#A DRAGONBORN'S JAW IS VERY FRIGHTENING OK?

[harpershigh-arch]

@whomuses

Jaheira’s eyes widened in an instant as she noticed the unmistakable gleam of intent in Caedes’ gaze, followed by the slow, deliberate opening of his massive jaw.

“Wait — oh no. No, no, no...”

Her mind raced, doing frantic calculations on the dragonborn’s jaw strength. Crush a skull? Probably. Snap a femur? Definitely. Break every rib in a druid’s body? If he was really invested on it...

Without hesitation, she practically leapt at him, hands flying up to clamp his enormous mouth shut just as those terrifying teeth got within chomping range.

“No need for those teeth, Caedes!” she exclaimed, laughing nervously while her hands gripped his snout tight. “See? I’m... uh... very much not on the menu tonight!”

As she gently petted his nose with one trembling hand, still holding his jaw shut with the other, she added sheepishly, “Just... let's find somethiing tastier for you to chew on, hm?”

Jaheira let out a shaky laugh, still very aware of how easily she could’ve become a dragonborn snack.

"Good... let's not make this a habit, alright?"

[frostsinth]

A Line in the Sand - Pt. 3

Intro - Part 1|2 - MasterList - Art - Art

Ok, so this is kind of a conclusion chapter, but I left it open ended in case I want to revisit these two later. However, for now I have no plan to continue writing them. Perhaps some quick one-shots in the future, of various little snipits in their life. I just wanted to feel like this was more closed so I can continue with some other projects.

This is of course for the always lovely and patient @ivymemnoch​ of her Monster Match character Devaraj the reptilian monster (I prefer Nessiim, since I couldn’t decide between lizardman and dragonborn and he’s somewhere between the two). I hope everyone enjoys this soft fluffy fluff.

Like what you see? Check out my MasterList above for more babbles and stories. Please consider BuyMeACoffee while you are there. I’m open for art commissions, so please DM me if you are interested, but no writing commissions right now. As always, drop me an Ask if you have any thoughts or questions, I love to hear from everyone!

How had I gotten myself into this exactly? I wondered to myself for the hundredth time as I dropped like a sack of flour to the stone ground. Narrowly avoiding the projectiles of rocks lobbed at me from the other side of the deep cave. They clattered loudly when they landed, snapping and cracking in a way that almost distracted me from the cave’s resident. Almost.

It, or rather, ‘he’ as Deveraj insisted, did not seem in any way to be a mere spirit. Not how I would have pictured one. If I had to think of a word to describe it, I would have said… ‘tree’. But it needed more words than the one. Big tree. MOVING tree. A tree with branches that bent and wriggled and swayed like vines. Also, ‘wet tree’ would have been accurate, for while the texture of the creature was distinctly bark-like, it slithered and slapped about as it moved. Dripping what I hoped was water and sloshing about as it did. It had no head to speak of, or at least, no face. There was definitely a top to its weird mass of vines and branches that spun out from an almost humanoid torso. But I saw no eyes, no mouth.

Devaraj tucked and rolled neatly, coming to my side. A grin I took as wry was twisting his long mouth, and I would have scowled had I not currently been so preoccupied. Before the Nessiim could say anything though, we both had to dodge to opposite sides as a slapping limb cracked on the floor between us.

I noticed, as the spirit’s attention turned on me, that it seemed to keep its numerous branches and vines in limb-like shape. Two thick long columns where one might expect legs. Two long, extending protrusions where one would expect arms. Occasionally, the branches and vines diverged, but they always twisted back into the shape once more. This became more obvious as the creature advanced on me. Reaching out with snapping, rolling boughs.

I squealed, but couldn’t dodge quickly enough this time. And its arm-like appendages slowly started to wrap around me. They were wet. And I decided based upon the gooey quality it was probably not water as I had initially hoped. I also came to the realization that I had been wrong before; it did have a mouth. Which revealed itself to me as the spirit slowly dropped open its gaping maw, stepping in slowly as it entwined its branches around me. Flashing sharp white fangs amid a cavernous darkness. My heart ricocheted around my chest and throat in a rising panic to escape my breast.

“Yes! Excellent! Keep him there!” Devaraj exclaimed excitedly. “He seems to like you!”

I wriggled, sweat breaking across my brow as I struggled to keep the creature from wrapping its arms any further around me. “The feeling is not mutual!”

“It’s alright, Sera!” He called. “He is just frightened! I can feel it!”

