Chapter Text
Talvas’ strength came back slowly but surely over the next few days. Initially, walking caused pain to shoot trough his legs and back, and numbness in his extremities prevented him from undertaking any further exercises. In due time, though, he was back up and moving around nearly as though he’d never been bitten, though with far less stamina. After a week, he could eat full meals without feeling nauseous and his general malaise lifted. He even expressed desire to return to Tel Mithryn, complaining that he couldn’t tell if he was cold because of the illness, or if the land was just too chilly for a hot blooded Dunmer.
“I suggest you take him out for a walk, see if you think him strong enough to make the journey. And if he has a chill, he probably would like to bathe.” Ormhela suggested, poking her head in as though she’d been eavesdropping.
“Hey, yeah, I haven’t been in those springs yet. Are they nice?” Talvas tilted his head towards Neloth inquisitively.
“Rather. Though before we add water to the equation lets make sure you can withstand a stroll around the grounds. Get dressed.”
“Of course, master.” Talvas began removing the woven tunic that Ormhela had supplied to change into his apprentice robes, but paused when he realized he wasn’t alone yet. “Um, master?”
“What is it?” Neloth asked flatly, as though annoyed by the delay.
“I, er, I’m about to change clothes.”
“I’m well aware.”
“Well, could you at least look away?”
Neloth hadn’t realized he’d been staring. At the sight of the violet flush on Talvas’ cheeks, he waved a hand in silent apology and turned to face the wall, arms crossed over his chest. He was unsure of the coloration of his own cheeks, but hoped Talvas hadn’t been paying close attention.
Within minutes, the two set off on a short walk. The snow crunched softly beneath their boots as they circled the ground, making sure to not wander far in case of a dragon or other attack, and they spoke in soft voices to one another, having conversations in a non-antagonistic manner which, until this week, Talvas had not experienced with Neloth.
“Legs feeling okay?” Neloth asked, hands clasped regally behind his back as he strode through the thick snowdrifts.
“They’re fine. My feet keep going numb and then tingly, but not for very long.” A light huff escaped the boys lips.
“You sound winded.”
“Not winded…” he huffed again, “but my muscles still feel very weak. At least they’re not sore. Oh, by the way, Van’sha mentioned we received a letter from Sirene this morning?”
“Who? Oh, the Khajit, yes. Indeed we did, she asked after your condition and offered to house us at the college before we depart. I planned to refuse, as she and her mercenary are getting a bit too cuddly for my liking.”
“With you, or with-“ Talvas paused to take a breath and lean against the fence, “with eachother?”
“Eachother. Look, if you’re already this winded we should-“
“No, master, I need to walk. This is good for me.” He huffed once more as he pushed off of the fence to continue forward. “Its just my clothes. I never realized how heavy all of these layers are before.”
Neloth could have argued with the boy, but strangely, he felt an aversion to the idea. The two continued onward in silence for a short moment.
Talvas glanced up at Neloth as they rounded the next corner. “Did she say anything else in her letter?”
“Nothing of note. She sent along a small sum of septims and thanked me for, quote, not letting her die.”
Talvas chuckled. “By the way master, I should do the same.”
“In what way?” Neloth stopped in his tracks as he saw Talvas spin around and lean in to embrace him. He flinched, but did not pull away.
“Thank you for not letting me die.” Talvas spoke, voice muffled by Neloth’s scarf.
Neloth was taken aback. Puzzled and somewhat embarrassed, he instinctively pressed his palms against Talvas’ shoulders to push him off, but found himself instead hesitantly snaking one arm to the top of Talvas’ head. He patted the boys crown gently, noting the tangles in his dark, silken hair. He was surprised at how comfortable this felt, and realized he’d grown more accustomed to Talvas’ embrace when he’d had to warm the sickly mer with his own body heat. He found it endearing all of a sudden, whereas just a few weeks ago he would’ve bristled at the idea. Wouldn’t he?
Talvas released his hold on the old mer, apologizing and smoothing Neloth’s robes back to their previous arrangement. As he stepped back to give his master space, he gazed around in wonder as he realized it had begun to snow. “Oh wow…” he uttered.
