Redwall Commission: Felldoh/Martin
"Oof!" Martin tumbled into the pit, paws bound and unable to catch himself. He braced for a painful landing, but hit something at least a little softer than the hard-packed dirt. There was a yelp from beneath him, and he rolled off into the dust. "Martin! Well, at least you're still alive." What he'd landed on proved to be a squirrel, sinewy and thin like all the slaves, but strong. He had cushioned Martin's fall with his big bushy tail. Martin recognised him as Felldoh, another of the defiant ones. Alongside him was a little mouse, younger and far healthier than either of them, looking frightened (inasmuch as Martin could see him in the dimness) but just as hasty as Felldoh in helping Martin get upright and untied. The young mouse introduced himself as Brome, and Martin recognised the name if not the face; when he brought up Rose and Grumm, the mystery voices he'd heard up on the walltop, Brome cried with joy. "You stick with us, Brome. We'll get you out of here..." ~ Martin intended to sleep all afternoon, but he napped more than slept, tired from spending all the past night out tied upright in freezing rain but unable to find true rest. Too worried about his new companions, and Brome's allies outside. He kept waking with a sharp jerk, nightmares running through his head of the friendly voices from outside the wall being captured and thrown in with them, of being left in the pit until they all died of thirst, of little Brome facing the Tyrant's cruelty. Most of the young ones in Marshank had been born into slavery; the last one Martin was truly familiar with who had been captured in puphood was himself. He didn't think he could bear seeing it happen to another. "You alright?" Felldoh nudged Martin with a footpaw the fourth time he woke. Sunset had passed and the moon wasn't overhead yet, so little light passed into the pit, just the odd glimmer of stars. Martin could just about see the gleam of the squirrel's eyes as he sat against the wall. A shadowy lump at the other side of the pit snored quietly as Brome slept the undisturbed sleep of one with no real idea what could happen to him soon. "Not really," Martin groaned, sitting up. He'd been resting his head on the coil of rope Felldoh and Brome had taken from his arms, and he shoved it aside. "Restless. You know." "I understand." Felldoh sounded unfocused. Reminiscing. "My dad's out there in the compound. I don't know if he knows I'm even alive. I don't know for sure if he is - hope so. He didn't do anything..." Martin remembered how the squirrel had come so close to killing one of their most enthusiastic torturers with a flung rock. They both understood the frustration and rage of feeling so helpless, of there being so little they could do to improve their lot or anybeast else's. All they could do now was wait for help, and neither was good at that. He shuffled closer to Felldoh, speaking quietly so as to not wake Brome or draw attention. "I'm sure he is. Badrang needs living slaves, doesn't he?" Felldoh spat. "Yeah. Bastard." But he looked a little less tense. "You're right. Dad doesn't stick up from the crowd, not like me. He'll be fine." "One less thing to worry about, I suppose," Martin muttered. "I'm sorry, I hate this. I know you must too." "You think we can trust Brome's sister and their friend?" "Oh, I'm sure we can trust them. I just don't know what we can trust them to be capable of doing." Martin laughed once, humourlessly. "How are they supposed to help us from out there?" "I don't know, but we're both tired and anxious and going without sleep. Just because we can't think of anything right now doesn't mean there isn't anything to be done." "That's true." Martin reached out and took Felldoh's paw. "Thank you." "Don't. I'm as baffled as you. I just don't want either of us to go mad with panic." Martin laughed again, a little more sincerely. Both were quiet for a while. Then Martin broke the silence."I don't want to die down here." Felldoh shifted and pulled Martin to lie against his shoulder. "Not many beasts want to die." "I wouldn't mind, if it meant something. You know?" Martin said, and shivered. "If I'd died fighting, I could have at least given the others hope. I don't want to starve down here in the dark and be forgotten." Felldoh covered his snout so Martin wouldn't hear him sniffle. "Yeah. I know." They were silent for a while again. Martin rested against Felldoh, happy not to move. The squirrel was more comfortable than the dirt floor, at least, and they were both used to sleeping huddled next to any warm body in the barracks. Martin