The reptilian man stealthed closer, his booted feet moving with surprising quiet across the stone cave. And despite the panic threatening to choke me… I realized the spirit’s movements had slowed to an almost standstill. Its branches still slowly weaved around me, smearing me with thick slimy goo as they did. But it advanced forward carefully now. It still had no eyes to speak of, but that gaping maw seemed to be panting as it approached. A bit of drool dripped in a long strand from the corner of it, and I winced and grimaced as it leaned in closer.

I turned my head to the side as the spirit brought its ‘face’ to mine, and I could feel its hot, wet breath against my jaw. I don’t like this. I thought to myself, my heartbeat so fast it was just a thrum beneath my skin. I don’t like this, I don’t like this, I don’t like this.

Devaraj’s deep voice reached me suddenly, murmuring in a strange, hissing tongue that seemed to form in his chest and move through his body without ever passing through his lips. The spirit appeared to pause at the sound of his voice, and I saw it start to turn back to look at him over his shoulder from the corner of my eye. Though I decided the word “look” was in liberal use now, as it still had no eyes to speak of. Still, it continued to curl tighter and tighter around me. Enveloping me in its slimy limbs, rubbing the rough bark against my skin. I was too busy struggling against its strong grip to shake in fear, but I could taste it plainly on my tongue.

As my employer stepped closer, I saw him lift up one palm, then gently place it on the creature’s shoulder. Those startling yellow eyes of his closed, and a soft hum seemed to fill the air. Curling tendrils stopped, and the spirit paused. Its head tilting to the side. As if it were hearing something I could not.

“There you are.” Came Devaraj’s thick voice. And at it, the spirit seemed to relax.

The tight branches wound about me suddenly came loose, and I dropped heavily back to the floor. I gave a soft gasp of pain as my bottom hit the stone, but was distracted by the soft glow now emanating from the chest of the spirit before me. Its limbs shrunk and twisted, its outline changed. My eyes went wide as a face began to form around the toothy mouth, which was shrinking itself. Into soft lips, and a delicate shape. The remaining branches tightened together, smoothing into one, and away purled the bark-like texture, leaving behind skin. Glowing blue-white skin, but definitely skin. And a distinctly human form.

He looked like he was formed of light. His eyes blinked (he had eyes now!), and he glanced over at Devaraj. I could still see his irises through his lids when he closed them. His whole body was mostly see through, but still had the distinctness of solidity. It was confusing, but also… strangely beautiful.

The spirit opened his mouth, and a soft breathy sound escaped it. It made a shiver slip down my spine and goosebumps run across my skin. I couldn’t hear words in the voice. But I saw his lips move in a poor imitation, as if he was forming something in his mouth.

Devaraj nodded. “Yes, friend. You are in the craigs beyond the town.” He replied, answering some question I had not heard. The spirit turned to face him more. “Do you remember how you got here?”

A slow head cock, a quizzical look pinching his brows. Again, that soft, breathy sound. It was almost like a whisper, breathed in and out through the lungs, but with no definition or shape to it. Nothing I could distinguish anyways. My employer did not seem to have the same issue.

“Ah, yes, I see. But she is not here.” The Nessiim gestured to me, and I stiffened as the spirit’s eyes turned back to me. “This is Sera, not your wife. Do you see her clearly now?”

I met those strange, glowing eyes nervously. Trying not to visibly shake where I still sat on the floor. Then suddenly, I felt a dull ache in my chest. A longing, a sadness. I was taken aback by it, and as I looked at the spirit, I could almost see those emotions blinking across his face.

“I’m sorry.” I told him, the words coming to my lips as instinctively as the air came to my lungs. 

Again the spirit seemed to tilt his head from side to side, and that whispering breathing speech came out after a long pause. His hand came up, and I stiffened as those glowing fingers wisped across the edge of my jaw. Tracing its shape down to my chin.

Devaraj chuckled, and I nervously glanced over the spirit’s shoulder at him. “He says you are very kind, Sera, and almost as beautiful as his wife.” The reptilian man explained, a mischievous glint in his sharp yellow eyes. “He is glad you came to help him.”

I blinked stupidly, then looked back at the spirit. He stared at me quietly for another long moment, and I felt a few beads of nervous sweat prick the back of my neck. Finally, he straightened, and spoke again. Devaraj did not answer at first, nodding along with what I imagined might be taken for a thoughtful expression on his face. At the end of his strange, whispering words, the glowing shape turned back to my employer, who bowed to him slightly.

