-rubs self all over page 4- MINE!

UPDAAATE~

Liam's bio now has a relationship box! I KNOW, RIGHT? LIKE, FINALLY. /slapsself

(Woo, I love novels! Have one back atcha! 8DD)

The rain was welcomed by Liam, even as he took shelter from it beneath one of the willow trees beside the pond. He looked out over the water, watching the fish twirl gracefully beneath the raindrops' ripples. It was a calming sight, indeed. He exhaled slowly and lightly shook his nape loose of rogue raindrops, feeling warmed by the presence of two more deer that slept around the tree beside him. Suddenly, for reasons that he could not explain, Liam felt a familiar presence approach from behind. The fur on his nape bristled curiously, his ears swiveling as he tested the air. That particular scent graced his olfactories, one that he knew very well. Caine...

The golden buck stood and turned to face the dragon-stag, his heart pounding in excitement and nervousness. He was happy to see Caine, but he was still a little unnerved by the fight that went on yesterday between him and the random stag. Liam believed the fight to be unnecessary; he wished that Caine could have just walked away. Then again, Liam was a pacifist and did not have the standard male desire to protect one's territory. Still...he knew that he and Caine were very much different, but that was not a bad thing at all...was it?

Liam returned the gaze and took a few steps forward, closing the distance between them a little. His ears swiveled as Caine spoke, and a very soft smile graced his lips. Caine was...apologizing to him? Liam could admit to himself that he never would have expected such, seeing as how arrogant the hybrid was...and so hearing those words touched him and left a warm feeling. "Oh, Caine...it is alright. I know you felt threatened by him, and you had every right to defend your territory. I...I just scare so easily, but it's not because of you. In the past I have...had my share of aggressive encounters, but not on my part. I just become frightened when fights happen, because I fear that someone will get hurt. Please believe me when I say that you yourself did not frighten me," Liam replied quietly, chewing on his bottom lip as his cheeks flushed. He felt so embarrassed...why did he have to be so sensitive? He was shivering like a helpless doe yesterday! He must think I am pathetic...

The young buck regarded the hybrid with nervous eyes when he paused, the silence seeming to last forever. When Caine spoke again, the concern in his voice was so very clear that Liam almost took a step back in surprise. He did not expect the hybrid to ask if he was okay, and that warmed him greatly. Does he...does he really care for me? He wants to ...protect me? Oh, Gods...dear, sweet Caine... It was then that Liam remembered: he had been hit a couple of times due to foolishly stepping between the feuding stags, but he was not sure which stag was the force behind them. He had a scrape on the inside of his left front leg and along the side of his jaw leading down to his neck, but he prayed that they were not noticeable. He did not want to bring that up with Caine...the hybrid would only feel more terrible, and may even become angered and look for another fight. No...it was nothing. He would not mention it.

Cautiously, Liam leaned forward a bit to sniff reassuringly at Caine's mask, and then shook his head slowly with a small smile. "No, Caine...I am alright. I...I am fine, really. It's...it's okay, really..." His voice trailed off for a moment as he tried to figure out what to say next, but the words just found their way out on their own. "You say you wish to protect me... You have no idea how much that means to me, Caine. I...I never thought I would ever meet any deer who would do such a thing for me. For this, I thank you. Thank you... Sometimes I think the Gods crossed our paths," he continued softly, his blush reddening slightly, and he had to stop himself from planting a small kiss on the bony muzzle. No...that would not be a good idea. And then, he remembered.

"And...I am so very sorry for nuzzling you, Caine. I know it makes you uncomfortable, and it broke my heart to do it...but I knew it would make you back off or distract you, at least for a moment," he explained in a shaking voice, and let out a sigh. "It was stupid of me, I know. I...I promise I will never do it again, Caine. ...unless you'd like me to." The last sentence was meant to be spoken in Liam's mind, but it somehow found its way out in, thankfully, a very soft breath. He prayed that Caine had not heard it.

jhsujsfjsgh;

Thank you so much, Pan! ;_; ♥

Liam's heart sank a little at Caine's reply. He had expected him to react as such to the nuzzling fiasco, but deep down he had hoped that the hybrid would have reassured him that it was alright...that he did not mind. No...don't be stupid. He does not like me like...that. He's just frustrated with me. There's no way he's attracted to... The golden buck blinked as he took in the emotions that Caine was giving off. He was frustrated, yes, and embarrassed...but not because of the fight. The hybrid was trying to hide something, but what was it? Could it be that he really...felt a certain way toward Liam? Is that why he wants to protect me? ...no, don't be foolish. There is no way. Why would any stag like him want to deal with a pathetic, doe-like creature like me?

As much as he wished to believe that Caine felt as such, Liam forced himself to push those thoughts aside. He was overlooking things, and it was going to get him into trouble. Caine was already wary around him...Liam was not even sure how he still tolerated him after what he did yesterday. And so, Liam lowered his head and nodded slowly, exhaling in defeat. "I will not do it again, Caine. I...I am so sorry... Please forgive me..." Punishment? No, never...it hurt Liam that Caine would even treat it as such. The golden buck bit his lip and lowered his eyes, his heart heavy.

