Elias lay pinned, the giant’s colossal weight an immovable force above him, the low grrrrrrr of Torvald’s stirring fart still echoing in his ears. His pulse thundered, a mix of exhilaration and primal fear, when suddenly Torvald tensed. A subtle shift rippled through the giant’s massive frame, his muscles flexing as he rumbled with a curious grunt. The pressure eased slightly, and Elias gasped, his lungs greedy for air.
Torvald’s enormous hand moved, fingers grazing the ground as he shifted his weight to one side. The giant’s bulk tilted, and with a slow, deliberate motion, he reached back, his hand hovering over Elias. “What’s this now?” Torvald’s voice boomed, deep and warm, laced with amusement. His fingers curled gently around Elias, lifting him with surprising care from the warm, overwhelming press of his rear.
Elias, flushed and breathless, dangled in Torvald’s grip, his mind racing. “I—I’m sorry!” he stammered, his voice cracking with embarrassment. “I didn’t mean to— I mean, I shouldn’t have—”
Torvald’s laughter cut him off, a low, rolling sound that shook the earth beneath them. His eyes, glinting with a mix of surprise and mischief, studied Elias closely. “Sorry? Lad, ye squirmed in just the right spot.” He winked, his grin wide and unashamed. “Ain’t often I feel a spark like that. Kinda liked it, truth be told.”
Elias blinked, his cheeks burning, caught off guard by the giant’s candor. Before he could respond, Torvald’s gaze flicked upward. The sky had deepened to a bruised purple, the last slivers of daylight fading fast. “Night’s creepin’ in,” Torvald muttered, his tone shifting to something practical. “Best get to shelter. Cave’s not far.”
Still holding Elias securely, Torvald rose, his footsteps shaking the ground as he lumbered toward a jagged outcrop in the distance. The air grew cooler, the world dimming around them, but Elias felt a strange warmth—partly from Torvald’s hand, partly from the wild, unspoken connection sparking between them. The cave loomed ahead, its dark mouth promising refuge and, perhaps, something more.