“It would be my honor, good sir.” He assured him. “Consider it done.”

Relief flooded through me, rising from someplace deep in my heart. But I could not quite place where it had come from. Only I knew it was not mine, despite its strange familiarity. I watched as the spirit considered me one last time, then took a step back, fading into a soft, wispy twist of blue smoke. And then, just like that... he was gone.

“Come.” Devaraj intoned, turning towards the back of the cave we had entered not one hour before. I spent a few more moments blinking at the spot where the spirit had just been, not fully hearing him until he called my name from the far wall.

“W-what are you doing?” I asked, scrambling numbly to my feet and darting over. Glancing about anxiously as I shlucked the last of the goo from my arms in case the strange phenomenon I had just experienced would have a repeat performance at any moment. I decided it was probably be best to be near the larger man if that was a possibility.

He kneeled down, sweeping his hand delicately over a pile of what appeared to be rubble to me. “Fulfilling his final wish.” He replied, and his long, claw tipped finger hooked around his prize.

As he lifted the glittering necklace from amid the stones, his elongated mouth curled up. Twisting into that strange smile. Once a frightening smile, but now I couldn’t help but feel a mirror of it curl upon my own lips as his intense eyes met mine.

“What is it?” I breathed, a little surprised to be nearly as excited as he was. 

My heart thudded a few of its previously missed beats out of rhythm as Devaraj stood and the movement brought him precariously close to me. I swallowed hard to find the shape of my tongue in my mouth again as I had to drop my head back to look up at him. His scaly lips peeled back lightly to reveal his sharp white teeth, and his eyes seemed to sparkle with delight at my question. I didn’t even notice his big hand come around and clap lightly onto my shoulder.

“This, Sera, is the necklace of his wife.” He slowly brought it down, and nodded encouragingly as my hands hesitated to reach for it. “He asked that we return it to their shared grave. It seems some errant fools disturbed their final resting place, and he was wont to unrest until it was returned.”

I delicately cupped the ancient looking pendant in my hands, tracing one thumb over it. It felt warm, as though it had only just previously been removed from its seat at someone’s collarbone for my inspection. As my thumb traced the gem, a corresponding warmth pulsed in my chest, and I felt my smile soften.

“They must have been very fond of it.” I exclaimed softly, entranced by the way the dim light of the shallow cave caught the metal.

A rumbling sound came from my companion’s chest, agreeable and soothing. “I would agree. Such sentiment carries long after death. But come,” He squeezed my shoulder lightly, “Let us return it, so that they may once more be at peace.”

“Why was he all the way out here with it?” I asked, following behind him obediently with barely a side glance as we exited the cave. It felt different as we left. Less hostile and menacing. Now it was just… hollow. Lifeless stone, silent amid the small patch of trees.

“It seems the theft left him so enraged, he had quite forgotten his original purpose for rising.” Devaraj mused, lifting a low branch to allow me to pass with more ease. “He followed the would-be thief here, then was tethered to the place. Unable to travel far from it once the robber abandoned his prize and fled for his life. Unfortunately, this is a common story.”

I kept both hands clasped around the necklace, holding it close to my heart. It made me feel better, for some reason, and I didn’t bother to question it. “But how do we make sure no one tries to take it again?”

The corners of his lips twitched, and I saw his thin pupils flick to me out the corners of his eyes. “... Would you endeavor to take it, Sera?” He returned. “I am certain it must be quite valuable.”

I didn’t hesitate, shaking my head quickly. “N-no… Not this…” I paused, my step faltering, and slowly brought the pendant away from my heart to peer down at it. “It… it is too special…”

“I thought as much.” He sounded pleased, and my head jerked as I looked up at him in surprise. He bared his teeth at me, and his long tongue flicked out. “You have a particularly powerful dushrasha, Sera. I noticed the moment I met you.” I opened my mouth to respond, but he had already turned and was making his way between the trees to the open plains beyond once more. “As to your question, I shall make sure it is properly interred and warded against such things for the future. That should ensure the husband and his wife might rest in eternal peace together.”

“W-wait!” I stammered, clutching the necklace to my chest once more and sprinting after him. “What did you mean? What you said before, about my… um…”

“Your dushrasha.” He offered, but didn’t slow his long stride. Now that we had left the small copse of trees behind, I was finding it difficult to keep up with him on the beveled plain. “It is as I said, Sera.”

