FSE

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Chapter 1: The newcomer.

Asterius was a little absentminded as he just sat in one of the Elysium glades, it had been a while since Zagreus had faked an escape attempt and challenged him, oh yes…he knew they were just mock attempts nowadays, having crossed weapons with the godling, the minotaur had noticed how Zagreus wasn’t fighting so frantically or desperately anymore, which meant something had changed and given the return of the queen it was not that hard to piece together.

Still…he would not mind a sparring partner right about now.

Barely had the thought crossed Asterius’ mind did the gate to Elysium open, this intrigued the minotaur as the layer of Hades had not been put in alert, so it wasn’t an escapee or another security test.

The white-haired young man who stepped into the glade looked around with wonder in his eyes, so it was quite a sure assumption that it was a newcomer.

Curious as he was however, Asterius knew how most reacted to seeing him for the first time so he subtly tried to leave, but best as he tried, he stepped on and broke a fallen branch which made the newcomer turn his attention right to him.

Given how the minotaur expected hostility or shock or disgust, he was surprised when the newcomer instead looked at him with awe, wonder and even intrigue. The only one who looked at him this way was Theseus, his friend who had found him in the underworld and dragged him into Elysium, the home of heroes and legends, to become his friend and rival.

“I am not sure what I expected to find when I entered this place, but it certainly was not the legendary bull of minos. I am honored to meet you.” The newcomer gave Asterius a courteous bow.

For a few moments the mythical bovine was left speechless. It had been even longer since someone introduced themselves so formally to him.

“I…Appreciate that, newcomer.” Despite being found out, the stranger chuckled, “Is it [i]that [/i]obvious I am new around here?”

Asterius faintly smirked “Quite so. Might I know your name, newcomer? You seem to have an edge over me on that front.”

“You can call me Damon, no last name. And yes. I tend to have quite the skill for sneaking up on others unwittingly,” while introducing himself, the man never let up on his friendly disposition.

“No last name?” the minotaur inquired.

The man’s smile fell just a bit. “Given the history I have with my mortal family, I would rather die again than bear their cursed surname.”

Asterius nodded, he understood given how his father had banished him to a labyrinth while he was just an infant and then sent “heroes” to slay him when he got older. He only blamed his father, the people sent after him hadn’t known any better.

The mood quickly lightened as Damon looked around. “So this is Elysium? I have heard many tales…”

Asterius huffed a bit amused “Don’t get your hopes up too much, it does get a little dull after a while.” But Damon didn’t look deterred. “I am not ready to end my adventure just yet, whether here or in the other layers, I will leave my mark.”

Theseus had said something similar when he had asked why he had sought him out after death, but had then seemed content after bringing him back.

Damon made a thinking sound “Say…given how long you have been here, you must know your way around…perhaps you could show me the lay of the lands so to speak?”

Asterius was again taken off guard, but he saw no qualms with the suggestion. Just as he wished for something to entertain him, in comes this rather strange man. With a nod and a following motion, he began to lead the way.

“Just letting you know right now Damon, I expect a little something from you at the end of this tour.”

“Oh?” Damon sounded intrigued.

Asterius smirked “I love the feel of clashing against others in battle, testing and pushing my limits and I know of no better way of getting to know someone. I would ask for a spar with you.”

[i]A spar? Against the legendary minotaur!?[/i] Damon could barely wait.

Just as unexpectedly did the bovine voice his desires, the man was all too eager to agree to his terms, even sounding thrilled as he did so. Asterius could feel excitement building within himself as well but kept a handle of himself, giving a tour of a few landmarks first, as per their agreement.

Just as it was on the mortal plane, nothing was truly perfect. Elysium was often revered as a paradise, but it too has its flaws. It catered to many desires of people, knowledge, pleasure, food and drinks, heated battles and quiet sanctuaries for those weary of battle. But underneath it all was a dullness, it threatened to take the joy of life out of everything…perhaps that is why the river flowing through the layer had the property of forgetfulness, so one could forget the dullness and begin enjoying the afterlife anew?

Damon had honestly expected Asterius to lead him into the otherworldly arena for their spar, but instead motioned for him to follow him to a small glade.

“Fighting in front of an audience is far too distracting for a spar.” Was the brief explanation the minotaur offered him.

