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Part 4 of The Heart Is A Muscle And I Want To Make It Strong
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2022-09-10
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2023-04-18
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13/13
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Winter with the Wolves

Summary:

Aiden spends his first winter at Kaer Morhen among the wolves. Lambert’s family may not approve, but neither are going to let that stop them being together.
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In which Aiden learns a whole lot about why Lambert is the way he is, Lambert finally understands that he’s worth a whole lot more than he thinks, and Vesemir realises he may have been a little too hard on the youngest witcher of Kaer Morhen.

Notes:

This fic has also been cross-posted on my Tumblr - as ever, be mindful of the tags before you read :) Really excited to share this series with you so any feedback is appreciated!
Also a HUGE thank you to Wians who's been beta reading this fic for the past few months and making sure it's actually readable - I wouldn't be able to do this without you and your kindness is unparalelled!!!

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Despite the throngs of drunkards bumping into Lambert every few seconds as they brushed by, the witcher could safely say he was in a good mood. The crowded inn at the centre of Ard Carraigh was usually hell for Lambert, full of too many people, too many scents and too much noise for comfort. But with Aiden there, even across the room keeping a table for the two of them, Lambert felt as if he could face anything. 

Sure, the nerves he’d been feeling for the last day or so were still there in the pit of his stomach - he was on edge at the prospect of introducing Aiden to his family, but they were muted and manageable – no longer making Lambert want to isolate himself and snap at the word as he usually would. If anything, the low-level nerves made him more inclined to seek Aiden out for comfort.  

And wasn’t that fucking strange. 

Even after two very illuminating winters alongside Aiden’s family, Lambert didn’t think he’d ever felt that way about anyone before. Usually when he felt anxious, the presence of others exacerbated his bad mood, yet Aiden seemed a balm to heal all wounds. Lambert had never thought he’d want Aiden to meet his family either – yet there they were; on their way up to Kaer Morhen. No matter how much Lambert tried to tell himself it was stupid, he couldn’t help  yearning: He had to show Aiden where he grew up and what made him the man he was today. The urge to share that part of himself with the cat was as thrilling as it was terrifying. 

Lambert leant his weight against one arm, laying his forearm flat across the bar to keep the space clear for himself. The tavern was crowded with stumbling patrons, bumping and bustling as they stood around chatting. The last thing Lambert wanted was an argument to start after someone tried to muscle past him to get their drinks first. 

There was a harsh jolt at his back as someone crashed into him, head colliding with Lambert’s shoulder blade. He couldn’t suppress the urge to sigh when he felt his back  damping with some watered-down mead. A woman’s voice came from behind him, slurred as she apologised and stumbled off into the crowd. Lambert just grunted in return. They weren’t worth the effort. Instead, he kept his gaze on the bar, trying to catch the eye of the innkeeper to be served. 

The town outside was chilly even during the summer, but now, close to the first snows of the year, it was almost freezing. Inside the inn, though, it was toasty – almost uncomfortably so in Lambert’s view. There were so many people packed into the relatively small building that he imagined even the most oblivious of them could smell the beer and stale sweat wafting through the air. That being said, it was easy to see why the tavern was so busy – the company seemed good and the drinks better than usual. Unlike most of the places Lambert and Aiden had frequented in the past, Lambert didn’t think he’d seen a single brawl, or even a whore milling about since they’d arrived. Evidently, this inn was a little more upmarket than the places they were used to. 

When the innkeeper caught Lambert’s eye he smiled, which the witcher appreciated – even if it was tight lipped with caution swimming behind his eyes. Lambert was used to that kind of suspicion; however. He simply counted himself lucky that he and Aiden had been allowed inside in the first place. The people of Kaedwen weren’t known for their hospitality, after all. 

“What can I get ye’?”

“Two double vodkas.” Lambert could only assume that whatever they’d get would be watered down so a double would likely be the equivalent to a single measure here. The man dipped his head in answer before enquiring further. 

“And will you and your friend be eatin’?” His eyes flicked over to Aiden at the other side of the room. The cat was tipped back on one of the rickety old chairs, knee pressed into the side of the table to steady himself as he cleared the dirt from beneath his fingernails with the tip of his knife. He seemed oblivious, without a care in the world, but Lambert knew he was likely listening – even from over there. 

“Ah, no. We’re good thanks…” The two of them had eaten a rather large meal around lunchtime, Lambert having snagged a deer on the journey to the town. It was more than enough for a single meal with much to spare that the two of them had dried for the coming trek to the keep. What they’d eaten earlier would tide them over until the next breakfast, at least. 

When they’d arrived in the town in the early evening, they’d both had full bellies, so arranged for a room upstairs, coming down a little later to drink before bed. This was the last major settlement before they reached Kaer Morhen, and as much as Lambert maintained his hatred for the common folk, they were making the most of civilization while they could.

With a grunt, the innkeeper turned to begin preparing their drinks.  

Lambert tossed a couple of coins down onto the counter. It might have been a little more than what the drinks were worth, but he was feeling unusually generous (Aiden always seemed to have the effect on him, the bastard. Lambert hated him for it.). Plus, it compensated for the innkeeper’s willingness to put up with two witchers in his establishment which Lambert knew had probably turned some patrons away. 

He glanced back at Aiden who was still  keeping the table for them both. When their eyes met across the room, Aiden shot the wolf that little half-smirk he often did, a dimple appearing on one side of his face that was unfairly attractive. It settled something in Lambert to know that Aiden was there and watching over him – even if Lambert wasn’t someone that particularly needed protecting. 

Already, he knew he’d enjoy having Aiden close to him this season, no matter what his family had to say about it. It might have been greedy (but then again, Geralt had been bringing his bloody bard to the keep for years now), but Lambert didn’t care. What had they ever done for him, anyway? After all the shit his school had put him through, Lambert reasoned he deserved a little happiness. 

A half-full metal flagon slid across the smooth top of the bar towards Lambert, pushed by an unknown hand. Unthinkingly, Lambert reached out to still it, only remembering that it wasn’t his own as his fingers touched the cool rim. He squinted down at the drink for a brief second, baffled by its appearance. 

And then, all at once, a presence came up on his right. Someone slid up alongside Lambert, just as the flagon had done, right into his personal space before Lambert could so much as open his mouth to protest. The interloper rested a hand on the bar but lent away, almost caging Lambert between himself and the patrons behind who conveniently had their backs to him. Unbidden and unwanted, the stranger set a hand on Lambert’s chest. Needless to say, Lambert’s entire body tensed, muscles pulled taunt and ready to fight or flee at the unwanted advance. 

His medallion trembled against his shirt and Lambert grew tenser still, clenching his jaw tight enough that he was certain he felt a tooth crack. 

This was a mage. 

The stranger wasn’t physically intimidating. His kind never were. But there was a horrid, stifling aura about him as he trailed a finger down Lambert’s sternum. His smile was something sickly and coy that had the witcher’s stomach rolling and dropping. While the mage may have been short and slight, his presence still had Lambert freezing and quaking in his boots. 