felt something brushing his whiskers and flicked them to shoo off what he thought was a bug, blinking when the something moved closer. It pressed warmly against his cheek, smoothing down his fur, and he recognised it as Felldoh's big, rough paw. "What-?" Felldoh jerked his arm back. "Oh! Sorry... Weren't you asleep? Did I wake you?" "Almost. What was that about?" Martin saw Felldoh's shadow shift as his ears flattened. "Um... Nothing, nothing... You just seemed like you needed some comfort." Martin smiled. "First time I've heard that in seasons. Thank you... How about you?" He reached up and gave his new squirrel friend a hug, which Felldoh returned. "I wish I could do more." "Well... I don't know if you'd want to, but we could?" "Huh?..." Martin took a few seconds to figure it out, but not very long. Innocence in Marshank didn't last long - nobeast had true privacy. "... Oh! Oh. I... didn't think you were interested in that kind of thing? Then again, I don't know you well. Silly assumption on my part?" "Mm, less than some beasts," Felldoh said, wiggling his paw in a "so-so" gesture. "But it can feel good, and I like you. I want to make you feel good too. Especially if... if either of us doesn't get another chance." Martin paused to think it over. He knew roughly how things were done, and it certainly wasn't a repellent idea. Felldoh was a good fellow, friendly and trustworthy, and as deserving a creature of a brief moment of pleasure and peace as anybeast Martin knew. If he wanted to let Martin feel better than he did right now, there was no sense in not returning the favour. And now Martin thought about it, he'd noticed in a detached way when it was still daylight that the squirrel was quite handsome. Pressed up against Felldoh's wiry arms and broad shoulders, he wasn't feeling quite so detached now. He felt his ears turn warm and his whiskers twitch. "Well... Let me check on Brome." With reluctance, Martin peeled away from Felldoh's side and crawled to the sleeping youngling. A quick investigation proved Brome was thoroughly asleep, facing the pit wall and dead to the world. He didn't wake when Martin briefly petted his ears, so if they were quiet, he reckoned they should be alright. He slid back and pressed up against Felldoh, even closer this time, and whispered "We're fine." Felldoh started stroking Martin's cheek fur again, and let their noses touch. "Good. You sure?" "Yeah. Just... go slow, alright? I don't know what I'm doing." "I'm not too sure either. All we can do is try, right?" Felldoh leaned even closer. "We could start by... kissing, I suppose. That seems easy." "Alright..." Martin took a deep breath, opened his mouth just a fraction, and pushed forward, capturing Felldoh's lips with his own. Both their mouths were dry and chapped, but warm.The two stayed that way for a moment, breathing in each other's scent. Bold Felldoh was the first to move further, his tongue slipping out to touch tips with Martin's and urge it to move in turn. Martin joined him, tongues entwining cautiously, then more urgently as they discovered the new feelings it brought. Their dry mouths moistened, their hearts beat faster, and the chill of the pit seemed to fade away. Martin kissed Felldoh harder, rougher, knowing they could both take it, and couldn't remember the last time his blood had raced like this with any emotion other than rage. Felldoh was bigger and could breathe deeper, so Martin was the one to pull back first, gasping. "Whew..." "You alright?" "Better than alright! That was... that was good. I'm sorry, I don't know better words." Felldoh laughed softly and kissed Martin's nosetip. "Then don't bother with words." "Alright..." Martin ran his hand over Felldoh's chest through his tattered shirt, feeling ribs under ropy muscle, and noticing the callouses on the squirrel's paw as it stroked his ears. This was the body of a creature who had survived Marshank's harshness for many seasons already and could survive many more, just like his own. Admirable, yet familiar. Comforting; a strong presence he could trust to stand by his side in a struggle. He hoped Felldoh took the same comfort from him. Their roaming paws explored each other's faces and bodies, smoothing and combing through grubby pelts, warming cold skin. Felldoh took hold of Martin's slim, hairless tail with one paw and ran his thumb over it rhythmically, making Martin shiver and bury his own claws in Felldoh's bushy tailfluff. The sensitive extensions of their spines flexed and twitched as the touches ran up their backs, bristling their fur, and right back down to pool heat in