Damon’s eyes did widen slightly when Asterius summoned his battleaxe, it was massive and he dreaded how it would feel to get hit by it.

“So newcomer…what weapon do you wield?” Asterius asked with intrigue.

With a smirk Damon was suddenly grasping twin swords. The minotaur paused, “You just keep surprising me.” he muttered and then returned Damon’s smirk.

“Say…before we begin, how about we make this a little more interesting?” Damon asked.

“Oh?” Asterius listened.

“How about the winner gets to make a little request of the loser?” The minotaur smirked at the suggestion, yes that would indeed make it more interesting and give their spar some actual stakes. With a short nod of agreement the two began to clash.

Damon wasn’t exactly what one would call a ‘warrior,’ he wasn’t one to actively pick out foes or seek conflict, but it always helped to have a weapon of some sort on hand. In that same vein, his fighting style was nothing overly complex or skillfully honed. As the fighting began it was clear that Asterius had the advantage in many fields, such as martial skill and strength, but Damon did not back down.

“Not bad…perhaps in a couple decades you might prove a challenge.” Asterius playfully taunted.

Wiping the sweat off his brow Damon took a deep breath “Yeah…I am no match for you in a martial contest…but…”

The minotaur’s eyes widened as Damon disappeared in a burst of speed and he only barely managed to block.

“When it comes to speed, few can keep up with me.” Asterius tried to counter attack with an overhead strike, but rather than hand a solid hit he found Damon nested on the handle of his axe with both his sword crossed over his neck.

“Guess I caught up to you faster than you anticipated.” Damon turned Asterius’ taunt on him. After overcoming his brief shock Asterius began to heartily laugh “I have not been that caught off guard by a sparring partner for years!”

With the mood lightened, Damon eased his blades from the minotaur’s neck. Death had little meaning to them at this point, but he rather not inflict needless pain nonetheless. He made his point in surprising the seasoned fighter.

After calming down Asterius looked at Damon “You must be one of Hermes’ kids.”

Briefly flinching Damon was in awe at how quickly the minotaur had figured it out. “Yeah…he’s my dad…never got to spend much time with him, he didn’t know I existed until he picked up my soul to be taken to the underworld, but I was always gifted in speed.”

Asterius nodded. There were many spawn of the gods, born in the mortal plane and never knowing their true heritage until finally meeting their demise.

“He was a bit upset upon our first meeting. You can say what you want about Hermes, but he does care for all his children, gods or mortals. Negotiated a bit with Hades himself to tip my fate ever so slightly more in the positive direction, which is how I ended up here rather than Asphodel…I was a minor hero at best during life. My actions were often driven more so by the thrill of adventure rather than out of the kindness of my heart. In the end, I would say I did more good than harm during my lifetime though.”

The minotaur listened, intrigued by the new face’s journey. He was also glad that Damon wound up getting closer with his father. Some children of the other gods were not so lucky. Aside from his plucky personality, Asterius saw a potential of sorts within him. Perhaps if training under him, the man could be molded into a true warrior?

“Aw well… To the victor goes the spoils,” Damon said, snapping the bovine from his thoughts. He had almost forgotten…

Huffing amused Asterius looked at Damon “So…[i]victor[/i]…what shall your request be?”

It was mildly confusing to the minotaur as Damon, who had but a moment ago looked so confident now looked sheepish and shy.

“If it is not too intrusive…” Damon gulped nervously.

“Perchance I might request a kiss?” Hearing the request Asterius' mind just shut down momentarily, surely that had to be a jest…but given how shy Damon was acting he doubted it…but surely not. Him? The monster of the maze? Most looked at him with little else but revulsion for his appearance.

“I…understand…” Damon backed off.

This snapped Asterius out of it “No that is not it…I was just…very surprised by your request Damon, I am hardly…attractive…”

“Are you kidding me?! You are sculpted like a god and on top of that you have such a unique exotic flair about you.” Asterius blinked and felt his cheeks faintly heat up as Damon praised his looks. “Of course it is not just your body, your personality is beautiful as well, you’re very kind and thoughtful. Heh, a gentle giant you might even say.”

The minotaur chuckled a bit and felt his unease ebbing a bit. Having a friend in the form of Theseus… That already seemed like the best he could have ever hoped for. He never imagined actually kissing anyone, the very thought of someone actually being attracted to him had just seemed…impossible.

