The Mythology Set

Paint

Seto watched the long, shiny sword being raised above his head, grinding his teeth against the gag in his mouth. He didn't know what these people were, but he was certain of one thing: These people were barbaric. He'd watched his traveling companions die in front of him one by one, and he thanked God that he'd convinced his brother to stay at home for this trip. He didn't think he could stand to watch his little brother be callously slaughtered without going mad.

Seeing the sword coming back down, he bowed his head and closed his eyes tightly, biting back a scream. He would not give these people the satisfaction.

"Ewynthem. CynEhyvahem?"

Seto couldn't help the low keen of pain he felt when the sword missed, slicing his face from the corner of his eye to his chin.

"Emtykenghem. Ellfendsumaisafurhem."

He heard loud grumbles—angry grumbles, disappointed grumbles. He kept his eyes shut, waiting for his executioner to correct his mistake and wallop his head off. His breath hitched as he felt someone's fingers gently brush beneath his chin. 'Oh God they're not going to kill me they're going to torture me first,' he thought desperately, flinching away.

A pair of strong, calloused, and gentle hands cupped his cheeks, tilting his head upward. "Ewun'thirtyui. Elltykacyraufyui. Duntwurro."

Seto let his eyes flutter open hesitantly, feeling weak and tired; he hadn't eaten in days, and he was suddenly exhausted from all of the stress he'd been put through. He gripped the twine holding his wrists together behind his back with trembling fingers, looking up at the person speaking to him in what seemed to be a soothing manner.

The blond smiling at him had very tan skin, complimenting his chocolaty brown eyes. His cheeks were painted with a dark purple substance, a hook beneath each eye and three swirled lines like long whiskers flowing down his cheeks to his jaw. Long blond hair framed his face, laced with wooden beads and even a few feathers. Despite his resemblance to all of the barbarians that had screamed and thrown rocks at him, the blond looked comforting.

The blond traced the cut on his face carefully, muttering something in what looked like disgust.

He had no idea what the blond had said, but he could tell he wasn't going to die right now. Seto couldn't help a low rumble as he felt a sharp something cutting through the twine and releasing his hands, nearly falling flat on his face. Thankfully, the blond caught him, slipping his arms around his waist and carefully lifting him upward. He stumbled for a moment but eventually got his feet under him, allowing the blond to help him walk.

He didn't know where he was being led to, but he was too weary and discouraged to care, as long as it was away from the cold glares of the people that scorned him. He couldn't help a quiet whimper of pain as he was lowered onto something soft, his arms still numb from being behind his back all day and the rest of his body sore from neglect and a mostly stationary position. Feeling hands on his thigh, he reluctantly peeled his eyes open, peering up at the blond warily.

The blond—a healer, he guessed—smiled at him soothingly, whispering words he didn't understand but somehow realized were meant to comfort.

Seto groaned quietly as the blond's fingers dug into his leg, surprisingly gentle as he massaged his thigh. He felt his muscles relax under the gentle touch, and he reluctantly permitted the healer to continue. He was too exhausted to struggle, and the blond wasn't actually hurting him—had shown no signs of hurting him. He was thankful for the slight respite, despite the fact that he'd probably be tortured later, so he took the time to fall asleep.

.-.-.-.-.-.

"Feraflymaynd ferabirnmyka thamelluf mygectirn.

Wurkthawell furwhechEpryo—

I-O DEEA HA HE HEY!"

Seto frowned and slowly blinked his eyes open, taking a moment to figure out where he was. Then he remembered—the failed execution, the shaman that had saved him, the massage he'd fallen asleep to. Almost afraid to see what would happen next, he slowly rolled onto his back, then turned his head; he gasped at the scene he found.

It must have been dark outside, because the space they were in was illuminated only by the large fire some feet away. The blond that had rescued him seemed to be dancing around it, wearing a feathered headdress and skirt as he chanted something that the brunet couldn't understand but somehow knew was meant to help.

"Wytarhaytynd wytarbuelmyka thamelluf mygectuel.

Wurkthawell furwhechEpryo—

I-O DEEA HA HE HEY!"

Seto watched the dark purple paint on the blond's skin ripple and roll with his movements, appreciating each slow twist and hop. He'd noticed that all of these people were muscular and lean, but this healer seemed especially so, his body and movements accentuated by the violet streaks across his body.

"Ayrthwethuitynd ayrthwethenmyka thamelluf mygecspen.

Wurkthawell furwhechEpryo—

I-O DEEA HA HE HEY!"