“You said… but…” I darted around to stand in front of him, blocking his path. “Wait!”

Devaraj stopped, the ridges of his brow raising slightly. I saw his tongue skitter out once more, and he tilted his great horned head to the side. “What troubles you, Sera?”

“You said you noticed the moment you met me.” I craned my neck back again to look up at him. “What do you mean? What did you notice?”

“It is as I said,” He sounded slightly puzzled, “Your dushrasha is particularly powerful. Especially for a human. I have not seen one its like since I first came to your lands.”

“... You can see it?”

He hummed softly at this, nodding slightly as if the reasoning behind my words was suddenly clear to him. “Yes, in a sense. I am a master prizrasha, after all.”

I waited, but when there seemed to be no further explanation forthcoming, I sighed heavily. I spared a glance about, hesitating, then looked down at the pendant still tightly clasped in my palms. It didn’t matter. I told myself. I was planning on leaving soon anyways. I didn’t need him to explain anything, I didn’t need to know... I should just be happy to be safe again. It seemed the longer I stayed with this strange man the more hazardous my life became… still, my chest burned with questions.

“... You are unsatisfied with this answer?” Devaraj suggested.

Again, I hesitated, then managed to find a bit of courage to look up at him. “I just.. I don’t understand…”

He nodded. “That is not a crime, Sera. You can not be expected to know everything there is to know.” He cocked his head to the opposite side. “Would you like to understand?”

I swallowed nervously again, shifting from foot to foot. “... I-if you think I can.”

The reptilian man scoffed, and his fat tail twitched. “Of course! I am happy to explain.” I jumped slightly as his big hand scooped into the crook of my elbow. “Come, Nur is not far from here. I can tell you more on the way.”

“I-I don’t mean to be a bother-”

“I can sense dushrasha,” He continued, interrupting me as if he hadn’t heard me speak at all, his hand still gently tucked into the bend of my arm, “In the way you might see light sparkling out of falling water, or in the mists.” He gave me a soft tug, prompting me to pick up my pace to match his stride, which he thoughtfully shortened to accommodate me. “Most I cannot ‘see’, so to speak, without some effort on my part. A… what is this word… meditation, perhaps, or a spell. Though these are still not the right words.” His tail twitched, brushing against the long grass with a soft rustling as we passed. “But yours… I can see it… no, I do not like this word either…” He fell silent, his long tongue flicking out as he debated it for a moment. “I can feel it.” Fierce eyes fixed on me, peering down over his scaled cheeks. “It is warm. I like how it feels.”

My pace slowed as I processed this, and again, he slowed to match. I hadn’t even noticed he had left his hand cupped around my arm. He turned me slowly to face him as I chewed it over, my thumbs absentmindedly running over the pendant clasped between them.

“... Does it mean something?” I asked, surprised with my own timid voice. “To… have a… um…”

His long tongue snaked out again, and his scaled brows raised as his lips pursed out slightly. Thoughtful, I decided, cataloging the shape his foreign features took in application of this. Every moment that passed, I realized I was finding him easier and easier to read. I shifted from foot to foot nervously.

“For the Nessiim, it is a blessing.” He began, seeming to pick his words as he went. “For us, warmth is… is everything. And so a warm dushrasha… Well, it is very near divine.”

“Divine?” I echoed, a little flabbergasted, already shaking my head. “I-I’m certainly not-”

“I know this is not your belief, Sera.” he told me, and I felt his hand slowly slide down my arm. Gently pulling one of my hands free from the pendant to cup in his. “But I would still like to keep you with me… If you would be willing.” He ran his clawed thumb out, pushing my fingers apart gently to run its pad over my palm.

I felt a hot flush rise to my face, and my breath stuttered in my throat. “O-oh, I-I mean…” My thoughts raced about a mile a minute, and I couldn’t quite seem to keep my heart in my chest where it belonged. I slowly pulled my hand out of his, and started to back away. “I don’t… I don’t know if…”

“Apologies, Sera,” He interjected quickly as I struggled to speak, “I am certain that came off as far too forward. I did not mean it to sound quite so… ah, what is word…” His big horned head cocked to the side. “I mean to say only that I enjoy your company. Your warmth.” Sharp teeth flashed out, and his elongated mouth curled up. Yellow eyes glinting. Comforting. Reassuring. I documented it, blinking at him slowly. “I would like to continue our relationship. And explore it further.”