For the first time in ages, the monster of the maze himself felt nervous, maybe even fearful as he leaned down a bit. His heart was pounding in his chest when he felt hands touch both sides of his face. Damon was already leaning close to him. He had no idea what to expect but when their lips did connect, it was soft…and warm.

To be held like this…so gently and caringly…it was unlike anything he had ever experienced, easily matching even the most thrilling battles he had.

When it was over, they were looking into each other’s eyes. In them there were no sense of fear or disgust. Truly, it felt like Damon was seeing him for who truly was.

“How was it?” Damon asked. “I am not really good at things like this, so I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable or something like that.”

The minotaur was still stunned, basking in the lingering feelings, trying to come to term with them.

“No…it was…fine…” Asterius assured, even though it had been more than just fine, he just couldn’t find the words to properly describe how he felt.

His world was spinning and everything felt so unsure now. Immediately Asterius’ mind turned to what he usually did when he was unsure. He would talk to Theseus about it.

“I…I need to be somewhere soon..!” his tone was suddenly frantic.

“Hey that’s okay, I know my way around a little now, I will just explore on my own a bit. See you around, Asterius!” Damon bid the minotaur farewell. He was just as jovial, making the beast feel as if he should say or do something.

“See you around…” Asterius muttered as he looked longingly down the path where Damon used to leave the little glade.

His feet instinctively began carrying him to the arena and to the backrooms where the champion, his friend Theseus, often resided.

“Ah! There you are, my friend!” the champion of Elysium greeted his friend warmly. He paused the goblet he was raising to his mouth as he both saw and felt how…[i]off[/i]…Asterius was acting.

“Is everything alright, my stalwart companion? Come, sit, tell me.”

The minotaur did as asked reflexively, sitting down before the champion, still musing on all that had happened. “I have met someone. A newcomer to Elysium.”

“Oh…I was not aware of any newcomers…do tell my friend.” Theseus offered his willing ear to his friend.

Quizingly, the minotaur retold the events of coming across Damon. When speaking of the spar, Theseus chuckled. At this point, being challenged to a spar was a rite of passage into the level of sorts. But his jovial mood eased when he was told of his friend’s defeat and the terms of Damon’s victory.

“That…that Blackguard! How could one ask for something so inappropriate?! I swear by Olympus that he will pay for assaulting--!”

“Theseus, please..!” the minotaur pleaded. “The kiss. It was short and nice…”

“I see…” the goblet was finally raised and there was a drawn out silence as he sipped from it.

“I shall let it pass this once and only this once because he is a newcomer, but I will be having a talk with him about appropriate conduct, such wily and hurtful jests must be stamped out at the source, lest he becomes bold or foolish enough to request other similar scandalous things of others.”

“He..he wasn’t jesting…” Asterius muttered, but Theseus didn’t hear him, too caught up in his self-righteousness.

This left the poor bovine even more confused. As he said, the kiss was nice, but he had intended to ask about all the strange feelings it had brought about to his friend, but the minotaur knew how Theseus was when he was in a mood like this, he would barely hear a word of what he was saying.

For an entire day, the minotaur mused about this. While this was all new and confusing, there was something he was certain of. He liked Damon and he enjoyed that brief kiss they shared and most of all…he wanted to meet with him again.

It seemed his desires were shared with the guy in question. Damon came speeding back to the place where they met and found Asterius there, still pondering to himself.

“There you are!” he said, beaming as he approached. “Elysium is magnificent, but some of the hero’s souls are rather…snobbish…I quickly came to miss your company.”

Asterius snorted hearing the description of the noble souls, it did fit a rather large portion of them. Of course he was not spared from many jeers and sounds of disgust when he passed them by, that was the most they could do lest Theseus get involved on his behalf.

“They didn’t treat you too badly did they?” Asterius had to ask.

“Oh no…they just questioned my place here due to my less than stellar deeds, but I just took it as a prelude to challenging them and kneeing them in the crotch.” The unexpected turn of his story made Asterius snort amused again, it served them right.

“I’ve decided to make a place of my own. Found a nice spot with a pretty pond in front, but speed doesn’t help much with building. If only there was a big, strong and handsome minotaur to lend me his aide,” his teasing dramatic tone was quick to lift said minotaur out of his dreary mood. He smiled and stood.