The shaman threw a handful of some sort of herb or powder into the flames, making it flash bright green and pink for a moment. He turned toward the brunet sharply, not seeming surprised that he was conscious, then let his lips hesitantly twist into a shy smile. Walking over to kneel in front of him, he gently brushed the paste-covered cut on the brunet's face. He sighed quietly, then turned and picked up a large plank, bringing it to rest on his lap.

Seto couldn't help his nose wrinkling in disgust as he eyed the different things on the plank. None of it looked edible. There were some bright orange mushrooms that should be toxic by appearance alone, a green jelly-slime, what looked like a few large maggots, along with other various… things. He didn't even want to think about them.

The blond smiled and lifted one of the maggots, pointing at his own mouth. Then, he put it to the older boy's lips, murmuring something in his own language.

Seto grunted and jerked his head away. He couldn't understand what the blond said, but he'd understood what pointing at his mouth meant. He didn't like what he was thinking. He didn't like it one bit.

The healer frowned when he didn't cooperate, repeating what he'd said as he pushed the large bug closer to his lips.

"I'm not eating that," the brunet stated, glaring at him as he leaned his head back. "If you think for one second that I'll even consider putting that thing in my mouth—"

Unfortunately, the painted boy had grown tired of his speaking and shoved the maggot into his mouth. He didn't even flinch as the brunet instinctively locked his jaw, as if used to having people bite down on his fingers.

Seto gagged when he realized he'd bitten through the insect and choked the urge to vomit back down. He would have spit it out, but the shaman's fingers were still in his mouth, shoving the squishy bug in further, leaving him with no choice but to swallow or have the maggot literally shoved down his throat.

It was the vilest thing he'd ever eaten.

The blond smiled at him despite the disgusted sneer he was receiving and lifted the plank to show him the rest of the 'food' still on it. He said something and motioned for him to take it, pointing at the slime and smiling widely. Seto assumed that it meant that it was his favorite or something.

"Joehatchoka! Joehatchoka!"

The healer turned sharply, frowning, then set the plank aside and stood, walking over to the entrance of what Seto could only guess was a teepee. He pulled open the flap and stepped outside.

Seto listened to the words being spoken as he poked the plank the 'food' was on idly. He didn't understand what was being said, but he heard that the voice that wasn't the healer's was panicky and frightened. The blond's voice was calm and soothing in comparison.

The shaman poked his head back into the teepee, frowning, and said something. Then the door flap fell shut, and the brunet was left to himself.

Seto pondered leaving while the healer was gone, then immediately discarded the thought as useless. The other people would see him and kick up a fuss, and the blond would steer him back into the teepee—perhaps even restrain him. He'd have to wait until he'd gained the trust of these people, made them believe he was at home with them.

Once he was accepted, he'd be able to run away. It might take some time—more time than he wanted—but he could wait. He was nothing if not patient.

…Well, that brown, woody stuff didn't look so bad. And he was hungry…

OH GOD IT WAS CINNAMON HE'D JUST BITTEN INTO CINNAMON BARK!

Seto gagged a little and spit out the bark. 'Fuck! Oh my God! Fuck!' He cringed at the residual taste. That was almost worse than the time he'd been dared to eat a spoonful of cinnamon at the orphanage! Why was it sitting there like it was some sort of food?

…He was better off eating the maggots.

.-.-.-.-.-.

"Joehatchoka."

Seto glanced up from the nuts he had been "asked" to crush into a powder, raising an eyebrow. "Huh?"

The healer sat down next to him and patted his chest. "Joehatchoka."

"Joey-hatch-ochre?"

The blond frowned. "Joehatchoka."

Seto stared at him for a moment, blinking as the other boy repeated his name a few more times in a desperate attempt to make him understand. When the blond sighed in disappointment and ducked his head in defeat, he frowned. "…I'm just going to call you Joey. I don't think my tongue can make the noises you can."

The healer looked up at him hesitantly. "…J-Jo…? Noi-?"

"Joey," the brunet repeated, reaching out to pat the younger boy's chest. "Joey." He paused, then leaned back to pat his own chest. "Seto."

Joey's face twisted in confusion. "S-Saaaayyyy-toh?"

"No, no. Just Seto. Se-to. Say it. Se—" He paused to allow the blond to repeat what he'd said.

"…Saaayyy—"

"SE. Just Se," Seto stated firmly, then lifted his hand to cup the blond's chin, squeezing his cheeks lightly to keep him from making an 'ay' instead of an 'eh.' "Se. To."