He’d always hated mages – even before the Trial of the Grasses. 

They’d always been cruel to Lambert and his year-mates in an aloof sort of way that was impossible to prove to their instructors. Though he doubted any of the senior witchers would have cared even if they could have proved their mistreatment. Lambert swore he’d even seen one of them kick a chicken once. 

The Trials had morphed that hatred into fear for many, Lambert included. The mage in charge of his own ordeal had laughed as Lambert screamed, taunting the crying boy even as his veins burned with poison. The mage had seemed to take great pleasure in injecting Lambert in the most painful of places, prolonging his suffering for as long as possible. Even decades later, Lambert still remembered how he’d begged for death more than he’d begged to survive the ordeal. 

The man who stood before Lambert wasn’t the mage that had tortured him, but he had the same self-assured lofty way about him. It was as if Lambert had been plunged into a vat of frigid water – which he often had been as a trainee, mostly for the mage’s curiosity and pleasure. 

“Ah, what’s this?” The mage’s voice was silky smooth yet it made Lambert recoil. “A wolf out of his den, and so close to winter, too? Do you need somewhere to rest your head for the season, witcher? The rest of your pack cast you aside?” Lambert flinched at the prospect. He feared the abandonment and rejection of those he cared for almost as much as he feared mages. The witcher couldn’t help but wonder if the mage knew that, if he’d looked into Lambert’s mind and seen his insecurities, if he was doing it on purpose. 

He probably was. Mages were like that. 

Lambert tried to take a step back yet there was nowhere for him to go, no method of escape without the use of force. The bar jabbed into the small of his back, halting Lambert’s retreat. The mage advanced. He was well and truly pinned. Though the rest of Lambert’s face paled, his cheeks lit up with the realisation, the humiliation that came with being terrified of someone half your size. He hunched his shoulders to make himself seem smaller, less of a threat and less worth the effort to the mage. 

“I-I-I…. n-ot-“

“Aww, little witcher…” The mage cut him off, voice silky smooth and making Lambert want to throw up in his mouth. “We could have so much fun together, though! From what I’ve heard about witchers at Ban Ard, I know we’ll have fun… and forgive me if I’m curious to see what other assets you have other than those bulging muscles of yours…” 

His smile did nothing to set Lambert at ease. The taller man couldn’t so much as swallow, or even breathe . It felt as if he were choking and sinking into the floor, the world around him shifting and rolling nauseatingly as a cold sweat started to drip down his back. The scent of his own fear was thick in the air, only adding to the queasy feeling in his stomach. Lambert wanted to do something, anything – fight or flee. But he was powerless to do anything more than stare and stutter as the man sauntered closer and dragged his hand down Lambert’s abdomen. 

As the mage’s fingers trailed to the hem of Lambert’s trousers, he was sure he was going to cry. Why couldn’t he move? More than anything, he wanted to run or push the offending hand away, but it was as if his limbs had turned to stone. He hadn’t felt like this since…

Abruptly, the hand was gone; and Lambert could feel a second presence pressing in close. 

“Excuse me.” 

Lambert’s eyes flew open.

Aiden.

Everything would turn out alright now – Lambert knew it. Even if they ended the night being chased out of the town, they’d still have each other.

That thought calmed  Lambert a tad, his shoulders creeping down from where they’d climbed up to around his ears. He knew, though, he wouldn’t be able to relax completely until they were out of the town and away from people altogether. Lambert could finally swallow again, and that was enough for now – even if he did feel pathetic and meek at the fact that Aiden had needed to intervene  in the first place. 

Surprisingly, the mage’s eyes lit up when Aiden grabbed him by the wrist. The man evidently had no idea of  the amount of danger he was in. 

“Oh! There’s two of you! Even better.” That kinky, entitled whoreson. Aiden grinned back at the mage, lulling the man into a false sense of security. Lambert predicted there was a high chance the mage wouldn’t survive the night with the way Aiden was looking at him. Perhaps being chased out of the town was more likely than he’d first thought. 

Though Lambert was usually against murder, he thought he might let Aiden get away with this one without a lecture. Just this once. 

Lambert no longer felt cold. 

Aiden stepped up to the mage, still smiling. Though it escaped the other man’s attention, Lambert noted the way Aiden used his broad shoulders, subtly slipping himself between the interloper and Lambert. 

“Hmm,” Aiden was a worryingly good actor when he wanted to be. “I don’t know if you can handle it?” Even if it was fake, the coy smile on Aiden’s lips was devilishly handsome. As the cat had no doubt intended, the mage was only drawn in more by his expression, pressing as close to Aiden as he could. 

“I’m sure I can…” the man purred. “I know how the order of things stand…” Lambert’s stomach clenched when he realised what the mage was likely referring to. Ban Ard really did seem to instil a sick sense of authority over witchers in all its students, it seemed. 

Aiden put a hand on the man’s jaw and tilted his face upwards towards his own. The mage’s eyes went dark and half-lidded, assuming that Aiden was about to kiss him. There was a brief moment in which Lambert thought the same, though he’d be pained to admit it. 

But then the predator in Aiden snapped and he clenched his fingers tight, nails digging into the man’s cheeks painfully. Aiden’s gaze hardened and with the mage’s face held as it was, he couldn’t cry out in pain or for help and make a scene. Lambert’s love lent down closer, until he was practically spitting in the mage’s face when he next spoke. 

“I doubt you’d be able to handle either of us once I’ve bitten your tiny little cock off…” Aiden used the same sickly-sweet tone as the mage, yet on this occasion no deception could be found. The man’s eyes went wide at that, and he tried to speak. It proved impossible with Aiden’s hand still digging into his face but no matter – neither witcher was particularly keen to hear what else he had to say. “Still wanna spend the night with us?”

The mage shook his head, though the movement was barely there due to the strength with which Aiden still gripped his chin, leaving fingernail shaped welts along his jaw. It was the first smart move the man had made all night, in Lambert’s view at least. 

“Good.” There was nothing kind about Aiden’s smile. “Get going.” He slapped the mage on the ass for good measure, just to humiliate him a little more. As ordered, the mage scarpered away with his tail between his legs, pushing rudely past patrons to get to the exit as quickly as possible.

Aiden’s stormy gaze stayed on the mage until the door swung shut behind him. Lambert was disappointed it didn’t hit him on the way out. His chest loosened somewhat, muscles uncurling from their defensive position, but Lambert knew he wouldn’t feel much better until he’d worked off his fear-fuelled adrenaline.  

Less than a heartbeat passed between the slamming of the door and Aiden whirling around to set his wild eyes on Lambert again. 

“Are you alright, Lambs?” Aiden’s eyes were dark, pupils blown wide. Lambert knew the cat’s every sense was on high alert for any other threats to the two of them. Though the shorter of the two couldn’t deny he was shaken up, he gave Aiden a stiff nod, cheeks flushing scarlet. 