“Been a while since I helped construct something.” Theseus had lended out his aid after some of the older constructions had crumbled in a quake. Surely building a small home would be easier than reconstructing ruins. How he loathed repiecing the statues…he had been so happy when they were remade to reassemble themselves if destroyed again.

Damon led him to a spot that was rather nice. Before the makings of a quaint home was a small pond and stretch of green grass. It was peaceful and quiet.

“Yeah, after running around my whole life, I think it’s about time to take things slow,” Damon chuckled. There was no need to rush things, the afterlife was a very long existence, better to pace oneself than gorging and burning out like those joyless soldiers he had run into.

Asterius nodded and joined him in constructing the house. It was nothing fancy and as they worked it was revealed that it was going to be similar to Damon’s childhood home, a symbol of when things were simple and pleasant.

“Almost like the place I grew up, I loved my adopted mother…Some days I really wish my mother by blood hadn’t come back to get me again. Cursed woman wanted to exploit my divine gifts for her own gains. I would have been happy just living a simple life.” Damon hoped she had a personal room in tartarus reserved for her.

When they finished, Asterius was rather proud of the work they had done. It was a nice place, filled out with things like a kitchen, library, and a bedroom. There were ample sources of food, entertainment, and comfort around, but Damon was a fan of doing things by hand.

“You don’t enjoy something you are just handed as much as something you either make or earn.” Asterius nodded in agreement with the statement.

“I noticed we made an extra room, what is the purpose of it?” he asked.

“That’s the guest room,” Damon explained. “This place is full of arrogant snobs, but I’m sure I can make a few more friends around here. I’d like to invite them over.”

“More friends?” the minotaur asked.

“Yup, the way I see it, you’re the first friend I’ve made here,” Damon’s tone was full of nothing but warmth and admiration. “Come on, let’s take a look inside.”

The guest room was rather nice but there was something off…was it a coincidence that most of the room’s objects were…minotaur-sized?

Damon looked around and seemingly realized the same “Oh..oh dear…” he began chuckling “I..I must have thought of you when we made this and unconsciously just made everything to better fit you.”

“Does this mean..?”

“Only if you would like to,” Damon said quickly. “I mean…nobody else has quite the size to fit this room other than you…would be a bit of a waste not to use it…”

Asterius hummed “I have sometimes needed a place I could retreat to.” Though he had a friend in Theseus, he was more of a visitor to his abode. He had gotten himself used to sleeping wherever he just happened to be.

Theseus was his friend, but he was just…a bit much sometimes. He was offered to stay with him but the servants were weary of him and there was a problem with his size overall: breaking chairs when he sat on them, getting his horns stuck in doorways and caught on curtains, after some spars that proved a challenge he would unknowingly track in mud that clung to his feet, much to his friend’s dismay.

As politely as he could, Theseus told him that the living arrangement would not be suited to someone like him and directed him towards many luscious spots he could make his own.

Asterius had understood, Theseus had been a king and though born of royal blood he had no idea of manners or how to act indoors, not that most places were even suited for his size.

The meadows were a big step up from the maze, so he couldn’t really complain.

This room was nice and spacious, the doorway was wide and the ceiling was tall. Clearly, Damon had put consideration into what the minotaur would be suited to. He couldn’t help but wonder why Theseus hadn’t done the same for him. There were ample rooms in the palace, surely one would have been big enough or be refurbished to fit his size?

The quaint setting fit him perfectly though, it was mostly empty so he could decorate any way he saw fit.

Testing out the furniture, he found that they were all reinforced. He couldn’t help but sigh as he laid down on the soft bed. It didn’t even creak or groan under his weight.

“This…this feels right somehow…” Asterius commented as he just laid there and relaxed, the bed was perfect for him, he could lay down fully due to the low backend decoration and that the bed was pulled a little away from the wall rather than put all the way up to it.

“Well…I made it with you in mind, so I hope you like it.” Damon commented.

“I do…I ruined so many beds…” Asterius muttered a curse, his darn nose ring was itching again, it didn’t bother him most of the time, but occasionally it would.

“Is that thing bothering you? It is rather big even for your size.” Damon inquired.