“E-explore?” I mumbled, taking another step back. My heart skipping.

He nodded. “Yes! You are an excellent assistant!” His forked tongue appeared ever so briefly before disappearing back between his lips. The thoughtful look returned. “I am not sure if a human can become a prizrasha, but I would be willing to teach you, if you would like.”

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Oh.”

His gaze flicked over me. “You are surprised?”

I swallowed hard. “I-I thought you… umm…” I flushed an even deeper shade of red. “N-no, nevermind.” I suddenly remembered the pendant in my hand, and looked down at it. Thinking and chewing over everything he had just told me. “... You want me to be your apprentice?”

“Is this the word?” Devaraj replied, his voice curious. “Apprentice? I like it. It has a pleasant hiss at the end. Assistant has one at the beginning, but it is less satisfying. I cannot linger on it.” He nodded again. “You have a natural talent, I think, Sera. You might enjoy this work.”

I glanced over his shoulder at the craigs where we had encountered the spirit. “I don’t know…”

I jumped as the large lizard man closed the space between us with a single stride, and boldly took up my free hand again. I had to crane my neck back to look up at him, and his tongue flicked at the tip of my nose as I did.

“It is up to you, Sera, of course. I sense you are… restless with me still.” He ran his thumb over my knuckles, his chin angled down slightly. “Perhaps you wish to leave.”

I choked on my next breath. Had I really been so obvious? Or was that talent of being a prizrasha? A stab of guilt hit me solidly, and I thought to pull my hand out of his again. His fingers tightened around it as it twitched in his grasp. Gentle, cool to the touch, but firm. As if to tell me that it didn’t matter; he didn’t mind. It didn’t hurt him to know I had such plans. I felt my heart skip erratically at his touch, yet I didn’t fight his grip further. I was surprised to find myself… strangely comforted by it.

“I’m… I just…”

“I like you, Sera.” He told me as I dropped off again. “I like your wit, and your warmth. I like your curiosity, and your good heart. Much as you try to hide it.” I glanced up at him, and he curled his lips upward more softly. Fondness, I decided. A warmth of its own… I cataloged that expression in a special place beside my throbbing heart. “If you want to leave, I understand, and I won’t stop you… But I would like very much if you would stay with me.”

“You don’t know anything about me.” I half whispered, distracted by the way the fading sunlight glinted in his eyes.

He cocked his head back to the side. “Do I need to?” I twitched as his tongue flicked the tip of my nose again. “I don’t need to know your history to like who you are. I am certain you would share it with me in time, or that you do not wish me to know. Either way, it does not matter to me.”

“You don’t even know my name!” I argued.

His smile returned. “You are Sera. You have the warmth of the sun in your dushrasha.” One brow raised slightly. “... That’s what ‘Sera’ means, you know.” He nodded, and I decided this expression of his was smug. “It means ‘fiery one’, and we use it in greeting to the sun.”

I stared at him, slack jawed. “... You named me after the sun?”

His expression changed again, softer around the edges. I could see the subtle movements of the muscles beneath his scales. “... Yes. It seemed most fitting… and… I would court you better, if I knew how.”

I jerked as if he had slapped me. “C-court me??”

Another nod, but shallow. Timid. He was avoiding my eyes now. “Yes, Sera. I find you… fascinating. I like to be near you. I like the smell of you. But I do not know how humans approach this matter.” He shifted in place, still looking off to the side. “And I thought perhaps you would not find appeal in a Nessiim like me…”

I laughed out loud at the ridiculousness of that, bewildered and shocked. Did the man not know how handsome he was?? I stopped short as his eyes jumped to me, and felt my face flush hot as the realization hit me as well. Those fierce eyes shifted to the side again, and he seemed to curl back from me. He began to pull his hand away, and I felt my fingers suddenly tighten around his. Devaraj paused, looking at me with his scaly brows raised and his eyes wide.

“I-I… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh… I was just surprised.” I told him quickly. “I was… um… I didn’t think you meant to… ah…”

“I did not, at first.” He assured me softly, and I noticed him take a tiny step closer to me. A bit of his confidence restored as my fingers remained around his. “But… I have been thinking about it since we first met yesterday. It seems like masiimir, no? That of all the doors you could have opened, it was mine you walked through.”

“Masiimir?” I echoed, still flushed and my tongue feeling far too large for my mouth.

