Shifting Too Read online

  Rishi preened, stretching out and offering the stark-white fur of that throat. His. His own Rishi.

  Closing his teeth over that sweet throat he rubbed again, rumbling possessively. Yes. His.

  Rishi panted, pushing against him, long spine rolling, hips rocking.

  He needed. Needed to remind Rishi who he was, who he belonged to. And he needed to give himself, too, because he loved his Rishi so much; Rishi just accepted him, all of him.

  Soft little sounds filled the air -- begging him, wanting him, needing him everywhere. Loving him.

  All he could do was hum and purr and keep moving, want coursing through his whole body as they rocked. Rishi's paws batted at him and he bit into the ruff at Rishi's neck, worrying it, rough with his desire. Sweet Rishi, he growled, sweet and Good.

  Yes. Yes, yours. His name rang out again and again, thrown into the trees, into the skies and the clouds.

  Malik threw his head back and roared his pleasure as he came to the height of it, scattering birds with the echoes. Oh, his Rishi made him proud and happy and very very tired.

  Rishi's own roar was softer, following behind his like an echo.

  Oh. He sank down, purring, nuzzling. They were far from their rock, but he might need to rest first. Since he wouldn't be worrying Rishi he might just... nap.

  Rishi licked his paw, cuddling in, making soft, sleep noises. Oh. Oh, yes. Nap.

  They would rest together. Then they would go Home. Their territory was large enough for two, definitely. That was all he needed to know.

  ***

  Being Not Real was hard.

  Harder than catching a Long-Legged Runner.

  Harder than getting a bad itch at the base of your own tail.

  Harder than Almost Anything.

  Rishi growled low, batting the grasses and watching and Not Worrying. Not, because Malik said All Was Well, but Rishi thought maybe -- just maybe -- he was supposed to be Real and Malik should be Real, too.

  Because the Not Real them had no tails.

  None.

  Not even a little bump of a tail.

  What sort of Thing had No tail?

  Not a Very Good Rishi kind of Thing.

  He was almost Sure of it.

  Mostly.

  Basically.

  Malik grumbled in his sleep, turning to his other side, paws flexing, claws sliding in and out.

  Oh. And claws. His Raj had Long, Sharp, Fine Claws.

  Whiskers, too.

  And Sky-Eyes.

  Well, the Sky-Eyes were always there, even if Malik was Not Real.

  Rishi tilted his head.

  When he was Not Real, did he have Eyes?

  He stood and padded over to the Very Very Still Water, growling to scare away any Hopping Across the Water things and Slippy Under the Water things.

  He should See this.

  Rishi Sat and Closed his eyes and Thought Very Very Hard. He thought about Malik's eyes and Malik's face and Malik's mouth making sounds that were not Real but that made sounds inside him, too. His own Raj. He would be like his own Raj. He would.

  Being Not Real was Cold.

  Rishi licked his poor NoClaw Paws for a moment, then leaned toward the water, looking. Oh.

  Oh. He looked very...

  Small.

  Bare.

  He opened his mouth wide-wide. Being Not-Real meant very little teeth.

  His Eyes were still there, though, being His.

  He heard a rustling, the padding of big feet behind him, and his Raj was there, yawning and nuzzling him. Oh! Malik's fur tickled his Bareness.

  He blinked, moving close to his Raj, the NoClaw Paws reaching out to touch.

  Malik purred Loud, pushing into his touch, the thick ruff sliding and slipping on him. It must have felt good to his Raj, because the purrs got louder, harder.

  The purrs made it feel like he'd eaten too many Butteryflies and they were flying inside him, which was silly because He'd never eaten too many Butteryflies. It must be a Not-Real feeling. Maybe it was the Real Rishi trying to come out.

  Maybe it was his Raj.

  Moving to sprawl in front of him, Malik rolled to his back, presenting his belly. Oh. Soft. White. His to touch. Sky eyes blinked at him, Malik chuffing in a sound that meant his Raj thought he was So Good.

  Soft fur. Belly fur. Rishi purred and called and rubbed, Malik warm and so Good against him. So Good that he almost -- ALMOST -- forgot he was Not Real.

  Rolling from side to side, Malik rubbed, encouraging him with growls and rumbles.

  He chuffed, nuzzling in, purring and moving to groom his...

  Phbbt.

  Gack.

  Oh.

  Fuzzy.

  Not Real Rishi mouths with No Teeth were bad for Grooming Maliks.

  He sputtered and growled, tossing his head.

  His Raj laughed at him, big tongue lolling out, paws waving. Oh. Not Fair.

  He growled, half back to real as he landed on Malik with a thud.

  Malik rolled with him, pushing him down with claws retracted, chuffing the whole while about how beautiful he was, how Good, tail or no.

  He leaned in rubbing their cheeks together. Yes. Yes, he was a So Good Rishi. A So Fine Rishi for the Raj. Yes. Yes.