Neloth watched, amused as the boy stared at the snow in amazement. There was an innocence in Talvas’ eyes that he hadn’t seen before, as if he were seeing the world for the first time. It was cute. Neloth felt a desire well up in his chest. He felt like grabbing something. Squeezing until it burst, while simultaneously protecting it from the harsh truths of Nirn. He stood immobilized by the sight until a snowflake landed directly on Talvas’ pointed nose, causing him to scrunch his face up at the tickling sensation.
“That’s cold.” Mumbled Talvas. “So beautiful though.”
“You act as though you’ve never seen snow before.”
“Not like this. Its so… peaceful.”
Talvas was right. It only snowed on the northern half of Solstheim, and never as gently as this. In the last week, they’d contended with nothing short of blizzards and squalls rather than this lazily drifting blanket of snow they were greeted by now. Neloth fell silent as he attempted to see it through his apprentice’s eyes. It was very beautiful. Soft and light, comforting, casting a dull blue hue over the land and its waning light. He could barely make out the soft white glow of Secunda and the dimmer reddish color of Masser behind the thin clouds. Despite the falling snow, everything felt still. He looked back at Talvas, staring up at the moons in much the same way, and the urge grew stronger. He helplessly, repressing the feeling until Talvas began to shiver.
“Let’s head back.” Neloth blurted, spinning on his heel and making a full 180, leaving Talvas to catch up.
“W-wait! Master, wait for me!”
Eventually Neloth had slowed to allow Talvas to catch up. Too close, he thought, I almost did it. I almost kissed him. Teldryn’s words rang out in his mind like a catchy song , do you think that is something most elders do to their subordinates? Of course not. Breeching into intimacy, even. That was an incredibly intimate moment just now. I think you have feelings for him. “I do…” he whispered, ashamed of himself. “By Azura’s mercy, I do…”
“Do what, master?”
“I uh,…” think quickly “…do want to take a bath. The springs are incredibly refreshing and warm. Revitalizing.” He covered, not making eye contact for fear of Talvas seeing the pained expression plastered on his face.
A violent shiver ran through Talvas’ body as the frigid wind picked up slightly. “Th-that sounds nice about now. It’s f-freezing out here! Mind if I j-join you?”
FUCK!
He couldn’t very well refuse the boy, he was shaking like a small dog from this cold. This is how he found himself startlingly nude in the same hot water as before, Talvas close behind.
Talvas still struggled with some leg weakness, so he was aided into the water by the young Altmer, much to Neloth’s displeasure. He knew all of the staff here had seen Talvas nude at this point, but that fact hardly comforted him in this moment.
“Thank you,” Talvas uttered, a shiver running up his body as he submerged himself into the water. “By the gods, that’s nice…” He sighed ecstatically as he relaxed down until the water was up to his recently groomed beard. “Ahhh… Master Neloth you were right. This is exquisite.”
“By the way,” Amourinth interjected, “Madame has just done a treatment on the spriggans. It is what keeps them docile, but it does make them more fragrant. If you experience any odd side effects to their pollen, you may let the Madame know.” He bowed curtly and excused himself immediately.
“Effects? Like what?” Talvas asked quietly, looking to Neloth for answers. Neloth pretended not to have heard him.
He would find out soon enough.
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Talvas was completely flushed, cheeks, nose, and ear tips tinted purple as he tried to control his breathing. He felt as though his chest were heaving, and even below the water his skin was alight and more sensitive than he had thought possible. He looked over to Neloth worriedly, wondering if it had to do with the illness, but to his surprise, Neloth was showing the same signs. “Master… I don’t know if you’re feeling it, but-“
“It’s the pollen.” The older mer interjected. Neloth remembered the first time he’d been in the spring and how it had awoken certain urges within him; how certain anatomy had responded. This, however, was much stronger than the last time. And gods be damned, it felt good. “Whatever treatment the old woman does to keep the spriggans domesticated causes them to release a pollen with slight aphrodisiac qualities, in addition to removing their hostility.
“Slight? Master I’m-“he stopped himself. Was he really about to tell Neloth that he was rock hard and needed a wank?
But Neloth knew. A few moments passed in silence before one of them gathered the wherewithal to speak up.
“It’s perfectly natural, given the circumstances.” Mumbled Neloth.