He shifted his jaw, obviously trying to find the proper translation and working his tongue around his mouth while he did. “Masiimir… ah, as if planned, yes? As if some higher being or power or such thing made it so we should meet. As if it was already written for history to remember that way.”

I shifted, glancing down at our hands. “Fate.” I told him softly.

His strong fingers squeezed mine gently. “I am a stranger to these lands. Yet in you I feel a piece of my home.” I peeked up at him through my lashes, and noticed him curl his thick neck down, his muzzle coming closer to my temple. “You were looking for a place to hide… and I offer you a place to belong.” He gave a deep, hissing sigh. “Perhaps I look into this too much, but… It is custom for Nessiim to begin courtship when they meet a potential partner. We are not ones for wasting energy on uncertainties.”

I hesitated again, looking back down at my hand which looked so tiny in his. I thought back over the last two days, and felt my heart flip a few times in my chest. I tried to press back the overwhelming thoughts and emotions that assaulted me. Tried to pull some sort of cohesiveness from their midst. It all seemed to crash into me at that moment. Everything that had happened. The strange draw I felt, the reluctance to leave.

“... Would you be alright with this, Sera?” He asked me quietly, and I realized we had been standing in silence for more than a few moments. “May I court you? It will likely be a fair bit experimental at first. I am uncertain how human courtship differs from Nessiim, but I am eager to explore it.” He cleared his throat, glancing off to the side. “But I will only pursue this if you are… erm… interested, I believe is the correct word.”

I swallowed, my head beginning to throb. “Oh… well…” I closed my hand tighter around the pendant still clutched in my other palm. Then glanced at our clasped hands again. I couldn’t hear anything beyond the thrum of my own heart, and I struggled to keep myself from quivering. “I… well…” My cheeks were so red, I was surprised they didn’t catch fire. I glanced at him out the corner of my eye again, and saw him watching me carefully with those intense eyes of his. I cleared my own throat. “I would… I-I would be interested...” I stammered out finally. “In you… ah, in you courting me, I mean.”

I jumped slightly as his nose nudged against my cheek gently, and I felt his tongue flick out to skip against my jaw. He dropped my hand, and skimmed his fingertips along my wrist and up to my arm.

“... For my people, it would be customary next to ask you to sun bathe with me.” He told me. “That we might share our warmth, and learn more about each other’s bodies.”

I nearly squeaked, but looked up at him. “Ah… W-would that require clothes?” 

He chuckled, a deep and rolling sound. “Humans are more reserved with their skins, yes? If it makes you more comfortable, it is the company kept that is important.” When I didn’t pull away from his touch, he snaked his hand around my waist, stepping closer so I had to crane my head back to look up at him. “But I would be pleased to once again share warmth with you, Sera.” He nudged me with his nose again, and I turned slightly to look at him out the corner of my eye. His fierce yellow eyes looked somehow soft in the afternoon sunlight. “Nessiim bond through touch... How do humans bond with their partners?”

I felt my pulse throb beneath my cheeks, and laughed nervously. “W-well… we uh… spend time together… we talk…” He nodded along with my words, and goosebumps raced across my skin as his tongue flicked against my collarbone again. “... We kiss…”

“Kiss?” He echoed, and my ears burned. “What does it mean? I like this word, the sound is most pleasant on my tongue.”

I shifted the pendant in my grip, looking down at it as I became flustered. “Oh… I-it’s… it’s hard to describe…” I peeked at him again, and felt my lips tingle as I did. A powerful urge came over me, and I swallowed hard. “Maybe… I should show you?”

He nodded eagerly. “I would like to see.”

I hesitated, feeling my heart thrum in my chest, beating recklessly against my ribs. I swallowed again, slowly slipping my hand from his. Again, I paused, belying a breath that skipped from my throat with a wispy quality, then gently rested my palm against his broad cheek. Then I debated how best to go about it, as his mouth protruded a fair bit from his face, and I realized it might not work the same. Could he even feel my skin against his scales? He did have lips, of course, but were they as… dexterous as mine? I gently used my hand on his cheek to tilt him into position, hesitating again. He watched me quietly, curiously. Finally, I leaned forward, and pressed my lips against the cool scales at the point of his snout.

Beneath my kiss, I felt the scales move, felt his mouth part slightly. I drew back after half a moment, flushing dark and uncertain. But suddenly, his arm hooked the rest of the way around my waist, and he tugged me closer to his body. Tucking me into the curve of his chest and craning his thick neck to nudge me gently with his nose.