A whole span of emotions swirled and fought in Lambert’s gut. They ranged from fear and humiliation to something hot and swooning at the way Aiden had leapt to his defence. No one else would have done that for him, Lambert knew. Not even his own brothers, unless a punch had already been thrown. As much as the wolf hated the idea of being a damsel in distress, a burden that was unable to take care of himself, there was a certain appeal to the role he hadn’t considered. It wasn’t often that Lambert was swept off his feet. Like this, he was able to appreciate Aiden being all strong and brave where normally on hunts, he’d be too distracted to give it the attention it deserved. 

The meek shyness Lambert felt, though. He could do without having to feel that way again. 

Aiden’s eyes were focused on him, dark with anger. His hands fisted in Lambert’s jacket over his biceps, squeezing halfway between secure and painful. And when Aiden spoke, the edge to his voice reminded Lambert of the time the other had almost overdosed on Thunderbolt. 

“That guy was a cock – he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” To an untrained ear, it almost sounded as if Aiden was angry with him , but Lambert knew differently. Aiden sighed then, heavy and defeated. “’M sorry I didn’t clock on sooner…” 

Lambert made a soothing sound at that, the sentiment not needing to be uttered, and tipped into Aiden’s chest a little. Aiden was quick to draw him in, squeezing him tightly. Lambert felt his cheeks heating up further. It was rare he indulged in such displays, and even rarer that he was the instigator.

“It’s fine…” Lambert mumbled into Aiden’s collar bone. It was difficult to resist the urge to bite or nipple at it. The taste of Aiden’s skin always seemed to calm Lambert – something he suspected was a quirk of the mutagens in his veins. “I’m the one who almost pissed my pants – nothin’ to do with you…” 

Aiden hummed in acknowledgement and squeezed Lambert tightly for a moment longer before releasing him. He didn’t look happy about the comment though – he never did when Lambert insulted himself, even when joking. Without a word, he rubbed his inner wrists against Lambert’s arms. The wolf knew it was some kind of scenting behaviour – he’d seen more than enough of Aiden’s family doing it and been on the receiving end of it more than once. Lambert didn’t pull away. Not when it seemed to bring Aiden comfort. 

“I need to keep a closer eye on you… make sure no one else gets the chance to steal you away…”

Shit, did Aiden think Lambert was going to leave him? The wolf could empathise with that insecurity whole-heartedly. His eyes widened and he shuffled a little closer to the cat once more. 

“I wouldn’t have gone with him.” He assured. 

Aiden’s eyes softened a tad at that and unlike his previous smile, this one was genuine and warm. 

“I know,” He brought Lambert’s hand to his face and kissed his palm with startling tenderness. “I know. I wouldn’t have let him take you… but trust me, he’s not the only one who’s been lookin’ recently… It’s a miracle anyone can keep their hands off you…” 

Lambert looked away at that. He didn’t need Aiden’s compliments, didn’t need smoke blown pointlessly up his ass. 

“I know I’m not much to look at…” He trailed off, yet his eyes snapped back to the cat when he heard him laugh. There was mirth in Aiden’s gaze, a twinkle in his eyes as he pressed a finger beneath Lambert’s chin, preventing him from looking away. Aiden’s pupils were heavily dilated, but he didn’t seem angry anymore. 

“Lambert,” Aiden rarely used his full name these days. “You can’t seriously think that after you told me that story about those whores who refused payment, can you?” Lambert resisted the urge to look at his feet. 

“They were just grateful I killed the village werewolf…”

Aiden laughed again, more a huff of air over Lambert’s face. Apparently he knew he wouldn’t get through to Lambert that way, so instead changed tactics. 

“Lambs – if I weren’t with you, there’d be at least six people in this tavern alone trying to get into your pants.” Aiden made a point of avoiding Lambert’s answering scoff and instead ploughed on into more exciting territory. “But you’re mine, aren’t you?” Lambert shivered and the anxiety in his chest settled into something needy. Shit, he wished they were alone. He nodded jerkily. “Uh-uh. I wanna hear you say it…” Aiden purred under his breath. 

“… I’m yours…” Lambert’s voice was barely a whisper, worried about being overheard despite the fact that the patrons around them hadn’t so much as breathed in their direction for the last few minutes. 

“Good boy.” Aiden smirked. 

Fuck, Lambert could feel himself shaking at the simple comment. They needed to get to their room yesterday.

Lambert opened his mouth to suggest they do just that, yet he was interrupted by the innkeeper wandering back over with their vodkas. Ah shit, Lambert had forgotten he’d ordered those. With an incline of his head and a grateful hum, the man swept the coins up off of the counter and left them to their drinks. 

Aiden was the first to move, snatching up his drink and finishing it within three hasty gulps. He sighed afterwards, smacking his lips together. A clever hand trailed up Lambert’s bicep, shoulder and to the nape of his neck where Aiden squeezed gently. 

“Have yours now, baby.” 

Lambert’s hands were shaking so much he doubted his ability to follow the command, yet he tried, nonetheless. 

The vodka burned as it slid down his throat, warming his insides. . It helped to take the edge off his adrenaline rush, though. And counter to  Lambert’s previous assumption, it tasted as if the drink hadn’t been watered down in the slightest. Perhaps that was the innkeeper’s way of apologising for the incident with the mage but Lambert doubted it. 

“Good boy…” Aiden murmured again, all too aware of the effect it had on Lambert. The wolf couldn’t bring himself to regret revealing that particular quirk to Aiden. “Come on – let’s go upstairs.” He squeezed at Lambert’s nape again yet showed no inclination to remove it as the two of them began to move. Something about the possessiveness of the grip, the overtness of it, had Lambert’s knees quaking. 

The journey back to their room was short but full of tension. Aiden’s hand stayed on Lambert’s neck throughout, the cat only half a step behind. He used his grip to give Lambert a little shove through the doorway before nudging it closed behind the pair with his foot. The tension swelled even more then, if that were possible. Though it was the good kind – of that, Lambert was sure. 

When Lambert turned, Aiden was there . Immediately, the taller man surged forwards, eyes alight with single-minded determination. The intensity of it was so great that Lambert took a step back before he could stop himself, heart clenching and pounding almost as fast as a human’s.

Aiden followed the movement, easing himself into Lambert’s space as if he belonged there. Lambert was almost star-struck and could do nothing in response when Aiden took him firmly by the cheeks and tilted his head up to press a possessive kiss to his lips. His own moved slowly, sluggish to reciprocate and utterly happy to let Aiden do as he wished. 

One kiss became two and it had Lambert feeling small and shy, all the more so due to their height difference. It felt as if he were a ship lost at sea and Aiden was his anchor. Lambert found himself fisting his hands into the front of Aiden’s shirt and pressing closer, desperate for some kind of stability among the crashing waves around them. 

“Ok?”

Lambert nodded, tongue feeling heavy. Aiden always wanted to talk about these things, though Lambert wanted to do anything but. 

