The Boy landed unsteadily with a grunt, having just vaulted from the beast’s back. He wiped a thin film of perspiration from his brow—the sweat itself a result of both exposure to the sun and anxiety from the feat Trico and himself had just performed. It felt good to be on solid ground once more, and gazing back at the wide open expanse they had just traversed—a large valley between buildings dotted with various narrow pillars with which they used to make their way across—this feeling was further cemented in his mind. Gulping, the Boy peeked over the precipice of the platform he was on and felt his stomach drop at how the narrow pillars they had just used seemed to go downward forever, eventually disappearing into clouds of mist far below them. He reflexively dug his pawtalons into the ground.

He glanced back at his beastly companion, once again filled with a mix of wonder, awe, and admiration at the exotic griffin-like creature he had named Trico. He couldn’t help but feel silly at himself for how not too long ago he tried dissuading the creature from following him, particularly because he never would’ve made it this far without him… her…? The creature’s sex was a mystery to him, not that it mattered. Still, it was just one more mystery that leant itself to the creature’s mystique.

He stepped back toward his companion, briefly running his fingers through Trico’s feathery down, wondering if they were also a nervous wreck from their most recent trek across the pillars. He took a minute to enjoy this moment of respite, only the sound of the wind and rustling leaves from trees could be heard; and there was something else—a low rumbling. The Boy felt momentary worry, wondering what else was now in store for them; but then he felt his hand vibrate, and realized the rumbling was coming from Trico, particularly their stomach. The Boy’s brow furrowed slightly, realizing it had been some time since they had come across one of the food barrels the beast relied upon; and after their most recent endeavor across the canyon it was likely the beast was especially hungry right now. Muttering a few words of reassurance to himself (and Trico) the Boy began to explore they area they were in, his tail swaying side-to-side in casual curiosity. Granted, he had wings just like Trico, but—just like Trico—his wings were not developed enough to carry him… at least not reliably; and given how high up they were he wasn’t about to take any chances.

From his peripheral vision he could see the beast following closely behind him—perhaps closer than usual, their large nostrils flaring slightly as they no doubt were searching for food as well. As the Boy unsteadily climbed over a pile of debris, his finned ears perked up as he noticed Trico churring in a rather peculiar way. The Boy began to turn, calling out the beast’s name when he felt something clamp down over his tail. The Boy squawked in a mixture of indignation and surprise, struggling to see what grabbed his tail. He was just able to catch a glimpse of Trico’s beak/muzzle latched onto his tail when he was suddenly hoisted up in the air by his tail. “T-Trico…? What…?!,” was all he could manage before Trico, with an upward jerk of their head, sent the Boy flying upward into the air. Screaming, the Boy stared skyward as his body began to fall back down to the earth when suddenly he felt his lower half land in something warm and moist, pressing around every side of his legs, tail and hips. “W… what…,” the Boy managed before realizing he was waist deep in Trico’s maw. The Boy flapped his wings in protest, but with one swift movement the beast managed to negotiate their jaws around the Boy’s wings, effectively pinning them down against his back. In this moment the Boy was dimly aware, and relieved, that Trico didn’t actually have any teeth or fangs to speak of. Still…

“Trico! What is this… are you actually going to…?” Wide-eyed, the Boy managed to look back at the beast’s face, his arms sticking out prevented him from slipping farther back down into the beast’s throat. Still, he was careful to keep his toes curled inward, even now he didn’t want to risk scratching his companion’s throat with his talons—if indeed he could still consider Trico his companion. Either way, Trico’s affinity for the Boy seemed stronger than ever. Still, even now, the Boy didn’t actually feel fear; if anything he was just confused. He knew the beast trusted and favored him, and presumably didn’t simply view him as a food source. The Boy’s golden irises regarded his companion warily. “Are you… are you doing this because you’re hungry… really?” The thought, while it should have been horrifying, was almost amusing to the Boy—at least in an ironic way. To think that the very creature that had saved him from captivity, numerous falls to his death, and Armored Knights might actually end up consuming him almost made him laugh in spite of his current situation.

“No, no… of course you wouldn’t eat me. Not when we’ve come this far, right, girl? Err… or, boy…? Hmm… ah, well anyway… I think I know what you’re up to. You think it’d be safer to carry me around if I were in your maw, huh? It does seem safer than if I were hanging onto your back, and probably more comfortable for you, too. After all, if I’m in here I won’t be pulling on your feathers or sitting on your head. Is that it? Well, I’ll just have to trust you… just like I have been this entire time. Besides…it’s actually kind of… uh… nice in here…” Smiling weakly, the Boy straightened his arms, allowing himself to slide a bit farther down Trico’s maw, along their slick velvety purple tongue. There was no denying that it certainly did feel safe in here, in the dark warm recess of the beast’s maw where their tongue, buccal walls, and ridged roof of their mouth pressed against him from every angle. “Y-yeah… besides, it’ll be nice to just let my paws relax a bit and let you do all the work…” The Boy’s words trailed off, realizing he didn’t actually know if this was Trico’s line of reasoning; more than anything he was just accepting his fate, whatever that was, and hoping for the best.

The Boy tucked his wings tightly against his back, and angled his head so that his horns wouldn’t poke the inner walls of Trico’s maw. As he slide farther back he gave one final look at the clear blue sky before the beast’s muzzle closed over his head, enclosing him in perfect warm darkness. The Boy wrapped his arms, legs, and tail around the beast’s tongue, hugging it tightly to prevent himself from sliding farther down and also as a show of trust for his companion as he exhaled slowly and waited for when he would see the outside world once more.

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After I completed The Last Guardian I knew I had to get a commission like this, and I wouldn't have chosen anyone other than NummyNumz to deliver! And deliver she did... I love this! ^=^

Also, on a total whim I typed up a short story to accompany the artwork. It's just a quick thing I whipped up in half an hour and it was a fun writing exercise. =) Will the Boy ever see light of day again? Is he just a treat for Trico, or is Trico just looking out for the Boy's best interests? (actually, I would have it so that Trico is just using a safer and more efficient way of carrying the Boy around, haha. I don't like fatal vore XD). If I made any typos let me know and I'll fix them ^^'

Art by  NummyNumz

Inkh is mine.

Trico is from the game "The Last Guardian," developed by Team ICO. Check it out!