“What?”
“I said it’s natural. In fact, it’s a good sign. Your circulation is improving. It seems that whatever that woman did to you worked wonders.” He paused momentarily, shifting uncomfortably as his own arousal bumped against his abdomen, begging for some friction. “Do you feel good?”
“I feel… incredible. All of the pain is gone, I think even that scar on my back has healed. But I also…” He couldn’t finish the thought; he wanted to say that he’d never felt so aroused in his entire life. Could he say that to his master? Would Neloth even want to hear it, even just out of scientific curiosity? He studied his masters expression, noting it looked as strained as his own. His eyes travelled downward over the sinews of Neloth’s neck and shoulders, his pointed beard and surprisingly plush lips. The multiple golden earrings nose bridge piercing glittered in the light of the torches, even through the thick wafts of steam that melted the snowflakes before they hit the water. “Uh… how do you feel?”
“Relieved.”
That wasn’t the response Talvas had expected. “What do you mean?”
“Talvas,” Neloth cleared his throat, clearly unsure of what he was going to say, but pushing through the uncertainty, “I could not bear to lose you. I… I hope you know that.”
Talvas was all at once overcome with surprise, relief, and an even stronger desire welling up from his core. What should I say? Should I do something? Gods… I want to touch him. He repressed the feeling, assuming Neloth would never approve. He himself wasn’t even sure if it was his own desire speaking or the effect of the spriggans. “I… thank you, master. For everything.”
“I…” Neloth began, words catching in his throat. He was unpracticed in speaking intimately or flirtatiously, but he felt his desire gnawing its way out of his chest, and had no choice but to shoot his shot. To try, and pray that Talvas would not run away. He reached out, sliding his fingers between the boy’s and leaning in closer. Talvas flinched, startled by the sudden advance, but relaxed in seconds. Their faces so close, hovering just centimeters apart. Talvas did not withdraw, but rather leaned in even closer, brushing his lips over Neloth’s, breath ragged in anticipation. Not quite a kiss, but an invitation, nonetheless.
Neloth locked in, pressing his mouth firmly to Talvas’, properly kissing for the first time in he didn’t know how long. He noted the sensation, like sparks exploding from a pit in his abdomen, and a warm tingling throughout his entire body. His heart thrummed loud and fast, and his hips twitched forward of their own volition. Talvas responded with a hand to Neloth’s chest and one to his hip. He felt so, so warm, and so full of want. The two twisted towards one another, simultaneously daring to make a further advance, and doing exactly that, back and forth. Another kiss, a nibble on an ear, and hands with minds of their own, running tenderly up and down the others naked body. It was hot, heavy, and very, very wet.
Momentarily, Neloth pulled away for a breath, and to ensure they were indeed on the same page. “Talvas, are you su-“
Talvas impatiently pulled him in for another sloppy kiss, unwilling to hear the whole question. He moaned enthusiastically in reply, hips rolling forward urgently attempting to make contact with something.
As Neloth gave in and advanced closer, his fingers brushed against Talvas’ cock, which stood fully erect and twitched at even the slightest sensation. Disappointingly, the slight brush was all of the friction Neloth was offering, and Talvas couldn’t take it anymore.
“M-“ Talvas pulled back momentarily. “Master…”
Neloth sat back in dread filled anticipation of words he hoped so dearly not to hear. Stop. We can’t do this. This is wrong. You need to leave.
“Please, please fuck me. I need you to fuck me.”
Oh. OH. Neloth was completely taken aback by the request. There was a primal desperation in the boy’s voice and eyes. Neloth could feel the pulse of Talvas’ need echoing his own under the waters, and wanted so desperately to give in.
“Are you sure?” He breathed.
Talvas nodded, and pulled Neloth back in for another insatiable kiss. Both moaned in tandem, and Talvas straddled Neloth’s hips, pressing his member against his master’s stomach. He began grinding up and down, savoring the friction, moaning louder and more desperately with each movement. Neloth’s head spun with arousal, his own cock bumping against Talvas’ rather firm ass over and over, daring to attempt to enter. He planted a hand on one of his apprentice’s thighs, squeezing, and moving slowly upward until he grasped at an ass cheek. The water was sloshing up the side of the spring as Talvas grinded, but neither of them paid any mind to the noise they made. The spring was empty for the most part. After a moment, however, Neloth grew dizzy with the heat and pushed Talvas back. Talvas replied with a needy whine, grasping at Neloth’s shoulders.