their bellies. Martin shifted his knee up between Felldoh's legs and pressed up, feeling the bulge under his rags start to swell. "Do you want me to, uh, take care of that?" he whispered. "Please," Felldoh gasped. "Do whatever you want, I'll let you know if I don't like it. I trust you." "I'll try to be worthy of that trust." Martin slunk down close to the dirt floor, resting on his elbows, and his paw joined Felldoh's to pull his clothes aside. In the dark it was hard to see what was under them, so Martin took hold of the squirrel's half-hard cock and took its measure as he stroked it; pretty big as far as he could tell, with the limited comparisons he had, but not intimidatingly so. He stroked it to full mast, gripping firmly but gently, rubbing circles with his thumb and listening to Felldoh groan and shudder. When it was as big as it was going to get, his paw no longer closed around it and slickness had started beading at the tip. Martin shifted position as he realised he was lying uncomfortably on his own erection, rolling his hips to the side to allow it space. "Still good?" "Mmmf, yesss..." Felldoh chewed on the collar of his tunic and tangled his paws in its hem, trying hard to stay quiet. "Would you... would you mind licking it? That's good..." "Alright." Martin tentatively, curiously, touched the tip of his tongue to the salty-smelling slit at the point of the cock in his paw; it tasted bitter, but not terrible, and the shaft smelled musky but just tasted like skin. He pressed his tongue flat and ran it up and down, getting familiar with the feeling of hot pulsing flesh, then took it inside his mouth. Felldoh bit down harder to muffle more sounds and Martin let his saliva coat the flesh. If this was going where he thought it might, he'd handle it better if it was slicker. He pulled back and said "Do you want to finish like this or move on to...?" "You're alright with that? Hellgates, yes!" Felldoh pulled his and Martin's clothes all the way off and heaped them up to form as much of a soft padded spot as he could. "You don't think it's gonna hurt?" "I've had worse pains." Martin winced and rubbed his shoulders - they were aching again. "I think we all have." "Still, I don't want to add to it. That would defeat the purpose... Hold on, lie down here. No, on your front. Legs apart, keep your tail out of the way. This might feel strange but it's worth a try." Martin did as instructed and braced himself for pain as Felldoh knelt behind him, but felt none. Instead, Felldoh leaned down and warm breath ruffled the fur on his thighs. He was about to ask what the squirrel was doing when Felldoh's cold moist nosetip touched the base of his tail, making him flinch slightly. "Hold still!" Felldoh hissed. "Alright..." Martin's normal defensiveness made him tense at the thought of somebeast doing unknown things behind his back, but he reminded himself to trust Felldoh. The squirrel had no reason to harm him and was exploring new territory just as much as he was. He tried to relax. Felldoh gripped Martin's haunches, firmly but careful of his claws, and kneaded the stiff muscles for a moment before holding them apart. Martin was skinny, like they all were, so there wasn't much to hold; he still enjoyed the feeling of the hard, strong muscle, and kept squeezing as he lowered his mouth down. At least Martin's all-night soaking had been a passable substitute for a bath, he supposed - he smelled inoffensive, just a little typical mouse musk, so Felldoh didn't hesitate to start licking the little knot of muscle, trying to get it to relax. "What are you-?!" "Shh!" Martin's first urge was to pull away, but Felldoh held his hips down and continued licking and nuzzling. It took a while for him to get used to the odd sensation, but it wasn't horrible, just unexpected, so he relaxed and let his friend work. Felldoh soon added a finger and very slowly pushed inside, lubricated by his ample saliva, taking it a hairsbreadth as a time as Martin relaxed fully for possibly the first time in seasons. By the time Felldoh got up to two fingers, Martin was lying limp, almost sleepy except for his demanding erection still pressing into his belly fur and getting harder by the second. "Alright, that's enough, I can handle it." "Sure?" Martin grinned, his teeth shining in the dark. "Trust me, I'll tell you if I don't like it." "Haha, here goes then..." "Wait." Martin rolled over onto his back, knees raised. "I'd rather be able to see what we're doing." "It's dark." "I know! Principle of the thing." Felldoh snickered. "Aww, you wish you could see my pretty face?" Martin