“... I like this thing.” He purred, and I shivered to feel it move beneath my palm and through his chest pressed against me. “This… ‘Kiss’...” He nuzzled against me again. “... Is there a daily limit on ‘kiss’? Or can we do it more? I would like to try.” His long tongue flicked out, brushing across my lips.

I laughed shyly, tilting my head down to hide the bright scarlet color filling my cheeks. “No, there’s not a limit-”

“Good.” He interrupted, and I snuck a glance back up at him, my hand at his jaw coming down to rest against the broad scales on his chest. Devaraj’s mouth split, revealing his sharp teeth. “We must return the pendant first… but then I would like to explore your ‘kiss’ more, if you are willing.” His tongue came out again, skimming over my lips once more. I shivered with excitement at the touch. “And perhaps then I can show you what Nessiim do with their mouths...”

To be continued?

[dovakhiindrabbles]

Have you done anything for J'zargo or Kharjo, or even Derkeethus yet? IDK if it's even within your flavor spectrum, so you totally don't have to. But if you are ok with it though; maybe surprise us with a little story that involves 1 of them? 😻 Whatever prompt/story idea you want, I'm just really wanting to read something about 1 of them in your fun style!

Uh, hot take but the fact that I can’t marry Kharjo still upsets me a little to this day. I don’t entirely get why you can’t marry any khajit characters in general honestly, but that’s why I’m here – so I can write a fic where you can marry him

Anyways, I’d be super happy to write this prompt for you! I only hope that you have a marvelous day and enjoy!

———————————————————————————————————–

Someone had left you nightshade.  

It happened one foggy morning where mist brimmed on your skin and only the songs of a few wayward birds alerted you to the rising of the sun.  

You stretched your limbs and let out a yawn before slipping on your scattered boots and a heavy overcoat, the autumn chill thick in the air. You tipped back the flap of your tent to creep outside when the sight of a peculiarly bright purple caught your attention.  

It was nightshade – the deadly flower used in all sorts of poisons and venoms – a herald for danger in the stories you heard as a child. Even now it lingered in use of summoning the Dark Brotherhood – perhaps the most resonant symbol for difficult times.

A knot ensnared in your throat and whatever air was in your lungs vanished at the very sight of the sickeningly vibrant violet petals.  

“Oh gods…” You whispered with a suddenly shaky voice. You glanced around hurriedly, anything could’ve been lingering in those bushes and trees. “Gods, we need to leave!”  

You scrambled from your shelter and to the tent beside you where your companion, Kharjo, slept, flinging back the tent opening with eyes as wide as saucers, fear plastering your expression.  

Kharjo was already awake, sharpening one of his daggers when you arrived. His ears pricked up attentively and his pupils filled in grand inky circles – a smile tinging at the end of his lips.  

“We need to leave…!” You huffed out through your clenched jaw. “We need to need now!”  

Kharjo wrinkled his nose in confusion and leaned forward as he saw your evident panic. His hand clasping your own, gentle and soft, would’ve soothed your worries most any other time – but then, it only propelled your fear.  

If something happened to him… you wouldn’t know what you’d do. The very thought made your blood run cold. Your very lip began to quiver.  

“Slow down,” Kharjo squeezed your palm, his fur warming your snow-touched skin. “What’s going on?”  

You swallowed hard and ushered him out, your companion easily towering over you like a pillar to a fern. You pointed to the soft purple plant at your tent, almost annoyingly idle.  

“Someone left nightshade outside my tent,” You exclaimed. “I think the Dark Brotherhood o-or someone is after us! It’s too dangerous to stay here.”  

Kharjo’s ears drooped in an instant. His fur puffed out in embarrassment and even his tail swept sheepishly at the ground. “I… are you s-sure about this?” He rubbed the back of his sneck, biting the inside of his cheek.  

“What do you mean?”  

You were already bundling all your things together, even taking apart your tent in your urgency. This wasn’t something you were willing to wait for. “What else could it mean when someone leaves you a deadly plant?”

You shot up and pieces of your things scattered from your grip. You stifled a series of bitter curses. “I-I mean the damn thing is used to summon the dark brotherhood for their contact killings!”  

“Oh fuck-” An idea popped into your head that made you lose your grasp entirely. “What if it’s a threat? What if someone is going to send the Brotherhood after us?”  

Kharjo appeared to crumple further and further within himself. He couldn’t bring himself to move and though he’d never admit it, the fearless mercenary nearly forgot to breathe.  