“Master, please-“
“Bend over the water’s edge.” Neloth commanded, voice dropping to his lowest, breathiest register. A shiver of anticipation ran up Talvas’ spine, and he obliged. It was a series of clumsy and unsure steps as he made his way to the pool’s edge. He shook, both from the cold and from the thrumming in his chest. He was a mess of desire and animal instinct, and it took everything in his will not to scream for more.
Talvas lay on his chest, bent over the side of the water as Neloth got out to grab one of the potions from the table, studying the contents, and returning to coat himself for smoother penetration.
“Are- are you ready?” He huffed, lost in the intoxicating air and Talvas’ pleas and moans.
“Please be, ah, gentle.” Talvas whimpered with a shiver, feeling his master prod against his entrance.
The initial push hurt, but they slowed down enough to let Talvas relax and the pain dulled, quickly disappearing altogether, replaced with pleasure. Neloth could then quicken his pace.
“Anh… that’s… incredible…..” Talvas whined, eyes lulling back in their sockets. He was lost in sensation as his master thrusted ever deeper into him over and over. It was so dirty, so wrong, so hot.
Neloth couldn’t help but pant animalistically; his hips burned after a few minutes of the repetitious movement, but his desire drove him to cast a stamina-restoring incantation on himself. Immediately the pain subsided enough for him to notice Talvas begging him to speed up, pulling him in with his bony heels and whimpering needily. Neloth obliged, but flipped Talvas onto his back beforehand. As he slid back in, Talvas arched his back, whining softly as Neloth’s length rubbed against his prostate.
“Talvas…” Neloth whispered, focused and aroused beyond belief. He thrusted harder, testing Talvas’ limits. At that moment, he didn’t seem to have any, as no matter what Neloth did, he begged for more. Neloth began to speed up his thrusts.
An ache so deep in Neloth’s stomach began to unwind as he fucked his begging apprentice, driving into his hot molten core over and over. It was wrong, a master fucking his student, but not wrong enough for either of them to care. “Fuck… Talvas…” Neloth whined. How long had it been since he felt this? These animalistic urges, primal instincts, they were unfitting for a wizard of his regard, but he could not care less in this moment.
“I’m …. Nh… I’m close…” The boy moaned, reaching his hand to his own length and stroking, hungry for more sensation. His words sent another shiver down Neloth’s spine, causing his hips to stutter. Quickly regaining rhythm, Neloth pulled Talvas’ hand away and his own replaced it, languishing on the ridge just under the head. He poured the rest of the lubricant onto his busy hand which in turn, slid with increased ease up and down the shaft. “Oh… fuuckk…” It drove Talvas wild, his back arched as his head craned back, eyes tightly shut. He wouldn’t last long like this.
In minutes, Talvas was at his zenith. “Dibella’s mercy… oh Master Neloth… Oh fuck… I’m cumming!” He cried, as ribbons of white spilled from his throbbing member in three separate spurts, glazing his abdominal muscles and pooling at his navel. Talvas mewled lustfully, legs shaking and hips twitching.
The noise of Talvas’ release brought Neloth to the brink of his own, which he announced with a choked cry. “NH…Tal…vas…NGH!” He cried, driving his cock as deep into the boy as physics would allow. He pulled Talvas into his chest tight, riding out his orgasm to finality with a few more untamed thrusts and grunts until he was reduced to a panting mess resting his forehead head wearily on Talvas’ collarbone
“Master…” Talvas whispered, breathless and sweating. He felt Neloth pull out, followed by some of his spilled seed, which dripped on his thighs. They were both breathless, drenched in what had to be thirty percent sweat and two percent ejaculate at this point. Talvas sighed, eyes closing and nearly slumping back into the water.
“W-wait.” Neloth stuttered, between post coital coughs. His head was just clear enough to worry about what their secretions could do to the water, and decided it would be better to clean off and head to bed for the night. It was surely big enough for two.