“I’m not gonna let another mage even breathe in your direction again.” Of course, that was likely impossible, but if anyone could do it, it would  be Aiden. Besides, he growled it with such conviction that Lambert believed him anyway. The wolf knew just how lucky he was to have found the other all those years ago. 

It was impossible to tell who moved first after that. The next kiss they shared was hard enough to bruise, emotion practically dripping from the two as Aiden’s tongue pressed into Lambert’s mouth and licked behind his teeth. Lambert was all too happy to let the other explore, sucking at his tongue and laving his own affections in where he could. By the end of it, Lambert was left cross-eyed and more than a little off kilter. Aiden pulled away with an abruptness that was almost startling. 

“You’re mine.” Again, he sounded angry, but Lambert knew better. If he’d thought he was weak in the knees before, he sure as hell didn’t know how to describe what he was feeling now. “And I don’t share.”

Both of them knew that wasn’t strictly true. They’d shared on more than a few occasions – though only with people they trusted. Lambert could remember a fair number of athletic nights in the caravan over the past two winters, for starters. What Aiden likely meant was that they only shared on their terms – not when anyone else stuck their nose in without an invitation. Lambert agreed with the sentiment whole-heartedly. It worked both ways. 

The next kiss was no less ferocious, Aiden biting at Lambert’s lips and giving him no choice but to open up and let the other claim him. Lambert had always been determined to give as good as he got, and then was no exception. He nipped at Aiden’s bottom lip, shivering at the growl it produced in response and trying not to smirk. When his hands found their way to Aiden’s soft curls, longer than his own, he couldn’t resist the urge to tug at them. The taller man’s moan made it well worth the effort. 

Aiden gripped Lambert’s waist tightly, kneading the muscle and fat there as if he were sizing the other up to be devoured. And in a way, Lambert guessed he was. He could only moan and grip Aiden’s hair tighter when that scalding mouth began to move downwards. 

Still standing in the middle of the room, Aiden’s lips worked their way to Lambert’s jaw, nipping a little harsher than usual in an effort to leave a more obvious mark that Lambert wouldn’t be able to hide. The wolf flinched and hissed out a breath at the sharp press of teeth, but allowed Aiden this. He’d be doing the same if their positions had been reversed. Looking like he’d been mauled wouldn’t have been the worst outcome possible for the evening, that was certain. 

Soft lips and harsh teeth sucked and bit a trail down Lambert’s neck, Aiden having to stoop to reach Lambert’s collar bones. The sharp sting of canines, and him feeling a little trapped in the best way,  made Lambert’s cock twitch in his trousers. He kept his hand in the place Aiden’s had been previously, right at the base of the cat’s neck, keeping him close – the plea of ‘don’t stop’ almost audible in the air. 

Lambert whimpered when the grip on his waist tightened. Aiden growled around the skin he’d sucked into his mouth and pressed closer still, until he was able to rut his hips against Lambert’s abdomen and press a thigh between the wolf’s legs. Lambert wasn’t in the least bit surprised to find the other just as affected as himself. 

The two of them rutted against each other uncoordinatedly for several moments before they established a rhythm. Aiden’s hands were surely leaving bruises at Lambert’s waist but neither paid it much mind – they’d just be more marks to show exactly who belonged to who here. Lambert rolled his hips against the muscled thigh between his legs, unable to do anything else with the grip Aiden had on him. The cat moaned at the friction it brought his own neglected cock, even through their clothing. Lambert was all but certain he’d cum in his pants if they kept this up for much longer – though he would have much preferred to cum with a cock up his ass instead. 

Hands shaking more than either were willing to acknowledge, Lambert reached for the buttons of Aiden’s trousers. He fiddled and struggled for some time before the clasp popped open, but it was worth it purely for the low groan Aiden let out when the pressure on his cock released. Aiden  licked at the skin of Lambert’s neck, nipping and lavishing it in as much clumsy attention as he could while he did his best to release the ties of Lambert’s trousers too. 

Lambert felt as if he couldn’t breathe. It seemed as if Aiden was everywhere , holding on tightly. He did, however, smile breathlessly when he heard a tell-tale ripping sound, and his trousers were suddenly looser. Aiden might have been good at many things, kissing included, but if the last decade had taught Lambert anything – it was that Aiden really was terrible at stitching. Whatever mess the cat had just made, Lambert knew it would be his own job to fix it. 

Chuckling lightly, he pulled away a fraction, wanting to see what damage he’d need to work with later. Aiden released his waist and for a moment, Lambert thought it was to allow the wolf to do as he pleased – yet he was proven delightfully wrong when two firm hands pressed into his pecs and pushed him back.

Lambert went stumbling, blinking up at Aiden in surprise before he was pushed again. When the back of his knees hit the edge of the mattress, Lambert lost his balance completely and was powerless to stop himself from falling backwards – not that he’d rather be anywhere else. 

He let out a small ‘oof’ as he hit the mattress, bouncing slightly with the force. Reflexes as quick as they were, it took Lambert no time at all to regain his bearings. When he did, Aiden was stalking towards him, slowly, with a predatory, driven intent. Lambert wasn’t sure why, but the sight of Aiden advancing, gaze so dark and all for him, had him almost instinctively wanting to bare his neck for the other. He knew that wouldn’t be much fun, though. Aiden always enjoyed a little game of cat and mouse. 

As Aiden slunk forwards, the mattress dipping under his weight as he put a knee onto the bed, Lambert shuffled backwards. Aiden’s eyes lit up at the small sign of evasion and Lambert knew right then that he had him. 

It was a dance they’d done before, and one that lasted several long, tense moments as Lambert shuffled up the bed, Aiden advancing onwards like a shadow. It ended, though, when Lambert had nowhere else to go, head pillowed on cushions with only the headboard above him. Something deep and dark rumbled its way from Aiden’s throat and Lambert put up no fight when Aiden moved to straddle his hips. 

There were few places like it- in Lambert’s view – being under Aiden. It made him feel squirmy and secure all at once, strangely giddy yet wholly possessed and taken care of. It was just a tragedy it’d taken the two so long to get there. 

They might have been together for the entire year (the last three, without any considerable break, in fact), but Lambert still had the urge to reach out and touch, to feel Aiden’s thighs under his palms and remind himself that the cat was indeed real and not just a dream. He squeezed the muscle there lightly, Aiden flexing at the feeling with a close-lipped smile. 

The cat bent then, legs bracketing Lambert’s hips and a hand on the other’s chest for balance, leaning down and kissing him soundly. Lambert might have been breathless before, but kissing Aiden had always given him a new lease of life, much like the euphoria one experiences before freezing or that sense of calm before a storm. Lambert knew he could die happy having kissed Aiden even just once. 