“It’s…it’s a symbol…I can’t just get rid of it.” Asterius said quietly.

Damon didn’t push further, but had a look about him that told the minotaur he was trying to think up some kind of solution. He had had the same look while they had made this place together.

“A duel usually helps distract me when this darn thing annoys me.” Asterius got up.

“Sure…but how about we up the stakes a bit this time?” Damon asked and the minotaur’s heart began beating faster.

The minotaur nodded. By the look on Damon’s face, there was something rather exciting that he had in mind. Stepping out of the house and behind it revealed another part that was a surprise. The land was flattened and paved with smooth stone, making the perfect sparring ring.

“Hope you like it,” Damon said, his tone had just a bit of nervousness in it.

“Heh…other than the grand arena, most people just fight out in the wilds…this is a nice change of pace.” Asterius heaved his axe unto his shoulder and smirked “You won’t have the advantage of surprise this time.”

Damon smirked as he got into his stance, this would not be easy, but hopefully Asterius won’t go all out on him and give him a chance.

The spar started out like it had before and when Damon attempted a burst of speed, his attack was blocked. Just as the minotaur said, his element of surprise no longer gave him an advantage.

The fight drew out and Damon just did not have the kind of stamina that Asterius did, but the minotaur thankfully was taking it easy on him.

In one last desperate bid Damon feinted an attack, only to slide between the minotaur’s legs. Dragging his swords through the shins made the bovine fall before trying to put his swords around his neck again, but Asterius abandoned his axe, reached back and gripped him and threw him over his head.

Damon laid there panting, the minotaur truly did live up to his legend as a powerhouse. Asterius got up, despite the hard fought battle neither of them had any wounds, such things simply did not exist for spirits like them, but given enough damage they would temporarily disperse before reforming somewhere else in Elysium.

“That was quite a move you tried there, almost got me again.” Asterius smirked, he felt closer to Damon through their battle.

“Not enough though, you were taking me more seriously, but nowhere near fully serious.” Asterius just chuckled “You got a sharp eye, most would not recognize that.”

“So…guess I lost this one…that makes the request yours.” Damon reminded the minotaur who felt at a loss at what to do with his prize.

“Then I request you make the choice,” Asterius said, doing his best to keep his nervousness hidden.

“You did make a room just for me, this is just me returning the favor.” The minotaur justified, but honestly he simply had no idea what to request and he didn’t want to look foolish in front of his new friend by admitting that.

After getting over his own shock, Damon took a moment to think about what he wanted. As he promised, he wanted to up the stakes beyond just a kiss. When the idea finally came, he too did his best to conceal the nervousness he felt within.

“Alright then. Loser has to strip,” he figured.

“What?!” the minotaur cried out.

Damon chuckled in response. Then nervously poking his index fingers together “Well…I just kinda want to see you…you know…natural. I-I can strip too if that makes it more comfortable to you.”

Asterius chuckled as Damon’s shyness returned, but then blushed when thinking about his newest friend naked. To make things less awkward, he figured that they could take a dip in the pond to cool off after their spar. It was a setting where one would naturally undress, so Damon hoped it made the minotaur feel more comfortable with his request.

“Y-you can also decline of course…I would never force you to…”

“No no…it’s fine…given we now have a place together we would end up seeing each other nude sooner or later anyway, might as well get it out the way.” Asterius blushed. With that logic, the two of them were soon before the pond and stood there for a few moments.

Taking a deep breath, Asterius started to undress himself. He was used to either doing so in private or when no one else was around in the open fields and glades. He could feel a pair of eyes on him. It made him blush but he continued as no sounds of disgust came. Instead they were gasps of awe as his broad chest was fully exposed and one of excitement when he finally revealed his nude lower half.

The minotaur looked over at Damon who looked like he wanted to die of embarrassment “Oh god, did I really just make those sounds?”

“I…am flattered.” Asterius looked away as he blushed.

“Well, I better get undressed as well, not staring at you like a piece of…handsome meat.” Damon blushed again as that comment just slipped out unwillingly.

He was much more comfortable in undress and revealing himself to the other male. With his clothes dropping to the ground, the two of them finally stood nude before each other and took in the form of the other.

