The trees, branches, and bushes looked monstrous in the strange blue light, casting long shadows across crooked branches. The glowing mist emanated a heavy gloom.

Surely Hormiz hated him. Zeke hated himself. It was his slow reaction that got their parents killed. It was all Zeke’s fault.

Hormiz hadn’t spoken a word since they entered the woods. He held Rowan’s ingot to his chest and ignored Zeke, his eyes darting up and around in naked terror. Zeke wanted to comfort Hormiz but feared he’d only make things worse. So they continued for hours, silently wandering through the trees.

As their march wore on, Hormiz grew increasingly frustrated. He’d nearly incinerated countless squirrels, birds, and wild animals, despite Zeke’s assurances that the bright glowing light would frighten off any threats. Zeke had to stomp out several small fires after Hormiz had a frantic reaction.

Fear was contagious in the dark blue gloom. They were lost out here. Zeke had given up trying to count trees or mark their heading. Meanwhile, above the canopy, the sky had gone from starry black to dark blue to light blue with streaks of orange. In the morning light, the woods appeared less scary.

“Let’s rest for a while,” suggested Zeke.

Hormiz looked disgusted. “Fine,” he said.

Zeke almost winced at that look of disgust, but he deserved it. Zeke was disgusted at himself, too. He sat on a fallen log, pulled out a bun, and quietly ate it. He missed his parents, and it was his fault they were gone.

“Quit sniffling. It’s gross and weak,” said Hormiz, still holding Rowan’s ingot to his chest, a reminder of what Zeke had cost them.

Zeke held his breath until he finished his bun. Then he asked, “You’re not eating?”

The question angered Hormiz. “I don’t need food, I need life energy! You said you would feed me! Now I’m stranded on this bizarre planet, I’m going to starve! While you treat me like some pet or servant!”

“Oh!” Zeke said. Promises made in dreams are easily forgotten, but he remembered now. “I’m sorry! What do I do? How do I give you my life energy?”

Hormiz calmed down a bit. Then he said, “With Lilith, I drank it in her milk. I suppose we try that.”

Zeke was shocked. “I don’t make milk!”

“Well, that’s how it worked before, so take your shirt off!”

Zeke pouted a moment but then did as he was told.

Hormiz stepped forward and Zeke felt his cheeks flush.

“This isn’t weird,” said Hormiz. “Don’t make this weird.”

Then Hormiz got on his knees and began sucking Zeke’s nipples. Zeke tried not to make it weird, but it felt weird. Awkward. Stiff. Uncomfortable. Kind of arousing.

Hormiz sucked on Zeke’s nipples until they were sore and tender.

“Are you getting anything?” Zeke asked finally.

“No!” Hormiz shouted and got up off his knees. “This isn’t working!”

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Zeke feared he would lose Hormiz if they couldn’t make this work. “Let’s try something else.”

“I don’t know what else to try! It’s only ever been this way!”

Zeke had an idea. “Let me try something.” He stepped forward and kissed Hormiz on the lips. He breathed into Hormiz’s mouth, but Hormiz stepped away, looking disturbed.

“No. But that does give me an idea. Something I’ve seen humans do in dreams.”

Zeke said, “Okay. Whatever it is, let’s try it.”

Hormiz paused a moment. Then he got returned to his knees and pulled down Zeke’s pants.

Zeke was stunned and nervous but also excited. Almost instantly excited.

Hormiz put the tip of Zeke’s swelling penis in his mouth and sucked, his tongue sliding under his slit.

It felt incredible. Better than anything he’d felt with Toa.

Hormiz began to move his lips up and down the shaft of Zeke’s penis.

Zeke shuddered and sighed with pleasure. Tenderly, he ran his fingers through Hormiz’s thick black hair. His thumbs gently grazed Hormiz’s fox ears.

Hormiz grabbed Zeke’s buttocks in either hand and pulled him forward. Zeke’s cock slid down Hormiz’s throat.

Zeke felt something rise deep within him. He sighed loudly. His body shook and his knees almost gave way.

Hormiz made gagging sounds but held tight to Zeke’s ass, his face deep in bush. When Hormiz finally pulled away, Zeke shuddered as his over-sensitive penis slid out of Hormiz’s throat and mouth. He nearly collapsed onto a fallen log from light-headedness. Even his vision was starry.

“What was that?” he asked. “Did it work?”

Hormiz stood up and wiped fluids from his lips and chin. He sighed deeply. “It worked,” he said. “Let’s go.”

But Zeke was exhausted. “Don’t you sleep?” he asked.

Hormiz was shocked. “It’s too dangerous to sleep here!”

Zeke shook his head. “No, it’s daytime. We should be fine for a few hours. Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?” Hormiz demanded, sounding fearful.

“Just to grab supplies. I’ll be right back.” Zeke stood up and doorwaed to the caves he was raised in. The house was still mostly rubble, but Zeke found blankets and camping supplies. He looked around for Dook, but the mink was probably off hunting. So Zeke doorwaed back to Hormiz, who was apoplectic.

“What the fuck?! You can’t leave me like that!” he shouted. “I’m not a pet for you to just leave as you please!”

Zeke felt awful. He dropped the blankets and supplies and ran to Hormiz, holding his free hand. “I’m sorry. I know you’re not a pet. I’m not going to leave you.”

That softened Hormiz slightly.

“And look! I brought us blankets and stuff to make a tent. It’s not much, but it should keep us secure while we sleep.”

Hormiz was skeptical. “How will that keep us safe?”

“Watch, I’ll show you.” Zeke hurried to assemble a tent and bedding with the supplies he’d brought. He covered the tent with sticks and leaves for camouflage. When he was finished, it was practically invisible at a distance.

“Mama taught me how to camp,” Zeke said proudly and ended sadly. “Anyway, we should both fit. I laid some blankets down, so we won’t sleep on the ground.”

“We? No. Make me another tent,” demanded Hormiz.

Zeke was stunned, then annoyed. “Fuck you! I’m not your servant, either, you know! This is all I could find after you blew up my home!”

Hormiz looked scared and miserable.

Zeke immediately regretted his outburst. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

Hormiz shook his head. “No, you’re right. It’s all my fault. You owe me nothing, and I… I won’t even survive without you. I’m a parasite. I’m only good as a weapon. And soon you’ll realize it, and then you’ll leave me.”

“That is not true!” Zeke went to Hormiz and grabbed his shoulders fiercely. “None of this is your fault! It’s my fault! I should have been faster. I was supposed to save us all. It’s my fault they’re dead. And I am so, so sorry. I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you! And I will never leave you, I swear it! Whatever we do, wherever we go now, we do it together. It’s you and me. Forever.”

Hormiz fell into Zeke’s arms. They cried together for a long time.

Then, thoroughly exhausted, they lied down and fell asleep.