“I ah – I think we should talk…” He took a few weary steps to you as you knelt down in some feeble attempt to collect your items once more.  

“We can talk once we’re on the move,” You spoke in a slurred mess of worry. “You should start packing!”  

“No, I shouldn’t,” Kharjo sat down beside you, his eyes so utterly drenched in color that softened alongside his voice. “because nothing is wrong.”  

You stopped to gawk at him in confusion. “Kharjo, I know we can take on anyone – we’re a good team but I’m not willing to take the-”  

A bit of quiet laughter slipped from Kharjo. “I never thought the Dragonborn would be so easily frightened.” His ears perked up and his smile couldn’t help but almost gift you the same.  

Ever since you’d met he’d had that sort of miraculous effect you hadn’t found with any other. Like a scale you both balanced one another out just so from the very moment your both intertwined as a stranger willing to listen to the stories of a simple caravan guard.  

You wrinkled your nose and a bit of indignancy bubbled to the surface. “I-I’m not scared for me!” The shroud of pride melted away as your shoulders sank and forced your nervous eyes to meet his own. The weight and worry pooling in your gaze as solid as stone. “I’m scared for you – of losing you.” You bit your lip, your words caught in tremors. “I-I can’t stand the thought – I don’t know what I’d do if… if I lost you…!”  

A few tears slipped from your eyes and trickled down your cheeks. Almost frantically, Kharjo raced to wipe them away, his fingers still brushing your face. “You’re not going to lose me! I’m fine, you’re fine and…”  

He swallowed hard, mustering a sheepish confession as his ears fell back against his head.  

“I… left the nightshade.”  

You heard the words but they didn’t quite process through your head for a good few minutes. However, once it did, your jaw nearly dropped.  

Like he’d spoken a foreign language your expression twisted into one of absolute bewilderment.  

“You… you what?”  

Kharjo’s fur puffed out in alarm. He scrambled for the flower still settled before what once had been your tent. He grasped it in his paws and unfurled, allowing you to see in the early sunlight.  

“It’s not what you think!” he urged. “I swear!”  

He folded his lips and frowned as he studied the petals like one may with a jewel. “In my home… it is a gift for loved ones – for protection – it’s to tell someone you care… that you…” He glanced away, red creeping to the bare tips of his ears. “you love them…”  

A period of silence passed between the two of you, two hearts, both beating with the strength of a pounding drum within your chests.  

Kharjo took in a sharp breath and wrinkled his snout with a suddenly hurried, embarassed tone. “B-Besides, when we first met you brought something precious to me, my amulet! I only thought I should return the favor.”  

He pushed the nightshade into your open palm, both of you hesitant to let the other’s hand pass your fingers.  

“I just want you to be safe… and know I lo-” He thought better of himself. “I care for you very much.”  

Everything about him eased in an instant – speaking just above a whisper. “I’m sorry I caused such a fuss, I truly did not mean for it.”  

He rose from his spot beside you and mindlessly began to collect his things, smiling faintly. “But as long as we’re ready, we may as well get back on the road. No use wasting daylight!”  

As if you could actually focus on packing now. Your stomach swarmed with butterflies and heat rushed to your face – to say the least, you roughly resembled a strawberry.  

You could barely pay attention to a single thing other than that silly Kahjit and his even sillier gift.  

It was without foresight, fragile, and ridiculously dangerous.  

But you loved it – more than words could describe and with simply all your heart.  

And you adored Kharjo.  

So, with as equally little foresight as your companion, you lifted yourself up, leaned down beside him, and pressed a chaste, gentle kiss to his cheek.  

Kharjo’s fur exploded outwards in what one could only describe as a ‘poof’. He whipped his head to you a gawking gaze and thinly lined pupils.  

You beat him to the first word.  

“I love you too.”  

He reached crazily for a sound – any coherent sound he could possibly respond to you with. It took far longer than he liked to admit.  

“Y-You… love me? I-I mean as I love you?” He sputtered a few nervous laughs. “N-Not that I’m saying I love you in a certain way! W-We could always forget this whole morning happened if you mean-”  

“I love you exactly as you love me,” You simpered. “I’m just sorry I don’t have a flower for you to show it.”  

Kharjo smile dso wide it must’ve hurt, pulling you into an embrace so tight and so tender in had no place in the icy tundra of Skyrim.  

“It’s not necessary. You are more than enough.”