As expected, Asterius’ body was tall and broad. Looking down even lower, Damon’s eyes fell upon what looked to be a hefty septer that made his face warm. Now it wasn’t…huge, but it was a very healthy size for a minotaur of his stature. While he admired it, he couldn’t help but notice that Asterius was looking away, as if ashamed of his own form.

“It’s very nice…” this time Damon was the one fighting to describe what he saw.

“Heh…better comment than how the court scribes described it…”A size only good for impregnating cows, or tearing apart unfortunate women.””

“I prefer to seek the truth for myself. You should be proud of your body. It’s wonderful: strong, tall… Come on, let’s take a dip.”

Nodding, the minotaur joined him into the comfortable water. It was just the thing he needed to wash away the heat and stickiness that came from sweating. Damon sat across from him, enjoying the water as well.

Gathering courage Asterius took a look at Damon’s naked body. The pure waters allowed him to see it all. He wasn’t muscular like a warrior like Theseus, but rather like one of the swift messengers that ferried messages between the gods in days of old he had seen depicted in a painting.

Curiously he looked downwards towards his lower half and saw his member was…well…he had only ever seen Theseus naked by accident and he had not been that big…it was…more like his own in proportion.

Having never peered upon another male’s nude form intentionally, he was getting a bit excited and Damon caught sight of through the clear waters. He didn’t intend to, but wound up staring as he saw the minotaur’s endowment starting to plump up and lift.

In a bit of a daze it took the minotaur a moment to realize what was happening, embarrassed he hid his face in his hands and looked away.

“Hey…hey, it’s okay.” Damon’s gentle hand stroked his chin. “You don’t have anything to be embarrassed about Asterius…you…you are beautiful.” Damon finally admitted.

This confession struck a chord within the beastman and he slowly pulled his hand away. He saw how close Damon was to him. Something compelled him and before he realized, he was pulling the other male into a soft kiss. Rather than panic, he simply let the act run its course and allowed himself to enjoy it.

Damon gave no resistance, instead wrapping his arms around and making a small moan as he kissed back. If Asterius could not recognize just how incredible he was, then he would just have to make him realize.

An unexpected act as that of Damon’s tongue sliding in, making contact with his own. The demi-god led and Asterius was melting more and more, shedding his doubts as warmth and comfort overcame him. Such acts always seemed almost forbidden for someone like him, like they were meant to be nothing more than fantasy. Being so close, sharing tongues, Asterius felt himself become fully erect as he held onto Damon gently, yet so desperately.

“It’s okay Asterius, I am not going anywhere…there is nowhere I would rather be than right here with you.” Damon assured as one of his hands traced down his chiseled chest and softly gripped the minotaur’s erection making Asterius shudder as the touch made his heart race.

Such a simple touch felt wildly different compared to when had to take care of his own lust. It started out slow, simply going up and down but it was enough to make the bovine shiver and squirm a bit.

Hearing his voice and feeling his friend's body respond, Damon continued stroking at his length, enjoying the feeling of it in his hand while providing verbal assurances and praise to Asterius. It was the perfect size in his opinion, not overly long but having a thickness that was not commonly found in his own species.

“Aahh… D-Damon…” the minotaur groaned. The grip had gotten a bit tighter and the speed picked up just a bit.

Damon noticed just how starved for touch the beastman was, it made him wonder how long Asterius was left to tend to himself. He couldn’t understand it, now that he was feeling the minotaur’s body, he couldn’t stop himself from wanting to do more, but Asterius was clearly not ready for it yet and he didn’t want to overwhelm his friend when he so clearly needed someone to care about him.

Adjusting himself, Damon hugged their bodies together and felt the minotaur’s powerful heartbeat as he kept stroking Asterius' erection. A strong arm wrapped around him, keeping their bodies close. Now Asterius was moaning openly, fully embracing the acts being done upon him. “You are doing so well…” The demi-god praised and Asterius clung unto him just a little tighter. “Don’t worry…I won’t leave you…I promise.” Damon swore and the minotaur calmed down just a little.

The pleasure was rising and the intense excitement was getting the minotaur rather close to his limit. He told Damon this and he nodded, assuring him that it was fine. There was no need to rush things. For the time being, Asterius needed this way more than Damon did…

Easing his body up to kiss him, Damon gripped even tighter and stroked faster, having the minotaur moaning deeper into his mouth. The length was pulsing harder and small bucks of his hips told just how in need he was right now.

