A Dragon's Heart: Book One [3]
Title: A Dragon’s Heart
Author: Demira_Watson
Beta: Casness
Fandom: Supernatural
Pairing/s: Pre-Slash Adam/Michael and Sam/Gabriel. Established Dean/Castiel
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Language, Violence
Disclaimer: The characters in this fanfiction belong to Eric Kripke and the Supernatural team. Unrecognizable characters belong to me and cannot be used without permission.
Summary: When Adam Winchester, new recruit, first met Michael Novak, first runner and teacher, he thought he was a jack-ass…a self-righteous, arrogant, highly attractive and completely straight jack-ass. And Adam wanted to crawl all over him.
A Dragon’s Heart
Book One - Journey’s Start
Chapter Two
Adam stared at the thin yellow slip of paper that told him he had detention later that day. He was barely three days into his education at the Academy and he was already in trouble. John Winchester was sure to kill him but not before Sam’s disappointed pout would. At least Dean would be happy…
Andy tugged at Adam’s jacket sleeve again reminding the youngest Winchester that he had other classes to attend and a tiny bitchy dragon to pick up.
“You okay?” Andy murmured dodging some other students. The intricately decorated hallways throughout the dormant volcano was jam packed with students lugging their book bags around dressed in multi-coloured uniforms.
“Oh sure, I just met the arse of my dreams and it belongs to our stupidly straight Professor.” Adam rolled his eyes as he tugged his shoulder bag over his head. Andy squeaked as he bumped into Adam’s side.
“Can you please not flirt with every teacher?” Andy pleaded with slight amusement. Adam smirked as he pulled Andy into the correct corridor leading to the open field.
“But what would you do with yourself if you didn’t have to watch me?” Adam questioned smiling as Andy snickered.
“I think we’d be bored if you and Ash suddenly changed and actually behaved," Andy muttered under his breath trying not to admit that Ash and Adam made The House of Water a little more interesting. Adam just smiled as he ruffled Andy’s short scruffy hair. The shorter young man just rolled his eyes as he followed Adam closely.
Their next class was Dragon Etiquette with Professor Visyak and was one of the few classes that didn’t mix everybody together. Adam would be sharing the class with only the New Recruits from The House of Water. It was a nice break from the general displeasure and rivalries that had already began to form. The House of Water and The House of Fire used to have a rivalry of epic proportions, one that Dean and Castiel shared until the day that Cas decided he’d had enough and dragged Dean into a dark alcove to show him a better use for their older brothers sharp tongue. Dean still blushed whenever Cas mentioned the cupboard on the third floor. After that house rivalry ceased between The House of Water and The House of Fire, quite quickly in fact.
The House of Air danced around everyone like they were somehow better than everyone else and The House of Earth had developed a rivalry with them that wasn’t as violent and prank filled as the one between The House of Water and The House of Fire had been, it was geared more towards academic rivalry.
You think too much Adam. Sirenia’s cheeky voice pulled Adam from his train of thought. He’d made it to the field. It was a wide open grassy field that connected the north-east of the island to the south-east. Sirenia was watching him with a soft look from her perch on the bench carved into the Volcano’s wall.
“Thinking is the sign of intelligence," Adam offered settling next to his tiny blue dragon. Sirenia rolled her gleaming eyes as she crawled into his lap and pushed her scaly head under his hand wanting a quick pet as they sprawled out under the warm sunlight. Adam obliged and stroked Sirenia’s horns gently snickering as she purred in contentment.
Andy was further out settled in the tall grass that practically hid him from view with every gentle push of the breeze. Bianca, Andy’s quirky dragon,stood up like a meerkat on top of her rider’s head studying the far off scenery.
They had a few minutes before Professor Visyak’s class and it was nice to just relax. The past couple of days were a blur of books, papers, homework and studying. The hollow Volcano was a labyrinth of hallways and multiple size classrooms all decorated with elaborate carvings of dragons and bright colours. The whole Academy often left Adam with his mouth wide open and at a loss for words. Even though Adam had been reluctant to go to the Academy, his opinion had quickly changed.
You will all be late for your next class… The chastising tone of Dean’s dragon snapped Adam back to the sunny field. The thirty foot tall dark crimson dragon looked down on the youngest Winchester with fondness. Adam smiled up at Katrina.
“We’re going Katty. Say ‘Hi’ to Dean for me?” Katrina nodded. Adam pulled Sirenia onto his shoulders and stood up; Andy was already waiting at the entrance to the Volcano. Katrina gave Adam a gentle nudge with her head.