The slip, of course, was unexpected. And, of course, Caine's profane shouting scared roughly ten years off of Liam's life, making him jump a few feet in the air and fall onto his own back. He lay on his back for a moment, staring wide-eyed up at the gray sky in bewilderment, not even blinking as raindrops landed on his face. All four of his legs were in the air, frozen in place. Indeed, he had been startled into premature rigor mortis. "Wh-wha...?" was all he could manage, forgetting for a moment that Caine had, indeed, slipped in a comical fashion.

As bright and humor-filled as Caine's laughter was, Liam didn't even really notice it as he continued to stare straight up. His chest rose and fell quickly as he tried to process what had just happened. The small of his back ached, and he temporarily had the wind knocked out of him...and then it all came rushing back. He had completely spazzed out right in front of Caine and made a fool out of himself. A flush rose in his cheeks, and he managed an exasperated sigh. Now he's never going to take me serious, if he even did to begin with. Good one, Liam.

And then, Caine was standing over him...looking down at him. Liam froze as he gazed up at the bigger stag, his throat going dry and his heart pounding wildly. Time seemed to slow down and even stop entirely as Liam stared into Caine's eyes, seeing how much they were filled with warmth and mirth. He then found himself taking in Caine's sheer physical power: the scales beneath his fur, the leathery wings mounted upon his shoulders, the lean and defined muscles... Oh, Gods... Liam's cheeks had never been so warm in his life, and he felt like he had been holding his breath for hours. A tingle formed in his belly, a warm and pleasant sensation that spread to his hooves.

Liam then blinked when he realized that, oh yeah, Caine was talking to him. Thankfully he caught what the other stag was saying, and he laughed nervously along with the hybrid. It was then he noticed that he had begun to instinctively lean up a little, neck extended... No... He quickly sank back down and remembered to exhale, finally. As Caine stepped over him, Liam flicked his eyes up...and miraculously, he didn't suffer a nosebleed. Liam shook his head, as if ridding himself of his embarrassment, and then quickly jumped up and trotted after Caine as if he were to disappear any second. "Y-you look fine...despite the fall, I mean," Liam replied absently, mentally smacking himself for sounding like a blubbering fawn. Gods...get a hold of yourself already!

Liam's whole body froze up at Caine's teasing words, his heart beating anew with nervousness and excitement. Oh, Gods...did I imagine that? The invitation was...oddly enough, a thrill. But should it really be? After all, it was just a quick bath. Many deer bathed with each other. But, it was the way he said it... And that looks...Gods! Liam swallowed hard, the lump in his throat stubbornly refusing to go away. His whole body was aflame as he returned the intense gaze, although he was sure that it was less suggestive and more bewildered.

Move, you idiot!

Shaking his head and drawing in a shaky breath, Liam continued to trot after the demon-stag, catching up with him to the Crying Idol. Liam almost stumbled into the creek as he followed Caine's example, and he ducked beneath the Idol's tears as well. He sighed contently as the pleasantly cool water washed the dirt off of his back and neck, and when he was satisfied he backed up and shook his fur dry. Well...dry enough, considering it was still raining. The golden buck grinned nervously, fanning his tail proudly. "That feels so nice, despite the rain!" he said absently, yet against mentally smacking himself. Could he not converse like a normal deer at all today?

Liam had enough time to gasp when Caine gently bumped him, sending him flopping into the shallow water onto his back. He jumped back up quickly, laughing and shaking his fur. "You bully! You did that on purpose, I know it!" Liam called out with feigned anger, a huge grin on his face. Turning quickly, he kicked up his hind legs, sending a healthy torrent of creek water up into Caine's face. Liam looked over his shoulder and stuck out his tongue while making a funny noise, wagging his rump slightly in a playfully mocking manner. "Have a taste of your own medicine!" he giggled, prancing in a circle gleefully while still ankle-deep in water.

To see this playful side of Caine was such a relief, and oh, how Liam loved to play! Despite the rain, the day was getting cheerier, and the awkwardness of not a few minutes ago was quickly being forgotten.

The smaller buck was having too much fun as the two played water tag, not flinching once even as Caine lunged and nudged him. He was surprising himself with how comfortable he was becoming with the hybrid, and in such a short amount of time and after so much awkwardness. It was a miracle, if anything; he doubted any other stag would have given him the time of day after such incidents.