Aiden moaned quietly into Lambert’s mouth, the hand not pressing him down into the mattress sliding up to play with the wolf’s hair. Lambert could only sigh back happily when the cat’s tongue dipped into his mouth, unhurried and confident, as if it had every right to be there. He pressed up into the kiss, laving his own tongue against Aiden’s and licking against the cat’s lips. That only seemed to spur the cat on; he nipped at Lambert and wiggled his hips a little against Lambert’s own. 

Lambert almost choked at the reminder of how hard his cock was. Shit, was Aiden going to ride him? Things certainly looked as if they were heading in that direction. It wasn’t something the two of them did particularly often, Lambert generally preferring to receive and Aiden chomping at the bit for the chance to get himself in Lambert’s ass – but that didn’t mean the wolf wasn’t up for it. The earlier adrenaline and butterflies in Lambert’s chest had slowly made their way downwards and now settled as something warm and  thrilling in his gut. 

When Aiden next nipped at Lambert’s bottom lip, Lambert was sure he’d drawn blood. The momentary spark of pain raced down his spine, sending a shiver through him that should not have been as arousing as it was. He felt Aiden smile against him, evidently being aware of the effect he had. 

Just slow enough to tease, Aiden’s hand slid out of Lambert’s hair, and he made  sure not to tug uncomfortably as he did so. His other hand moved too, both of them reaching downwards to take Lambert by the wrists and gently yet firmly guide the wolf’s hands above his head. 

Lambert was sure he was going to combust when Aiden pressed his hands into the mattress. A high and needy sound left his throat; he was almost too aroused to know what was going on for a brief moment. He did, however, register Aiden’s lips curving up into a smile against his own. 

“Keep them there, baby.”

The groan Lambert let out in response practically exploded out of him. He couldn’t even think about disobeying the command, such was the hold Aiden had over him. Instead, he tangled his hands between the bedsheets and pillows, breath stuttering at the satisfied glint in Aiden’s eye. He felt vulnerable like this, belly-up and bared for Aiden to do what he wanted. Vulnerable, though, didn’t necessarily mean scared. 

Aiden’s gaze was intense and studious as he stared down at Lambert, watching every micro-expression as he shifted and began to roll his hips fluidly against Lambert’s. Their trousers, unbuttoned and shoved down to just below their asses, proved something of an obstacle yet neither could bear to part enough to kick them off entirely. Aiden managed to make it work, though. 

He lent downwards again, resting on his forearms planted on either side of Lambert’s head and inadvertently trapping his arms against the mattress – not that Lambert had considered moving them. The kiss they shared was fleeting and breathless. It only served to make Lambert feel even more penned-in, covered yet safe and secure. 

Even after parting, Aiden stayed close, gaze burning with heat as he studied Lambert’s face, drinking in the way his lips twitched and his mouth hung open as he panted. 

“You have no idea how hot you are, do you wolf?” Aiden’s voice was hoarse, even just from grinding. “Well that’s ok… just gives me the chance to show you as much as I can… not that I need an excuse when you’re here and looking so delightfully hard for me, hmm?” When Aiden stopped the gentle roll of his hips, his cock leaking precum all over their shirts , the shorter of the two couldn’t help but whine. Aiden laughed breathlessly. “None of that now, sweetheart… you go on about how lucky you are an’ shit but you need to know – I’m the lucky one here. Lemmie show you.” 

It took several moments for Lambert’s brain to register the comment as a warning. But by the time he did, it was too late. 

Aiden pushed up onto his knees a bit, sitting up and seizing Lambert by the hips. In one fell swoop, catching the other off guard, Aiden flipped Lambert over onto his stomach, somehow not dislodging himself in the process and ended up settling his weight over the backs of Lambert’s thighs. 

Lambert let out a small cry but otherwise allowed himself to be moved. He was somewhat embarrassed about the fact that he didn’t even consider struggling against the other witcher. Many would argue that the trust he placed in Aiden would be his undoing. Lambert, though, was quite happy to burn. 

His shyness only grew when he felt Aiden’s gaze settle on his back, studying him closely with that piercing stare that all cats seemed to have. He heard a quiet groan leave the taller man as Aiden slowly pushed up the shirt Lambert wore, leaving it rumpled around Lambert’s armpits and exposing much of the skin and muscle beneath. Lambert shifted, feeling the capillaries in his face dilate even further. He shivered when he felt the tips of the others fingers trace over the lines of his shoulder blades and the grooves of old scars. 

“You got some weird kinks, cat…” Lambert had meant it as an insult, a small jibe meant to spur Aiden on, yet that intent was mostly lost with the way his voice shook slightly. Instead, Aiden only chuckled quietly at him.

“I’m attracted to all of you, Lambs – I can’t fuckin’ help it…” 

Lambert pressed his face into the pillow beneath his cheek, not knowing how to respond to that. Graciously accepting compliments had never been his strong suit. How did people like Jaskier make it seem so easy? His fingers flexed where they’d re-tangled themselves in the sheets by his head, trying to ground himself. While being forced to accept compliments made him want to run, Lambert was comfortable there, even if he felt somewhat like a trapped animal. 

There was a light brush of lips against Lambert’s shoulder – gentle, not trying to leave a mark. Aiden’s nose swept over Lambert’s skin, over the curves of his shoulder blade and to his spine where another gentle kiss was placed.

“So fucking pretty, sweetheart… all mine.” 

Another kiss was pressed under where he’d laid the first, and then another below that. The cat’s tongue poked out, tasting Lambert’s skin as if it was something to be savoured. He shuffled to continue the line he was making, worshipping his way down Lambert’s back. 

Lambert relaxed under the caresses, though he wished the cat would hurry up. Having his cock pressed between his stomach and the soft bed sheets wasn’t doing Lambert any favours either. He squirmed, having to bite his lip to suppress a moan as his cock dragged along the linen. Why was Aiden taking so long? He thought this was about showing Lambert who he belonged to? Maybe Aiden needed to be reminded of that. 

“Will you just get on with it?” Lambert snapped. “I bet that mage wouldn’t have left me waiting like this!” He rutted down against the mattress to accentuate the point, alerting Aiden to his need. Of course, Lambert would rather have died than gone with the mage but that wasn’t the point. Aiden knew it was an empty threat, but it still spurred him into action. 

 A harsh crack echoed around the room when Aiden’s palm came down on his ass. Lambert let out a squawk in surprise, skin smarting. He buried his face in the pillow and whined again, embarrassed. 

“Don’t be greedy, baby.” A kiss was pressed to the base of Lambert’s spine, teasingly close to where he wanted it. “I’m gonna worship you, and I’m gonna make it so fuckin’ good if you have the patience for it… anyone could have you but I’m so glad you chose me.”

The words were unexpectedly tender and heartfelt, causing the lump in Lambert’s throat to take on a far more positive meaning. Shit, he was in way over his head, wasn’t he? Though Lambert couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. 

In contrast to the spank, Aiden’s hands were soft when they smoothed up the sensitive skin of Lambert’s thighs. He  petted over the area just below his ass, smoothing and soothing for several moments before Aiden shuffled backwards, taking Lambert’s trousers with him until they were tangled around his knees. Lambert couldn’t help but whine at that. Having Aiden’s weight on him, even in a non-sexual sense, was always strangely comforting to him. 