  They scented for a long while, his Raj praising him for being Not Real and then being Real, loving him and licking his whiskers.

  He purred so long and loud, letting Malik know he was a So Happy Rishi. So Real. Home with his Raj and their Rock and their sky.

  Malik purred back, biting at his ruff and rumbling before putting one paw into the water to test it. His Raj loved the water more than anything except maybe his Rishi.

  Rishi closed his eyes. Tight. Waiting for the splash that was coming.

  The water washed over him in a great wave as his Raj bounced in. Malik never went in backward like his mother had shown him. Never.

  His Raj?

  Was Braver than the Water.

  Rishi listened, leaping toward the sound of Malik's panting, the water splashing all around them.

  Splashing and paddling, Malik came to him, chirruping his praise for his so Brave Rishi. Oh, his Raj was so proud of him. He could hear it.

  He preened, headbutting his Very Own Raj.

  Their roars would frighten the whole sky.

  The Scaly Swimmers and Water Hoppers, too. Which was good because even a tiger did not like them nibbling on his toes. Even his Brave Raj squirmed when the Swimmers nibbled.

  They played for a long time, until his fur was So Heavy and his head drooped.

  He nudged Malik, chirruping softly, wanting the Good Sun and their Rock.

  Malik growled and grabbed the scruff of his neck, pulling him out of the water like a cub, chuffing as his feet swam frantically to keep up. Then his Raj shook Very Hard and roared, proclaiming it a Very Good Day.

  He waited until Malik was done, then he did his own Shaking and Roaring, chuffing at the waterdrops on Malik's whiskers.

  Oh yes.

  Very Good Day.

  ***

  There were times when Malik forgot he had ever lived as a human.

  He had, for many years, sharing his life with a tribe, telling stories around the fire at night, sharing a tent with his adopted family.

  Malik did not miss it, really, not with Rishi to share his life. His young one was a joy, something he thought he would never find, another of his kind.

  But sometimes. Sometimes when the night was dark he wished for a fire and warm human skin to touch, instead of fur. It made him feel guilty, for he would never ask Rishi for more than he could give, would never wish to scare or hurt him, and Malik knew that the human form intimidated his young one.

  So instead of waking Rishi on one of those nights, Malik slipped off to where the moon illuminated the pool, making it seem almost as bright as a fire, and let his human come up to the surface, sitting in front of the water and putting his hands on his own skin, making it enough. It would have to be.

/>   He was warm, spread, hands smoothing over his skin when heard the grasses swish, heard the soft, curious purr of his Rishi. Those eyes were wide, watching him, whiskers twitching.

  He almost covered himself, flushing guiltily, but stopped at the last moment, hands shaking. He did not want to teach Rishi that being nude as a human was a bad thing, not at all. So he simply let his hands fall to his sides, showing Rishi his hardness, his flushed skin and wide eyes.

  Rishi padded forward, purring softly, nuzzling his shoulders with that soft cheek.

  His dear one. Malik lifted one hand, fingers sinking into Rishi's soft ruff, closing his eyes against the need to beg for a man's hands, a man's mouth.

  Rishi rumbled, sweet little sounds filling the air as Rishi sniffed, nostril flaring.

  Malik relaxed, willing the tiger to come to the fore, surprised as anything when it would not. His man form stayed stubbornly in place, curling up to rub against Rishi's soft underbelly.

  To his shock, Rishi changed, the soft pelt becoming sweet, smooth skin. "R...r...r...raj."

  Oh. Malik blinked, a smile dawning, hands sliding down Rishi's back. "Rishi."

  Rishi cuddled in close, body sliding against his, his Rishi shivering, panting softly.

  Holding him tight, Malik nuzzled Rishi's hair, as soft as a tiger's fur, chuffing lightly to soothe. The feel of Rishi's skin was exquisite, smooth, fine, making him shudder with need.

  Rishi moved, hands sliding over his skin, petting him.

  "Rishi." It came out as a groan, a growl, and Malik arched, legs sliding along Rishi's. His cock brushed Rishi's hip, leaving a damp trail.

  "Rrraj." Rishi pressed against him, eyes watching him.

  "Yes. My Rishi." Malik nipped, marking Rishi's skin, luxuriating in the taste.

  "Oh!" Rishi's sound was surprised, pleased, fingers tightening on his shoulders. "Raj?"

  Maybe there was something he could teach his Rishi here after all. He petted that sweet skin, licking the mark he'd left. He rubbed some more, fingers coming up to pinch at Rishi's tiny nipples.

  Rishi's shaft filled, bumping against his belly, hot as the sun. Those nipples drew up, so tight, so sensitive.

  So good. Malik nipped and licked and loved at every bit of skin he could find, reaching down to circle Rishi's shaft with his fingers.

  Rishi leaned toward him, tongue sliding on his shoulder, the contrast from the normal rough stroke sending a jolt through him.

  There were so many things he could show. So many things he could do. Malik pushed at Rishi, sending his young one tumbling down on his back, bending over him to lick at those tight nipples.