Liam giggled at Caine's retort, and then gasped when the other stag nipped his rump. He stood frozen in mid-stride, eyes wide and mind reeling as he tried to process what just happened. Yep, the pleasant stinging in his rump was evidence enough that he did not, in fact, imagine it. The force of Caine bolting by shook him out of his trance, and despite his initial surprise he laughed gleefully. He bounded after the dragon-stag, tail flagged high, and he dove alongside his friend into the deeper water. They continued to frolic for a while, and Liam never felt uneasy with the threat of Neath or even the deep water itself. He was with Caine, and so he was safe. At that moment, absolutely everything was right in the world, and Liam had never been happier.

~~~

((Daneth is a bit jealous of Miss Alexis’s company…he’s been warding off any stags that get too close. (only ones I know of course!) He doesn’t know Liam doesn’t like does! ))

Yeah, I know Liam was probably just having a moment with Caine buy the pond but Daneth was just all, "OMG, stag getting too close to my women! Argh! )) LOL. As usual, it's the little things that amuse me.

_{T r a ck}

@ Matthieu~ Thank you! 8D

Oh goodness, I love drama just as much as you do! XD However...Caine is in a position where he is willing to fight anyone who threatens Liam, and he does not give up. He's quite protective~ D: However! When Caine is not online and Dane is roaming around, I would totally be fine with having the big guy give him a bit of a hard time. After all, they'll have to get to know each other better at some point anyway! XD

Haha, indeed! I look forward to interacting with Dane~ 8D G'night, and thank you!

"Do you like sitting under rain?..."
Saburo was very curios why Liam sit on grass, when it's cold and raining ^^

Liam started a little at the voice, and he shook himself out of his daze. Blinking, he looked up at Saburo and smiled. "Oh...hello. I don't mind it much really. I've missed the rain...it feels wonderful." c:

@ ickydog ~ Thank you so much, hun! ♥ Hm...really? That is odd, it shouldn't be... D: I'll fiddle with the colors and see what I can do~ ^_^

Hm...that could be! There have been some strange goings-ons, that's for sure. It could also be hard to see if the lighting on her computer is dimmed; I kind of purposely made the font not too bright. But, like you said Lady, it could have been one of those funky bio-errors. =/ Thank you for the added input! c:

oh, and happy birthday (:

OMG I ALMOST FORGOT WITH MY GF NAGGING ME. -shot-
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU TOO COLBY! <3
*whips this at violently*

Omg!!!

Thank you so very much for the birthday wishes, everyone! You have no idea how happy I felt when I checked the community today; thank you so much again! I love you all~ ;_; ♥

JHSUFGDSGFU HAN

Your sketches are so AWESOME. I'ma comment on 'em right away! <3

Awww Dinamo...gahh, you are too sweet! Thank you so, so much! And, you needn't worry about that; the birthday wishes are a wonderful present in itself! 8D *squishes!* <3

((Hey, Happy Birthday to you! Hope you had a good day!))

((Liam has just come upon Daneth after a brutal attack by another stag that sort of took him by surprise. He’s limping and beat up and is afraid Liam has come to attack him while he’s down since he ran him off from his does the other day ))

Daneth limped through the forest, bleeding from several large gashes from his fight with the angry red stag. He’d had no idea why the stag had attacked him and he’d been caught unaware. The stag had gotten several good hits in on him before he was able to fend him off. When the golden buck approached, he watched him warily, leaning against a tree and panting. He was still quite winded, he wasn’t ready for another spar. He tried to limp away but fell to one knee, scraping it. He grunted in pain and got to his feet again. The golden stag had come a little closer. He tried to snort threateningly but the effect wasn’t very intimidating, since he was leaning against the tree again.

(Gah sorry, Liam had to leave just for a sec; a friend needs him to cast the devout spell~ 8D)

The young buck breathed a small sigh of relief when the stag made no attempt to attack him after all...or even tell him off. His voice was rough and deep, but there was a gentleness to it that made Liam feel a little more comfortable. Liam nodded his head as the one named Daneth spoke, and he gingerly took a few more steps toward the wounded buck before lowering himself to the ground beside him. Turning his head, he looked Daneth over and frowned. The buck was large and powerful, truly, but the wounds were fierce. "Would you like some help? If those wounds got infected, it could be devastating. I have some knowledge of the healing properties of herbs," Liam offered quietly, softly chewing on his bottom lip.

(Eep, alrighty then! Have a good night, and thank you! <3)

A soft smile graced Liam's features when the stag accepted his offer. It was truly a relief; not only was he being friendly, but he was not stubborn enough to refuse help. The golden buck just couldn't sit by and watch a fellow deer suffer, and now would be a good time to practice what his old mentor preached. The young buck bowed his head gratefully and replied, "It is a pleasure, Daneth. My name is Liam." He then stood and gave a little bow out of habit, and then gently nudged Daneth's muzzle with his own. "I shan't be long; there are special flowers not far from here. I will be back," Liam explained, and then galloped off quickly.

Indeed, he was not gone for more than ten minutes, and he returned with a bundle of yellow flowers between his teeth. His brow knitted in concentration, he dropped the flowers atop a smooth rock and ground them up with his hooves, and then using the tip of his muzzle he applied the paste to Daneth's wounds. "I am sorry...this will sting, but it will help. It will curb infection and clean out the wound," Liam said softly as he went about his work, silently thanking Ishibaba for having taught him at least the basics of common herbalism.