"…Seeeh…" The blond licked his lips nervously, blushing when he accidentally flicked it over the older boy's thumb. "Se-!"

"Right." The brunet nodded. "To. Se-to."

Joey mewed quietly. "Seeehhh-tooooh?"

Seto smiled and nodded. "Yes. Seto."

"…Se…to…" The healer looked up at him thoughtfully, peeking up at him through his lashes, then smiled shyly. "Set-to."

"No, it's—" The brunet sighed, lips quirking up into a defeated smile as he nodded. "…Close enough."

He was surprised by the contentedness he felt when the blond beamed at him proudly.

.-.-.-.-.-.

It was cute, the way the blond mumbled to himself, Seto decided, trailing behind the healer as he placed various plants in the basket he'd weaved earlier that week. He especially liked that every so often, the blond would turn to peek over his shoulder, eyes fluttering at him cutely. He'd smile and murmur a quiet 'tynmehk Seto' before he returned to picking his necessary plants. Of course, Seto didn't understand what 'tynmehk' meant, but he knew it was a term of affection, because he'd seen other people in the village call their significant others 'tynmehk.'

He was certain that Joey liked him—wanted to be with him—and he was finding himself wanting to explore that. The shaman was certainly pleasing to the eye, and he liked the idea of having someone the villagers that had tried to murder him so revered squirming and screaming beneath him. Screams of pleasure, of course; Joey had only been kind to him, and he had no intention of hurting him.

Seto tilted his head as he heard the sound of moving water, then stopped, turning his gaze on the deep purple streaks over the blond's body. He'd never seen the shaman without them. Even when he went to go bathe, his clean body was always covered by fresh paint. It was a bit off-putting, making him seem higher than even Seto was in rank in the world.

He wanted to see him without that paint. He wanted to slide his hands over the uncovered, unblemished skin and listen to the blond make noises so erotic that Seto couldn't help but take him. He wanted to make the younger boy squeal and mew as he defiled him and made him unable to walk the next day.

"Seto…?"

Seto blinked out of his daze to find the shaman looking up at him in concern. He lifted his hand to trace the thin scar that had been left after the cut he'd received had healed. "…Joey?" He tilted his head in the direction he heard the water coming from. He'd found himself more in tune with the things he heard since he'd been here.

Joey stared at him for a moment, unable to comprehend, so he tilted his head in the same direction, brows furrowing together as he listened for what the brunet was hearing. After a moment, though, he heard the running water. He looked up at the older boy thoughtfully, then shrugged, figuring that maybe he wanted a bath in more water than just the little creek his village used. He motioned for the brunet to follow him and led him over to the river.

Once there, he turned and looked up at his darling—or who he hoped would be his darling—smiling sweetly as he motioned toward the running water. "Lydeo."

"Lydeo-?" Seto repeated quietly, pointing at the river. When the blond nodded, he smiled, then began unbuttoning his shirt.

The shaman swallowed thickly as he watched the brunet expose his pale skin inch by inch, unaware of the way the older boy was smirking. After a moment, he set his basket on the ground and stepped closer, hesitantly reaching out to grip his shirt. "…Seto…?"

Seto paused, allowing the healer to paw at his buttons for a few minutes, then smiled a little and showed him how to slide the pieces of plastic out of the holes. "Like this."

"Dishet," the blond whispered in amazement, gazing at the expanse of pale flesh that was bared to him, then glanced down at the button on the older boy's pants. He peered up at the brunet thoughtfully, then looked back down at his fingers. Then, he fumbled the button open, smiling proudly when he finished, but was confused by the zipper that was revealed.

He assumed that 'dishet' was something that expressed admiration. In any case, Seto liked the expression of content and trust he received when he pulled the blond into his arms. He dipped his head to brush his lips over one of the painted stripes on the shaman's cheek, faintly tasting berries when he licked his lips, then kissed the corner of the blond's lips, smiling when he felt him tremble a little. "I won't hurt you, Joey."

Joey shivered at the gentle tone, then gasped as he felt the older boy's fingers slide under the top of his loincloth. After nibbling on his bottom lip a moment, he loosened the knot keeping the leather up and shimmied his hips, helping the brunet to shed the leather covering him. He blushed at the intense gaze he received and moved to step back, almost disappointed when the brunet allowed it.

Apparently, he hadn't been intent on letting him go for long, because Seto had barely stepped out of his pants before he'd gathered the shaman back into his arms. The brunet kissed him roughly, pressing him up against a tree, and gently stroked his side. Once he was certain the healer was breathless and dazed, he broke the kiss and motioned at the river. "Lydeo?"

