My Hero
Deep in the forest, far away from prying eyes and ears; a splash sounded, followed by a yell and a shout of laughter.
The yell could easily be identified as the voice of a young Steef male, deep and rumbling. The laughter was higher, younger and obviously female and, though known only by a select few and one Steef tribe could tell, was also human.
Bailey shrieked with giggling laughter as the Haigar pushed his now sopping hair out of his face. She’d just splashed him.
“Bailey.” Haigar growled warningly,
“Yes?” the human replied, looking angelic,
“That doesn’t work on me.” Haigar said, still growling, Bailey giggled, but shrugged,
“Ah well, worth a try.” Bailey grinned at the irate Steef, “So, what’cha gonna do blue?” she asked teasingly. Haigar let another deep growl rumble in his chest. Bailey felt all the hairs on her arms rise and she suppressed a shiver of pleasure at that growl. She mentally shook herself.
“What is wrong with me?” Of course she knew what was most likely causing the reaction, but she wasn’t quite ready to face that possibility just yet.
“He’s my friend, my best friend, nothing more, no more, nor less…” the thought did not help, however may times she said it.
But through all her broiling thoughts, Bailey kept the teasing grin on her face as she floated easily, tauntingly moving away from Haigar.
“Catch me if you can.” She said in a sing-song voice and yelped when Haigar lunged for her. She dodged out of the way, laughing, and splashed him again, “Too slow Haigar!” she called. She swam towards the log that formed a bridge across the pool and heaved herself out, standing up and shaking herself dry and for a split-second looking remarkably like a Steef. She grinned at Haigar in the water and brushed wet, tangled hair from her face, eyes shining with a challenge. Haigar sighed and shook his head,
“Okay, you win Bay.” Bailey pouted,
“Ain’t you gonna at least put up a
bit of a fight?” she asked hopefully, Haigar chuckled,
“Nope,” he looked at the sky, “And anyway, we should head home. You wouldn’t want to give the old timers more gossip material would’ja?” Bailey grinned and laughed,
“Hey, maybe we should, just to string ‘em along.” Haigar joined her laughter as he clambered out onto the bank, resting his palms on the ground and shook himself like a dog. He straightened and found Bailey by his elbow, looking up at the sun, estimating the time.
“Bay?” Haigar said her name slyly, Bailey looked down,
“What?”
“Got’cha.” Haigar chuckled, slapping the mud from his palms onto Bailey’s cheeks. Bailey shrieked.
“HAIGAR!” and the Steef laughed at her incensed look. He washed his hands in the pool while Bailey scrubbed her face with her sleeves. The Steef turned, about to proclaim himself the winner when Bailey suddenly tackled him. As been as he was in no way suspecting the attack, Haigar found himself bowled over into the grass by the pool. He ended up, sprawled on his back with Bailey lying on top of him, his arm around her waist.
At first their laughter rang out among the trees, laughter so hard they almost cried. But then the sounds of mirth faded away, and still Bailey lay on the Steef’s chest and stomach with his arm around her middle. Haigar caught Bailey’s gaze and held it for a moment. He felt himself blush and a warm rush in his stomach, his chest tightened and his heart began pounding, his breathing becoming short pants.
Bailey swallowed, uncomfortably aware of the soft fur of Haigar’s chest beneath her fingers, and the firm muscle it covered. And of the warm, strong arm that was draped over her lower back. Bailey realised with some trepidation – but also with a thrill – that all of this young, strong body rippled with hard muscle, capable of crushing bones. Bailey’s thoughts were abruptly brought to a halt when the Steef slowly raised trembling fingers and ran them softly down her cheek.
“Bailey…” Haigar said her name huskily, not entirely sure what he was going to say. But the breaking of the silence also broke the spell. Bailey blinked and shook herself, she grinned teasingly,
“You gonna let me up now or what?” The question jolted Haigar, and as if waking up from a dream, he too shook himself and blinked, he released her, a vaguely bemused expression on his face.
Bailey knelt beside him, hands clasping, still feeling embarrassed as Haigar propped himself up on one hand, the other touching his forehead, looking disorientated. He glanced at Bailey. She looked down and flushed. But then she looked up and grinned,
“Think you can outwit me do ya?” she asked in a low, playful growl and she tackled him again. “Belly rub!” she yelled as she quickly rolled him over and began rubbing his stomach, between his fore- and hindlegs. Haigar squirmed and let out a bark of laughter,
“Bay! Bay stop! That, that tickles!” Bailey hooted and kept tickling, moving her assault to his ribs as Haigar gasped and laughed. The awkwardness lifted much to Bailey’s relief and when she backed away, Haigar rolled onto his stomach and looked up, grinning. He stood and brushed himself down, helping Bailey up as well. “C’mon,” he said fondly, squeezing her hand. “We gotta head back.”
Bailey smiled and nodded.
As they were walking back, Bailey noticed a giant fallen tree by the track, she scrambled up onto it, ending up almost five feet from the ground.
“Whoa.” She breathed, then she laughed, “Hey lookit blue!” Haigar looked round, his smile fading a little as he watched Bailey, balancing, as she made her way across the log, almost skipping. Haigar felt a thrill of foreboding as she went along the trunk and out onto a considerably more slender off-shooting branch, still attached to the main trunk.
“Bay,” he called, “Be careful!” Bailey turned to reply in flippant answer when suddenly the branched cracked and let out a tortured groan. Bailey yelped and fell off. Once again, Haigar was right where he needed to be. He caught Bailey in his arms before she hit the hard-packed earth.
Bailey’s heart was pounding with adrenaline, her breathing erratic and shaky, the fall had shocked her system and she took deep breaths to calm herself down. It was only then that she noticed her palm was laid flat on Haigar’s chest and his arms were holding her protectively. She glanced up and felt a blush creep up her neck, but she kept eye-contact and smiled. Haigar returned it warmly with that special smile reserved just for Bailey, one that she thought would make any female melt and could break hearts.
“You should be more careful.” He murmured quietly, looking her over.
“I can look after myself.” Bailey retorted, but she sounded breathless. Haigar chuckled,
“So who was it that told me that they needed protecting now and again hrm?” Bailey laughed softly,
“I think you must have been hearing things.” She said playfully,
“Oh really?” Haigar growled, sending pleasant chills all along Bailey’s spine, Bailey giggled,
“Alright, alright, it was me!” she conceded, she slipped her arms around Haigar’s neck. “Looks like yer rescued me again.” She teased, “My hero.” Without warning Bailey leaned up and pressed her lips to Haigar’s cheek in an innocent kiss. When she drew away, Haigar’s wide eyes followed her as he stared. Bailey smiled and blushed as she looked away. “We should go home.” She whispered. Haigar smiled broadly and tilted his head, amused as Bailey avoided his gaze. Haigar lowered his face and touched his muzzle to Bailey’s cheek.
“Then we will.” he murmured.