Nicky was first to spot the tracks. They'd gone up the game trail seeking rabbits or even deer, but the prints in the mud were distinctly human.
Whomever had made them, they were clearly injured; they'd been dragging one foot and small splatters of blood splotched the nearby vegetation. They didn't even catch the heat-scent until they were nearly on him.
The man was bent nearly double, catching his breath in short gasps. He was dressed in a ragged gray tunic several sizes too large for him, and no trousers. His feet were bare, and the blood they'd noticed was trickling down his leg. Hearing them approach he snapped upright, turning wild storm-colored eyes on them. Joe thought he'd be handsome enough were his hair not lank and shaggy, and were he not filthy and clearly scared out of his mind. His panicked gaze flicked between the two of them, one arm coming up as if to potentially ward off a blow. It was only then that Joe noticed the shackle on his other wrist, a length of broken chain dangling from it. His stomach turned; this omega had not been bonded by choice.
Bless Nicky, ever the caretaker and soother of frightened creatures. He approached the man slowly, his voice soft and his hands open. The man shuddered all over but stood his ground as Nicky nodded for Joe to come join him.
"This is Sebastian. He needs a place to stay tonight. We can do that, yes?"
Joe nodded.
"Of course. These woods are wretchedly cold at night; come and get warm and have something to eat."
The very thought of food seemed to sap all Sebastian's remaining strength; he sagged against Nicky, hunger pangs doubling him over again. Joe didn't hesitate to scoop him up. He was a tall gangly thing, but disturbingly thin. The tunic shifted as Sebastian settled in his arms and Joe realized he very nearly could count his ribs. Whomever had bonded him, they didn't deserve the title of Alpha.
Sebastian pressed a burning cheek into Joe's chest as they walked, mumbling incoherently, and Nicky reached over with a frown to palm the back of his neck. He'd noticed what Joe had quickly realized; their new charge was feverish, and not simply in heat. As they exited the treeline into the warm yellow porch light, Nicky ran ahead to alert Nile and Andy, and get his kit ready.
At the threshold Sebastian blinked awake, sea-gray eyes foggy and confused.
"Where---?"
"A safe place, sweet one. You are among friends here."
The smile Sebastian turned on him was heartbreaking.
Fill: Stray, Joe/Nicky a/b/o, taking care of omega!Booker (tw noncon, slavery) 1/?
Whomever had made them, they were clearly injured; they'd been dragging one foot and small splatters of blood splotched the nearby vegetation. They didn't even catch the heat-scent until they were nearly on him.
The man was bent nearly double, catching his breath in short gasps. He was dressed in a ragged gray tunic several sizes too large for him, and no trousers. His feet were bare, and the blood they'd noticed was trickling down his leg. Hearing them approach he snapped upright, turning wild storm-colored eyes on them. Joe thought he'd be handsome enough were his hair not lank and shaggy, and were he not filthy and clearly scared out of his mind. His panicked gaze flicked between the two of them, one arm coming up as if to potentially ward off a blow. It was only then that Joe noticed the shackle on his other wrist, a length of broken chain dangling from it. His stomach turned; this omega had not been bonded by choice.
Bless Nicky, ever the caretaker and soother of frightened creatures. He approached the man slowly, his voice soft and his hands open. The man shuddered all over but stood his ground as Nicky nodded for Joe to come join him.
"This is Sebastian. He needs a place to stay tonight. We can do that, yes?"
Joe nodded.
"Of course. These woods are wretchedly cold at night; come and get warm and have something to eat."
The very thought of food seemed to sap all Sebastian's remaining strength; he sagged against Nicky, hunger pangs doubling him over again. Joe didn't hesitate to scoop him up. He was a tall gangly thing, but disturbingly thin. The tunic shifted as Sebastian settled in his arms and Joe realized he very nearly could count his ribs. Whomever had bonded him, they didn't deserve the title of Alpha.
Sebastian pressed a burning cheek into Joe's chest as they walked, mumbling incoherently, and Nicky reached over with a frown to palm the back of his neck. He'd noticed what Joe had quickly realized; their new charge was feverish, and not simply in heat. As they exited the treeline into the warm yellow porch light, Nicky ran ahead to alert Nile and Andy, and get his kit ready.
At the threshold Sebastian blinked awake, sea-gray eyes foggy and confused.
"Where---?"
"A safe place, sweet one. You are among friends here."
The smile Sebastian turned on him was heartbreaking.
"Love you, Steven..."