Groaning deeply, Asterius held on tight and arched his back slightly as he pushed past his limits. The feeling of his climax was much stronger than it ever had been. Even under the water, Damon could feel the thick spurts of his release, another sign of pent up he had been. There was only so much that one could do on their own. Still kissing him, Damon continued to slowly pump up and down, bringing out as much as he could while his friend was basking in the strong pleasure.

When it finally tapered out, the kiss had ended. Asterius was wearing a look of relief and even looked rather happy. “T-thank you…” he panted. Damon could tell that the larger male was now on the path to better self acceptance. Looking into each other’s eyes, the minotaur tilted his head and frowned. “But what about you?” it didn’t feel right leaving Damon with his own erection while he had been thoroughly sated.

“Oh that…?” Given the situation he should have known he would have gotten excited, but he had been so focused on giving Asterius what he needed that he hadn’t realized.

“It’s nothing, it will go down on its own in a moment.” Damon assured.

“But what if I want to make you feel good too?” Asterius asked and Damon shivered as the minotaur gently touched his chest.

Dammit, now his erection was definitely not going down anytime soon on its own.

“Come here…sit in my lap.” Asterius’ erection had fully gone down, so it was no issue to sit there. The minotaur gently wrapped his frame with one arm and let Damon rest on it while his other hand traveled down the white-haired demi-god’s body until it reached its goal.

He was careful when wrapping his thick fingers around it, getting a small moan out of his friend. Copying the acts done onto him, Asterius began to stroke up and down. There was more enjoyment than he expected in giving pleasure to another. Hearing his noises and feeling him tremble against his body.

All his hands had ever done was harm others and was all he had thought they were capable of, so to know they were also able to make someone feel good brought a sense of relief. Damon was encouraging him, telling him that he was doing a good job and how amazing it felt. With a smile on his face, he dared to go faster. Damon cried out, already feeling himself getting close.

“J-just a bit more…” he assured. Asterius' hand was so big and powerful, but it touched him so gently and caringly, showing that the minotaur’s beastial appearance was decieving of just what a kind soul he had. Using his other hand to rub over Damon’s chest, Asterius pumped a bit faster and was rewarded with the demi-god shouting his name as he reached his climax as well, spilling his seed into the water. When he came down from the high of pleasure, he turned his body around and kissed the minotaur again.

“So, how was [i]that[/i]?” Damon asked with a chuckle.

“Hmmm…” The bigger male playfully pondered for a moment before nuzzling against his new friend. “Amazing.” He had taken hold of Damon and lifted him out of the pond. Still carrying, they retreated into their shared home. He paused as his pelt was dripping water onto the floor, expecting to be scolded, but instead he was asked if anything was wrong.

“No, it’s all fine…” he now understood that Damon would allow him to be himself, taking the good parts of him with the bad. They found some towels, a bigger one for the bovine while Damon took a smaller one.

“Hey…I know I sort of gave up my request and all…” Asterius got a bit flustered.

“We are friends Asterius, you can ask me anything.” Damon assured.

“Can we…share a bed tonight? I have so very rarely had company at night.” The human looked flustered. Asterius blushed when he realized “I-I didn’t mean anything of [i]that sort[/i]…just…being together…maybe cuddling a little?”

The bed did just so happen to be able to fit two in addition to already being made for a minotaur. Damon wasn’t prepared for this question to be asked so soon. But the day was getting late and between the sparring and the fun they had before, he was feeling rather tired.

“Sure thing, friend,” he assured. On Asterius’ face was an almost childlike glee and excitement.

He was quick to lift his friend, carrying him to the bedroom.

The nights were always there to remind him how lonely he had been. It was only now that he realized how desperately he wanted companionship. Settling Damon on the bed, he eased onto it from the other end.

Even as they were both nude, the awkwardness had mostly fallen away. Getting comfortable under the blankets, Asterius dared to wrap his arm around his friend. Damon smiled and eased himself closer to the big beastman, pressing his back to the soft furred chest.

“Hmm…safe…” Damon muttered as he fell asleep.

Asterius blushed, but felt immensely grateful that his friend found his presence protective. It was a feeling that he could get used to.