shoved him. "Just do it!" Felldoh spat in his paw and re-slicked himself, then gripped Martin's hips and eased his shaft into the mouse's hole, again moving only a little at a time. Martin groaned and clawed at the ground, feeling the uncomfortable stretch increase, then fade. Halfway in, Felldoh paused, letting him relax again. "I did say I can take some pain, you know." "I know. I don't want you to have to." Martin was glad of the darkness as his ears flushed pink and he smiled. "How kind. Seriously, I'll be fine. Don't frustrate yourself too much." "Well, if you're asking so nicely..." Felldoh drew back and pushed in again, not too hard or fast but more so than before. Martin grunted but didn't complain; it didn't exactly hurt, more an unfamiliar feeling of stretch and pressure. He felt around in the dark and grasped Felldoh's arms, craving an anchor point. "That's good... Yeah, it feels fine. Keep going." "Just 'fine'? Can I make it better?" "I don't know. Shift around a bit..." Felldoh's strong paws lifted Martin's hips, tilting his body back and forth, as Felldoh kept sliding in and out, trying to find a better angle. It took some experimenting, but finally Martin arched his back and bit his lip when something inside was struck and caused a burst of warmth through his body. "Ah! Mmf... Careful. Slower with that." "Hurt?" "No, I just don't want to make too much noise," Martin whispered. Felldoh froze for several breaths, but no noise alerted them - nobeast had heard. Both older beasts relaxed, Felldoh slumping down over Martin and leaning on his paws, their snouts almost bumping. The squirrel smiled. "That good?" Martin grabbed Felldoh's neck and pulled him down into another kiss, this one far more forceful. Their sounds were muffled as they resumed rocking together, fur ruffled and tails thrashing. Martin wrapped his arms over Felldoh's shoulders and hooked his ankles around the squirrel's back, pulling him as close as possible. Their long front teeth locked together, their tongues snaking through the gaps to entwine. Martin's shaft dripped clear pre-come onto his white belly fur. Felldoh's own fluid lubricated his movements, allowing him to thrust ever faster, until he groaned deeply and jerked to a stop, come flooding out of him and into Martin. Martin himself wasn't quite done, and when Felldoh recovered he noticed. He broke out of their kiss, licked his paw, and reached down to help. With the pressure still inside him, it only took seconds for Martin to tense and muffle a cry with his paw as he soaked his own belly fur in white, his stress pouring out of him along with the flow. He sagged back to the ground, feeling as limp as an empty sack, aches and pains from his night in the rain almost forgotten. Felldoh rolled over before his weight crushed the mouse, and they lay side by side, breathing hard. Martin was the first one to remember Brome; still sleeping, what a relief. He looked up at the grate over the pit's top, ears perked, but nobeast outside seemed to have heard either. He spat on his paw and used it to try to wipe his fur clean, as much as he could. Felldoh rearranged their makeshift clothing bed and lay back down. "Ahhh! This feels better than the ground." "Won't we get cold?" "Squirrel, remember? I've got that - haha - covered." Felldoh pulled Martin down beside him and wrapped his big bushy tail over them both. He was right, it was comfortable and warm, and Martin fell asleep very quickly, resting his head on his friend's shoulder. ~ Dawn woke them both, light easing into the shadowy pit rather than the glare they were used to. It was oddly pleasant, and Martin smiled, resolved to take little joys where he could. He felt good, his constant simmering anger cooled by pleasure and the presence of a trusted friend. He couldn't truly remember, but perhaps this was how it felt to be free. "Morning!" Martin jumped at the sudden reminder of another creature's presence. Brome was finally awake, lying on his front and watching the other two with a cheerful smile. "How long have you-?" Felldoh spluttered, trying to pull his shirt out from under Martin and sending him sprawling. "Ow! Hey, that's a nice wakeup call," he said, rubbing his nose. "Oh, not long!" Brome said. "I just didn't want to wake you two. You looked so sweet and happy! Wish I had something to draw on." "How nice," Felldoh grumbled, ears flushed. "Um, thanks anyway." "Besides, I thought you needed to sleep in," Brome added. "I know how annoying it is when something wakes you up. Happens all the time to me!" Martin and Felldoh looked at each other and hid smirks.