He didn't know that someone was nearby. It could easily be blamed to his messed up sleep schedule as of late. He had been waking too early lately and it had deeply disrupted him. Soon enough his schedule would be fixed again though.
That was why it took him rounding a tree to spot an ashy, younger figure. The first thing that always crossed Behemoth's mind was what do I stand to gain? A missing child was worthy plenty but the scent on him told there would be plenty to bargain with. Which meant there was likely more to lose by keeping him.
Pale yellow eyes stayed trained on the younger boy. A low purr-growl vibrated out of Behemoth as he moved a bit closer to the boy. You're brave, aren't you?
It was rare for Behemoth to like someone but...this kid was something else. He didn't speak — didn't wasn't any breath — like most felt compelled to do. Filling the air with empty words. While Behemoth had started the conversation, he did not mind it ending at his starter. He allowed the boy to puff up like some grand king. A smirk tugging on his lips. Perhaps somewhere deep in his eyes was a fondness. Whoever was raising him had been doing a good job.
When the boy drew close, Behemoth puffed up his own stance. Tail danced upward but not fully erect and his hackles fluffed enough to thicken his teenage appearance. His head lowered and tilted to sniff back at the boy in return.
He offered a gentle click of teeth to the air but not in his usually violent way. Instead it was a bit softer and he could only hope what he was trying to teach the boy was soaking through.
Be careful.
He was pleased with his success but if anything, it seemed to egg on the boy. Behemoth could appreciate the fire that was ablaze in him. Perhaps — just perhaps — the boy was lucky it was the ebony teen who had found him and not someone else.
Granted that statement would depend on just how far the boy pushed his luck with the nocturnal beast.
Behemoth did happen to meet the earth though, if only because he was caught by surprise. He was quick to fling himself back though. Hopefully his size and age would help him overpower the boy. He wanted to switch the tables and get the young boy on the ground. Memories of the sunshine male flashed through Behemoth's mind.
He forced his weight against the young boy the moment he looked away to take him to the earth. Behemoth would stand tall over the boy with his tail curled over his back, staring him down with pale yellow eyes. Jaws parted to expose all of his ivory teeth. He hoped that the threat of danger was very real to the boy. Even if Behemoth didn't feel like fully acting on it. Giving him a scar (big or small) was enough for the ebony male.
It would only last momentarily though before he pulled away and backed up from the boy to give him personal space again. A soft boof escaping him as if he was checking up on him.
He felt teeth latch onto one of his hind legs and, reasonably in his mind, this flared Behemoth into a more aggressive mode than he had previously been in. A loud snarl ripped out of his throat into the air. If the boy wanted a real tussle than he would get one.
Behemoth turned his front to try and latch onto the boy's scruff. The older male wanted to yank the boy off of him if it was possible. The angle was awkward though and the possibility of them going down together was higher than he usually would have liked to deal with.
A soft oof escaped him when they met the earth together, tumbling like a lively tumbleweed. Any onlookers surely would have been having the show of their life right now. Behemoth could only hope anyone who might have considered prying into their tussle had enough mind to stay out of it.
Instinctively he kicked his legs out towards the boy, aiming to kick him right off of him. Behemoth wanted to free himself from this tangle even if it meant having to continue to get a bit more rough with the boy.
Although he would never admit it, this was even turning out to be a bit of a learning lesson for himself.
If Behemoth wasn't so exhausted, perhaps he would have held a more triumphant pose. As it stood now though, he was hunched forward panting in even rhythm to catch his breath. The boy had put up one hell of a fight.
Yellow eyes squinted softly (more form tiredness than actual frustration or aggression) as he eyed the boy who seemed to finally be giving up. Anyone teach you?
He asked with a slightly raised brow. Did the boy have an actual teacher or was it all from puppy play tussles?
His eyes followed where the boy had looked to. It was the mountain Behemoth had been avoiding and it seemed it was for the best he had if there were wolves up there. I see.
He murmured softly as his gaze returned to the boy. You better rest up and head back. They shouldn't be missing such a good guardian.
It was rare that Behemoth gave genuine compliments but the boy deserved it.