Aiden hummed, his hands soothing as they worked their way up Lambert’s legs to his hips. 

And then Lambert was being manhandled again.

A traitorous spark went straight to his cock when Aiden’s grip tightened. He yanked Lambert upwards by the hips, the wolf forced to catch himself on his knees to avoid tumbling and falling forwards onto the mattress. Although the bedding was soft, landing cock-first wouldn’t have been the nicest of experiences. 

As his world tilted, it took Lambert a second or two to come to terms with the position he found himself in. He was on his knees, ass up with his shoulders pressed into the sheets and his face buried into a pillow – every bit the whore. Lambert moaned at his own comparison. He guessed in many ways he was, though only ever for Aiden. 

Another hard slap came down against Lambert’s ass and he could already feel the bruise that would be there in the morning. He’d long since suspected that Aiden enjoyed seeing his handprints on Lambert’s skin the morning after. But if Lambert were being honest with himself, he did too. 

He could feel the smile on Aiden’s lips when he pressed a kiss to the quickly reddening cheek. Lambert resisted the urge to roll his eyes, embarrassed at how exposed the position made him, yet was distracted when Aiden’s clever hands spread him open. Lambert hid his face in the pillow, not wanting to imagine the sight from Aiden’s point of view. How anyone could find Lambert’s ass (or any part of him, for that matter) attractive was beyond him. He grumbled, face crimson. Aiden made no comment or move to spank him again though. He was well aware of Lambert’s bodily insecurities to know when the wolf required a gentle hand and when he could afford to be a little rougher. 

Lambert tensed, though, when hot breath ghosted over his ass. It was unexpected and terrifyingly intimate. He squeezed his eyes shut, a whole storm of emotions stirring in his abdomen.

“You don’t have to do that…” He murmured, voice sounding small and pathetic to his own ears. Lambert had been eaten out before, sure, but it was still a rare occurrence that he let Aiden’s tongue anywhere near his ass. There was still something about it that embarrassed the wolf, the sensation too intense and the meaning behind it all too overwhelming. 

In general, Lambert preferred to give rather than to receive (though not always in the literal sense) – even if that meant his own pleasure took a back seat at times. Aiden might have told him over and over that it was ok to be a little greedy with him once in a while, but there was still a barrier in Lambert’s mind. He had to prove himself, putting Aiden’s pleasure above his own somehow made him less terrified of the cat leaving. And he had the feeling Aiden was all too aware of that fact. 

A careful hand smoothed up Lambert’s arched back, helping to relax the muscles once more. 

“Sweetheart, I want to – believe me. Let me do this for you… please?”

How could Lambert say no to that? It would have been like kicking a kitten. 

He swallowed thickly, not quite able to agree out loud, and instead nodded. 

Lambert had to remind himself not to tense up at the first of Aiden’s breaths directly over his hole. He couldn’t stop himself from shivering, though, as he sensed Aiden shuffling and getting into position. Lambert held his breath and waited, already feeling cut open and raw. 

The first touch of Aiden’s lips against him was tentative, a ghost of a kiss over his hole as Aiden mouthed at the oh-so sensitive skin, getting Lambert used to being touched there. 

He certainly appreciated being eased in gently, even if he wasn’t articulate enough to say so out loud. Aiden kissed at his hole, at the cleft of his ass ever so gently before his tongue finally darted out for a taste. The first lick was slow, dragging his tongue up from behind Lambert’s balls all the way to the top of his ass. It had the witcher’s back arching without his permission and an embarrassingly high whine spilling from his throat. 

“Fuck…” The words were practically breathed out against Lambert’s hole, Aiden pulling away just enough for his lips to brush against soft cheeks. 

And then Aiden was diving back in, working Lambert up without the slightest hint of reservation or hesitation. He widened and flattened his tongue as much as he could, strong licks over Lambert’s hole making his toes curl. It felt odd somehow – more intimate than when Aiden was fucking him. That alone was enough to have Lambert shivering and his legs quaking in an effort to keep himself steady. 

Aiden’s hands stayed on his hips, keeping Lambert steady as he licked a little harder at his hole, covering the wolf in his saliva. Lambert’s eyes rolled back into his head at the thought that after this was finished, he’d smell like Aiden more than he did himself. 

It was impossible to stop his ass from relaxing at the attention, though Lambert wasn’t sure why he’d want to. He was rewarded when Aiden firmed his tongue, tracing the tip of it teasingly around his hole. The chuckle he let out when Lambert’s ass fluttered at the touch was muffled and breathless. Lambert gasped at the rush of air it produced, face flaming red. As much as he tried to suppress the small sounds that were forced out of him, Lambert couldn’t. 

It was as embarrassing as it was arousing – face down, ass up on the bed and being eaten out like some kind of common whore. He knew Aiden didn’t think of him as such, though. He was far too much of a sap for that. 

“Oh…” Lambert’s entire upper body went slack, sinking into the mattress when Aiden’s tongue finally pressed inside. It wasn’t long enough to reach his prostate but that didn’t matter, just the sensation of having something to clench around had him quaking. It was messy work as Aiden thrust his tongue in and out of Lambert’s hole, licking over the rim and spreading saliva where he could. 

Shit, and the sounds he made were nothing short of obscene , licking and slurping as if he couldn’t get enough. Each noise had Lambert’s cock drooling a little more between his legs, neglected for the time being. Even just a little friction just then would have made him finish far more quickly than he intended to. It was difficult to hold off, though, when he felt Aiden’s drool sliding down his ass and dripping over his balls.

He couldn’t help it. He rolled his hips back into Aiden’s face, greedy and looking for more, before he caught himself. Before he could think to apologise though, worried about smothering the other, Aiden moaned loudly. He squeezed at Lambert’s hips, tugging him backwards gently in silent encouragement. 

Lambert was so sure he was about to drop dead. 

He rolled his hips again, both of them groaning. Lambert dared not press back too far, still a little embarrassed at his own neediness, but it was enough to have him shivering nonetheless. Aiden probed in his tongue as far as he could, sucking at Lambert’s rim with just the barest hint of teeth before he pulled away. 

“Shit baby, one day I’m gonna convince you to ride my face.” 

And didn’t that sound like fun? Lambert could only hope that one day, he’d be brave enough to try it. 

He pushed himself up onto his elbows. Aiden growled and then cut himself off when he thought Lambert was trying to escape. With a harsh breath, Lambert let his head hang down between his shoulders, vision somewhat blurred as he looked down at his cock hanging beneath him. It was leaking so heavily that Lambert thought he ought to have been worried, sticky strings of precum oozing downwards and onto the bed sheets. They’d certainly get an expensive bill when it was time to leave. 

Aiden’s tongue moved upwards, just a little, lapping at Lambert’s rim and over the top of his cleft for a moment while the cat shifted. And then there was a finger trailing up and over Lambert’s balls, gathering slick as it ascended. 