Joey looked up at him with hazy eyes, lips already bruised and swollen. Once he understood what he was being asked, he smiled shyly and nodded, leading him over to the river and stepping into it. Once the water was up to their hips, he turned back to the older boy and peered up at him from beneath his eyelashes. "Tynmehk Seto."

Seto caught his lips in another kiss, sliding his hands down the blond's sides and over his hips to his thighs, thumbs tracing little circles, before he leaned back and lifted his wet hands to cup the healer's cheeks. "Joey…"

The shaman let his eyes drift shut as he felt the brunet's fingers gently rub the paint off his cheeks, feeling little rivulets of water run down his neck and slide down his chest and back. "Seto… Nn… Ah—"

Seto rinsed his hands in the water before continuing his self-imposed job, slowly rubbing all of the paint from the blond's lithe body. He started with his shoulders, then, all the way to the tips of the younger boy's fingers, then down his chest; after that, he washed his back, then his sides and stomach, until all of the paint was gone. He smiled as he took a step back to admire the bare flesh, stroking his fingers lightly over the tan skin glimmering with a faintly violet sheen from the residual paint. "Beautiful."

Joey blushed. He could only assume that 'beautiful' meant the same thing as 'dishet,' because the taller man was looking at him with obvious approval. He had never had anyone look at him like this. Occasionally he got a lustful glance from some of his people, but he was mostly too highly respected for anyone to 'distract' from his duties.

He felt naked without the paint, like his powers had been sapped away and had flowed into the older boy instead—man, really, now that he looked him over and realized that he would never look as beautiful or masculine as he did. He felt immature when he compared himself to the man in front of him, and suddenly he didn't know whether rescuing him had been a good thing, especially when he realized that even though he was muscular, he wasn't as muscular as the brunet.

Seto frowned in disapproval as the blond tried to cover himself and immediately reached out to grab his wrists. "No, don't hide from me." When the shaman whimpered anxiously and tried to move away despite the iron grip on his wrists, the brunet jerked him closer, sliding his arms around him quickly so he couldn't escape. "Shh. Joey. Calm down."

Joey moaned helplessly as he felt the brunet's thigh move between his own, eyes falling shut as he was gently pulled closer. "Tynmehk Seto… Ah… Ah-!" He gasped as he was pulled into another kiss, startled when he felt something warm and slimy slide past his lips. "Hn-!" Squirming anxiously, he mewed, but soon realized that it was the brunet's tongue—not something disgusting as he'd been imagining. Well, at least not quite as disgusting; he'd never had a tongue other than his own in his mouth, and it felt weird.

He mewed as he felt the older boy's tongue brush against his, twitching in confusion. When Seto continued to lick gently at his tongue, though, he hesitantly lifted it and slid it to poke the brunet's with the tip. He gasped as he was pulled closer to the pale man's body, eyes opening in surprise as the brunet sucked on his tongue.

Seto slid his hand down to press his fingers to the blond's entrance, swallowing his startled squeal as he pressed his middle finger inside. He groaned quietly as the younger boy clenched down on it, moving it around carefully, then broke the kiss to move his lips next to the shaman's ear. "Relax. Just relax, Joey. You'll make me hurt you if you stay tense."

Joey bleated in complaint, understanding the soothing tone but unable to comprehend the words. He was frightened, and having that finger inside of him was so strange—

"Shh. Calm down." The brunet pressed a light kiss to his lips, then leaned back, whispering, "Tynmehk Joey."

The healer gasped quietly and looked up at him in surprise. "Seto—"

His eyes were so… intense. So blue. Only a few of his people had eyes that were blue, and they had no hope of being this beautiful—ever. Joey shuddered, unable to look away, and could only fall against his broad chest as his knees gave out. "Ha-! Seto!"

Seto dipped his head to kiss him again, not breaking eye contact even for a moment. He could see that for the moment, the blond was calm, and he wanted him to stay relaxed. This eye contact, his soothing words, both helped to keep the younger boy pliant in his arms. He slid his index finger inside him as well once he felt the blond was relaxed enough and began to move his fingers a little more.

Joey mewed quietly, eyelids drifting to half-mast as he felt the brunet's fingers move around inside him in a slow but gentle manner. "Tynmehk Seto… Tynmehk Seto…!" His breath hitched as a third finger was slid inside, hips twitching as they began to spread apart. "Hng! Seto!"