  He could hear the soft cries, feel how Rishi rippled beneath him. Those clumsy fingers were in his hair, shaking, petting.

  He didn't want to scare Rishi, not ever, but Malik needed to taste, had to, and he slid down, nudging Rishi's cock with his chin.

  Rishi moaned, legs spreading, sliding over the grass. The hot shaft brushed his throat, his cheek.

  The scent of Rishi was wild, natural, making his mouth water. Malik licked the shaft, lips working the head, pushing the loose skin there back, using his hand to steady it for his mouth.

  "Raj..." Rishi gasped, hips rolling, panting, need pouring off his sweet young one.

  "Mmmmm." Malik was just purring, opening up around Rishi and taking him in. The taste was just as he'd imagined, sharp, perfect.

  So quick, so trusting, his Rishi was moving for him, cock sliding on his tongue.

  He loved Rishi so much, needed him so much, and Malik growled, urging Rishi on, hands sliding on Rishi's heavy balls. Rishi's hands opened and closed, tugging at his hair, a roar building in the lean chest.

  Soon. Oh, please soon. Malik opened up, taking Rishi so deep, breathing in as his nose brushed soft curls. His Rishi. His.

  Salt and heat filled his lips, Rishi's roar ringing in the night.

  Malik took it all, drinking Rishi in, licking away anything he might have missed before rising to kiss Rishi hard. Rishi opened, tongue sliding, tasting, low moans sounding, vibrating his lips.

  He wanted, oh, he wanted. Malik slid along the hollow of Rishi's hip, moaning at the feel of silky skin, pushing hard toward his finish.

  Rishi's hand slid down, fingers wrapping around his need, stroking.

  "Rishi!" Oh, there was no more he could take. Malik roared, heat splashing out over Rishi's fingers, sliding between their bellies. It was so big, this pleasure. It made his head swim.

  Rishi wriggled down, sniffing, licking, cleaning his skin even as the aftershocks moved through him.

  He praised Rishi with deep sounds, chuffing and purring deep in his chest. He petted that shock of wild hair, scratching lightly, showing approval. Rishi purred, nuzzled his belly, rubbing against him. His young one was relaxed, happy in this form for the first time.

  It gave him hope. Malik loved his Rishi so, wanted to be with him no matter what. But if this need could be met, too. Oh. And he needed to teach Rishi, to make him more comfortable as a man, because the men came closer every year.

  Licking and nuzzling, Rishi worked his way up to settle in his arms, hair soft and heavy on his bare skin.

  "Love." He knew Rishi knew what love was, even if he didn't know the word. Malik held Rishi, looking at the stars above them and stroking Rishi's soft skin. They would work through it together. His Rishi gave him everything he needed. How could he not do the same?

  Rishi purred softly and relaxed, trusting him enough to rest, to feel safe.

  Malik would have to live up to that trust. And he would have to trust Rishi more, to know what Malik himself needed. Maybe they both learned a lesson this night.

  ***

  Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrraj!

  Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrraj!

  Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrraj!

  Rishi ran as fast as he could, stopping to pant and cry out for Malik before picking up his burden and running again.

  He had been Chasing and Running when he saw it.

  A Long-Legged Runner.

  A WHOLE Long-Legged Runner!

  Rishi Pounced!

  Snarled!

  Caught it!

  Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrraj!

  His Raj appeared out of the bushes, snarling and roaring, ready to defend him. The way his Raj stopped, blinking, mouth hanging open was almost Funny. Almost. But not quite because Malik starting scolding right away, grabbing the Runner and pulling it out of the open grass.

  Rishi bounced along behind, telling Malik everything about his Kill.

  His Kill!

  His Very Own So Good Rishi Kill!

  Dropping the runner, Malik snarled at him, telling him to be Very Quiet until they got the kill where they could eat without everyone in the territory knowing there was fresh meat.

  His ears went flat and he fought the urge to growl, to take his Long-Legged Runner and... And... And...

  Wish Malik was there.

  They finally got to a secluded place not far from their rock and Malik dropped the Long-Legged Runner and came to him, licking his whiskers and praising him, telling him he was So Brave and So Strong and So Fast.

  He cleaned his Paws and Claws, rumbling to himself softly. He was So Brave.

  And a Hunter.

  A Real Hunter.

  So There.

  Ha.

  Rumbling, his Raj agreed, backing away to let him have the first feed off of their meal. The first taste of his first Kill.

  Rishi went over to the Kill, looking at it before finding the choice bits and walking them over to Malik, offering them with a soft purr.

  That was the Very Best thing he could have done. He could tell by the way Malik purred and praised, licking his whiskers before taking the meat and lying down to eat.

  It made the ache in his belly gone and he pounced his Kill, eating happily.

  His Kill. His and his Raj's!

  When he had eaten so much that his belly was Too Full, he looked over. His Raj watched him through half closed eyes, the Sky
color shining with pride. For him.