The other man was given just enough time to realise what was about to happen and make a soft, inquisitive sound before the finger was being eased inside him alongside Aiden’s tongue, slick with oil Lambert hadn’t seen the other find;  slowly and carefully yet entirely insistent. 

Lambert’s arms gave out once more and his top half went plummeting into the mattress. 

He moaned , long and low, as Aiden’s finger pressed in right up to the knuckle. He left it there for several heartbeats, allowing Lambert to relax and get used to the new kind of sensation. Despite the lack of movement, even Aiden’s tongue was still where he was pressed against his opening, Lambert was positively vibrating. 

He knew he wasn’t going to last long once the cat started moving and he could only hope Aiden wouldn’t mind it when he came disappointingly fast. But, knowing Aiden as he did, he imagined the other would be perversely thrilled. 

Aiden began again by lapping at Lambert’s rim around the finger, electric flicks of his tongue that had the muscles in Lambert’s thighs twitching and flexing with each movement. Lambert bit at the pillow, paying no mind to the drool he was leaving behind as he pressed back and fucked himself shallowly on Aiden’s finger. 

Only then did Aiden begin to move. He pulled the finger out ever so slowly, almost cruel in the pace he was setting, before pressing it back in at the same pace. Lambert made a disgruntled sound, pleasure drunk – far too much so to articulate what he wanted, yet Aiden knew nonetheless. 

The cat sped up a little, crooking his finger at every other thrust to glance against Lambert’s prostate. Each time he did, Lambert let out a soft sound, body twitching and an extra drop of cum leaking from his ruddy cock. It wasn’t fucking fair how good Aiden was with his fingers. The bastard knew just how sensitive too, and Lambert was quickly learning that he had a tongue to match. 

Aiden lapped around where his finger was buried a little more, having no reservations with the amount of drool he was leaving over Lambert’s ass. He probably liked getting the other so dirty, Lambert thought. 

They continued on like that for some time, Lambert’s breath hitching each time Aiden pressed his finger in and Aiden doing his level best to make the other squirm. It became clear, though, that the taller of the two was losing patience when he forced his tongue into Lambert’s ass alongside his finger. 

Lambert cried out louder than he meant to, a whole-body shudder wracking through him. Aiden moaned against him, the vibrations only adding to his arousal , before he pulled away momentarily. 

“Shit, yeah baby – be loud for me, maybe that fuckin’ mage will hear and know what he’s missin’” Aiden’s voice alone, deep and gravelly, would have had Lambert hard in seconds if he wasn’t already. The addition of a tongue alongside Aiden’s finger felt strange and made his insides squirm. But at the same time it was unfairly, criminally good. 

Aiden didn’t hold back after that, crooking his finger and rubbing against Lambert’s prostate as much as he could at that angle. He gave up thrusting in favour of torturing the swollen gland, single-minded in his focus. 

Overstimulated but also wanting more, Lambert was close to tears. It was a miracle he hadn’t cum yet. He could feel each pulse of cum drooling from his cock. At least now he knew why people called it ‘milking’. 

With his free hand, Aiden squeezed Lambert’s hip tight enough to get his attention. Lambert could guess what the other was after and he was more than happy to oblige. 

Pleasure-drunk and with a startling lack of coordination, Lambert rolled his hips back against Aiden’s face. The hand around his hip tightened, encouraging. Lambert struggled to keep his legs under him as he did it again, spearing himself deeper on Aiden’s tongue in the process. Why didn’t they do this more often? Lambert couldn’t remember but it was a tragedy in his eyes. Aiden’s tongue was a gift he needed to make use of more often. 

Calling Lambert’s movements fluid or graceful would have been a terrible lie as he humped back against Aiden’s face. There was nothing elegant about it – just raw, unadulterated need. 

And when Aiden’s hand left his hip in favour of reaching around and finally taking hold of Lambert’s cock? Well. It was enough to reduce Lambert to abandoned and utterly, utterly spent. 

Lambert blacked out for several blissful moments. He was sure Aiden must have been a mage too – his fingers certainly had an element of magic about them, that was for sure. Caught between extraordinary fingers and an equally unparalleled fist, Lambert had nowhere to go but into the sensations. Every time he rolled his hips back against Aiden’s finger and tongue, the fist around his cock slipped in the most indescribable way. And when he was spurred forwards again, wanting to fuck into that fist, Aiden’s finger swept over his prostate and the whole cycle began again. 

Was Lambert crying? He could certainly feel something wet on his face though he knew it wasn’t from sadness. Rutting as much as he could, the wolf’s voice broke into something high and broken, unlike any sound Aiden had managed to produce from him thus far. Had he been in his right mind, Lambert would likely have been embarrassed of the state he’d been reduced to but caught as he was, all he wanted was what Aiden was willing to give him. 

And fuck, was Aiden willing to give. 

When Lambert came, Aiden continued, milking him through it and into oversensitivity, eking out Lambert’s high even until he was grunting in pain. He was crying, drooling and no doubt had snot running from his nose too but Lambert didn’t think he’d ever felt that blissed out before. Shit, Aiden had been holding out on him. The wolf didn’t think he could remember what had started this scene if he wanted to. 

His body all but crumpled to the mattress below and Lambert couldn’t even find it within himself to be disgusted with the wet patch he’d landed in. He felt incredibly heavy yet also raw at the same time, as if someone had turned him inside out. Lambert’s breaths came out in harsh pants, utterly spent. It felt as if he were floating. 

Above him, he heard Aiden’s breathless chuckle at his reaction. 

“So fucking perfect for me, aren’t you? So beautiful…” Gentle fingers caressed Lambert’s lower back, thumb resting over the curve of his ass. They were sticky with saliva and Lambert’s cum but he didn’t have the energy or coordination to bat the cat away. 

When Aiden lent forwards, massaging the dimples of Lambert’s back, he felt the other’s hard cock brush against his hip. Shit, Lambert had been so wrapped up in his own pleasure that he’d almost forgotten about Aiden’s need. Now that he thought about it, he could smell the desperation in the air, and hear the heat in Aiden’s voice as he praised him. A cold flash of guilt zinged down his spine at the realisation. Aiden hadn’t had so much as a hand on his cock yet and there Lambert was – basking in the afterglow. 

But before the wolf could dwell on it any further and work himself up, the guilt was dispelled with a tender kiss to his lower back. 

He really didn’t deserve that man. 

“’M gonna mark you, sweetheart…” Aiden purred, squeezing the globes of Lambert’s ass. “You’ve got such a pretty ass, it’s only fair I get myself off to it…” 

Lambert felt over sensitised almost to the point of pain and exhaustion weighed heavily on his limbs. He wasn’t sure he could cum twice. Sure, Aiden had made the other cum and fucked him before, but Lambert had always found it a little too much, a bit too overwhelming and sharp for his tastes. Considering what Aiden had just done for him, though, Lambert was happy to indulge the other where he could. 