"Tynmehk Joey…" Seto brushed his lips over the healer's again and slowly spread his fingers wider, listening to the quiet mews and whimpers he drew out of the blond with delight. "Beautiful. So beautiful. …Dishet tynmehk Joey…"

The shaman jerked his head back and howled in surprise as the brunet touched something that made his ears ring as powerful tingles rippled up his spine. "Seto! Seto!" He babbled something in his own language, eyes rolling back as the fingertips rubbed the special spot roughly. "—Diela tynmehk—SETO!" He screeched as his vision went white, hips shaking as he reached his climax. Falling limp against the brunet's chest, he panted weakly, mewing as the older boy pulled his fingers out and instead gripped the backs of his thighs tightly, lifting him up while simultaneously making him wrap his legs around his waist.

He gasped quietly as he felt something hard and blunt rub against his entrance, looking up at the brunet in confusion, only to screech again as it slipped inside, filling him with something thick and hot and hard. "Uhn! Seto!"

Seto groaned loudly as he felt the blond clench down on him, stiffening as he heard a quiet keen of pain. "Oh, Joey…" He kissed the younger boy's cheek down to his neck and shoulder, holding him tightly as he waited for some indication that he could move. "Tynmehk Joey… Sweet, beautiful, darling Joey…"

Joey moaned and twitched a little. He didn't understand the words, but the way they were said with such reverence… "Tynmehk Seto… Huhn… Paorindo, Seto!"

That sounded like permission. And, when the blond jerked his hips a little, the brunet realized it was a command. "Hold onto me, Joey." He gave the healer's hand a gentle squeeze before grasping his hips and beginning to thrust.

"Huh! Ahn! Seto-!" The shaman gasped and jerked his hips in time with his thrusts, eyes rolling back as the brunet found his special spot and began thrusting into it each time. He managed some breathless words of praise that he knew wouldn't be understood before he fell back into bleats and cries of pleasure as the older boy thrust into him harder. "Ngh! Hah! Gah-!"

"God, you're beautiful. And your voice—Mn, yes, keep screaming for me…" Seto nuzzled his throat and groaned as the blond screeched again, arching his back as his hips began to shake with exertion. "Coming, Joey?"

"—nde hebit shyndaaaaaaa!" Joey wailed, just before the brunet crushed his mouth in another kiss. He screamed into the older boy's mouth as he climaxed again, digging his nails into his back, then fell limp, panting into his mouth as he felt the brunet begin thrusting faster. "Mmn… tyn…mehk… Seto… Mm-! Mmn!"

Seto grunted as he came as well, holding the blond closer, then moaned as he gently brushed his lips over the younger boy's throat. "Joey… Tynmehk Joey…"

"Nn… Tynmehk Seto…" The shaman lifted his head to catch the brunet's lips with his own, legs trembling as they were gently eased back into a standing position. "Nn!"

They felt rubbery, like wet noodles. He wasn't sure he could stand without the buoyancy of the water, let alone walk back to the village. He gasped as he felt the brunet step away and prepared himself to be let go to drop into the water, closing his eyes tightly. He gasped again in surprise as one of the older boy's arms slid under his knees, lifting him swiftly from the water, then looked up at him through his eyelashes, smiling shyly.

Seto smiled back at him, leaning down to brush a gentle kiss over his temple. "Tynmehk Joey. Dishet tynmehk Joey."

Joey blushed and giggled quietly as the brunet nuzzled his neck. When his feet were placed back on the ground, he leaned against the tree he was set against, watching as the older boy went and gathered their clothes. He stepped into his loincloth obediently, then reached out to gently grasp the brunet's shirt, peering up at him bashfully. "Mendoe shivlo ndeeeee?"

"…You want to wear my shirt?" Seto asked quietly, then smiled when the blond pulled it from his hands. As the shaman shrugged into his shirt, he stepped into his own pants, then watched as the blond began fumbling with the buttons. He liked how the shirt fell to the younger boy's mid-thigh, suddenly feeling possessive of his bare body. He was usually distracted by the paint, but now that he wasn't wearing any, he didn't want anyone else to see the healer that way either.

The shaman looked up at him and blushed again, gripping the ends of the sleeves in his fingers tightly. Seto brushed his hair out of his face, then gently scooped the blond into his arms again, leaning down so he could grab his basket of herbs. He liked having the blond in his arms, snuggling against his chest. He realized that the rest of the village would probably never view him as anything more than a nuisance, but knowing that he had the shaman in the palm of his hand sort of made up for it.