He mustered the energy to nod his head, relaxing back to let Aiden do as he wished. 

The cat didn’t move until he got that permission, but when he did, he shuffled up onto his knees. His hands on Lambert’s ass, he  began to palm the flesh there with more intent before spreading him open once again. The wolf tried not to squirm, hyper-aware of how exposed he was despite the fact he’d had the other’s tongue in his ass less than a minute ago. A warm glob of spit splattered down against Lambert’s hole, right over his ass. 

Aiden moved then, shuffling closer with his knees planted on either side of Lambert’s hips. A flash of panic went through the shorter man. Would Aiden really fuck him, just like that? Was that all the prep he was getting? Aiden’s tongue might have been magical, but it certainly wasn’t enough to prepare him for Aiden’s cock. 

Lambert felt his heart begin to race. He swallowed down the flash of panic and forced himself to relax. No. Aiden wouldn’t do that to him. He knew that deep in his bones. They’d been through too much together for Aiden to suddenly change tact now. 

His faith was rewarded when instead of pressing against his hole, Aiden’s cock brushed against the crack of his ass lengthways, settling there between his cheeks. 

Oh. This was better than what Lambert had had in mind by a million leagues. Lambert groaned at the prospect of Aiden humping against his ass like a wild animal, marking his skin a little more with each thrust. It certainly solved the issue of oversensitivity too. He relaxed even further into the mattress but couldn’t help but arch his back and wiggle his hips encouragingly. Aiden growled, squeezing the meat of his ass tightly.  

Tentatively, Aiden rolled his hips. The spit head previously spread over Lambert’s ass helped to ease the way, yet Lambert heard a small splat when the cat added more. Aiden’s damp cock slid over Lambert’s ass slowly, the other man adjusting his hands to keep himself pressed securely between the muscles. 

It felt… unexpectedly nice – having Aiden’s cock drag over his hole without slipping inside. There was something possessive about it, something deeper than just lust which had Lambert tingling again all over. It wouldn’t be enough to get him going again but that didn’t matter. 

Aiden groaned lowly and pressed a little harder, digging his fingers into Lambert’s ass cheeks to create a nice little groove for him to fuck into. He began a slow but steady rhythm, breathing hard with the effort to control himself. Lambert whimpered as he did so, feeling used and dirty yet liking it so much more than he’d expected. 

“You’re somethin’ else, baby boy… I love this ass – wanna sink my teeth into it… you always feel so good, it’s like you were made for me.” Lambert groaned again, face pressed into the pillows which were now damp with his own drool. In a lot of ways, it felt as if Aiden’s statement was true. 

“Just for you – never been anyone else but you…” Lambert was sure no one had made him feel this way before. Sure, he’d slept with people who’d been possessive, but it had always made Lambert feel a little sick afterwards. But not with Aiden. Never with Aiden. 

Aiden began speeding up his thrusts, wet sounds filling the air as a result. He must have been close, Lambert thought, after waiting so long already. Lambert could feel how hot he was against his ass, practically throbbing with need. It had to be painful. The wolf couldn’t help the way he flushed with pride at the knowledge that he’d done that to Aiden – reduced him to such extremes. 

“You have no right to be as cute as you are…” Aiden’s vice had dropped yet another octave, now more a growl than anything else. Cute probably wasn’t the word Lambert would have used but he took the compliment nonetheless. “You’re mine , sweetheart. ‘M gonna keep you safe and the only way ‘m leavin’ is if you send me away…”

Shit, the emotion in Aiden’s voice almost had Lambert choking up. Aiden must have sensed the shift in mood, slowing his hips and turning his attention to Lambert’s face buried in the pillow instead of his ass. 

Lambert couldn’t have that. He didn’t want Aiden to think the tears in his eyes were the bad kind, even if the distraction would only be momentary. Aiden cared too much for his own good, damnit – Lambert was trying to get him off!

He rolled his hips backwards to help Aiden along and bring his attention back to his own need. By the sharp inhale of breath from the cat, it certainly worked. 

Aiden groaned low in the back of his throat, hands pressing down and manipulating Lambert’s ass as he saw fit, making him even tighter than he was before. Something hot appeared in the wolf’s stomach at being used and moved in such a way. It came a little surprisingly to both  of them that Aiden finished several frantic moments later, humping against Lambert’s ass like a man possessed.

Predictably to Lambert, when Aiden came he was loud, groaning and growling deep from within his chest. He kept up the movement of his hips, jerking and spasming to work himself through it. Lambert felt the first spurt of his cock, cum splattering and spilling onto the top of his ass and his lower back. Feeling him cum from this position was a strange change but not unwelcome, allowing Lambert to appreciate the way the other’s cock twitched hard against him. 

Aiden shook and shuddered through his orgasm, hips eventually stopping as he pushed himself into oversensitivity. His breaths came out in loud, harsh pants as if he’d just fought a handful of griffins at once. Lambert could feel his gaze burning into the back of his head before it moved down to the mess staining his lower back. 

He shifted and a kiss, unexpectedly gentle, was placed between his shoulder blades. Lambert’s heart fluttered at the tender gesture yet the mood was quickly dispelled when he felt fingers begin to run through the mess, rubbing it into the skin. Lambert cringed and flinched away. 

“What the fuck, cat – that’s disgusting!” 

Aiden wasn’t so easily dissuaded. He stayed where he was atop Lambert’s thighs, keeping him in place effectively. Instead of answering verbally, a loud purr rumbled from Aiden’s chest, unapologetically happy. Lambert could only roll his eyes, not in the mood for a wrestle and especially not when Aiden seemed so content. He allowed the cat his quirk and tried not to think of how uncomfortable the cum would be once it had dried. 

“You can wash it off in the morning but please, keep it on for tonight?” Aiden’s voice sounded quiet and tentative. He didn’t ask a lot of Lambert, even at the best of times. Lambert knew he couldn’t deny him this. “Want you to smell like me…”

Shit, that did it. Lambert nodded, trying to cover up the butterflies in his chest  the comment caused, and the way the blush in his cheeks came back anew. 

“Fine,” He grumbled, trying and failing to make himself seem reluctant at the prospect. “But you know you can’t be doin’ this on the trail to Kaer Morhen – there won’t be a fuckin’ bath on the way and the last thing I wanna be when seein’ my family is smelling of your cum… at least until I know they won’t send us away…”

“Anything for you, sweetheart.” Lambert could hear the smile in Aiden’s voice yet had to hold back a whine when he clambered off of Lambert’s hips. The wolf suddenly felt cold. But before he began to spiral, Aiden added. “Stay where you are and I’ll clean you up a bit… you can close your eyes if you want, I’m not going far.” 

Effectively soothed, Lambert did as the other said. His bones felt like mush or that thick broth Vesemir used to make during the coldest part of winter. As taken-care-of as Lambert felt, he knew this winter would be good no matter what happened.