Katrina frightens me… Bianca mumbled as she peeked her small head out from under Andy’s jacket collar. Adam had been surprised to learn that Bianca had a tendency to hide in clothing, even if you happened to be wearing it.
It’s the fact that she could have us for a snack, Sirenia muttered as she settled around Adam’s neck like a scaly scarf. Adam couldn’t help but agree, Sirenia and Bianca were like bite size snack size but then again Adam and Andy probably looked about the same to Katrina.
“Katrina wouldn’t eat you guys,” Adam reassured.
Not me at least, I’m family, Sirenia added unhelpfully. Bianca scurried further down her rider’s back making Andy do a weird jig in the middle of the hallway.
The rest of the walk was in silence as they approached Professor Visyak’s classroom. It was a smaller room compared to others but then again all you needed for Dragon Etiquette was some books. You weren’t learning to take down your enemy in three moves or how to shoot a crossbow. No dragon etiquette was the study of the rigid rules around dragon greetings, mating and befriending. Basically they learnt how dragons interacted with one another outside familial groups and how not to offend them whilst navigating their polite and icy greetings.
For instance what Katrina did earlier, the little nudge, would have been unacceptable and greatly offensive if she’d done it to Andy. Bianca would have been within her rights to demand a blood price for touching her rider without proper permission. Most people didn’t understand or even realise that dragons were insanely protective and possessive of their riders. Because Katrina was Dean’s dragon and Dean was Adam’s half-brother, Katrina could touch Adam freely and without asking. Just like Adam could pick up Aralia without Aralia throwing a fit and trying to chew his face off. Dragons had an inflexible code that they had to abide too. And boy was it complex.
When meeting a strange dragon, you shouldn’t approach until the dragon gives permission and even then you should remain bowed. Then there was a polite greeting where you introduced yourself, your rank and your intention.
“The Doctor, Doctor and fun,” Andy muttered under his breath with a cheeky grin and Adam couldn’t stop the quiet snigger. Sirenia’s body jiggled with restrained laughter and Bianca giggled into her rider’s neck.
“Something funny, gentleman?” Professor Visyak raised a delicate mocking blonde eyebrow. Adam no longer saw any of his mother in the feisty curvaceous Professor. She was a fiery woman with a wickedly sharp tongue.
“No, Ma’am,” Andy and Adam mumbled, looking at the oak top long desk the New Recruits sat behind. Professor Elanor Visyak was a woman you didn’t mess with. She may have been nice at the welcome ceremony but apparently the kiddie gloves came off once their dragons had hatched. Adam and Andy fell quiet and the youngest Winchester concentrated on the notes their Professor was writing on the black board.
A week after Sirenia hatched…
Adam smiled softly as he watched Sirenia explore their new room. She pinged across the dark wooden chest-of-drawers and launched herself across the room, gliding through the air with her wings glinting in the soft sunlight. Their new room was a soft blue and huge. There were three comfortable and soft beds under the large windows along the far wall. The three sets of chest-of-drawers were placed at the end of each bed.
Adam hadn’t met his roommates yet but he was looking forward to it. After they’d settled in there would be an unofficial ceremony for all the New Recruits of The House of Water and Adam was looking forward to meeting Castiel when he wasn’t having a mini-breakdown.
Dean and Sam had walked him to The House of Water earlier that day. Sirenia and Aralia gliding in front as they ducked and dodged over each other exploring their new world. Sam was full of smiles and excitement to be moving into The House of Earth and filled the silence with ‘fun’ facts about each house. Adam swore there was a glassy look to Dean’s eyes as he dropped his arms around both of his younger brothers necks. Dean had denied it of course.
Katrina had swooped in low a couple of times and Adam and Sam had laughed at their dragons' girlish squeals. The boys joked and rough housed as they wandered through the town towards The House of Water. It was closer to the Waiting Dormitories so Adam was dropped off first; Dean would then walk Sam to his new house. They’d argued about who would be dropped off first before Katrina had dropped her head in between the squabbling brothers and smartly stated that the walk to The House of Earth was quite far and it didn’t make sense for Dean and Adam to make the journey twice and then she’d pointed out the unofficial parties and ceremonies that Adam might miss on the long hike. So it was decided and Adam didn’t miss the smug look in Katrina’s eyes as she flew into the bright blue sky.
Adam didn’t care though. He’d shrugged off Kat’s prideful glee and focussed on Sirenia, who was currently pinging over Aralia like the little green dragon was a skipping rope. Sam elbowed Adam in the side and nodded forward. The youngest Winchester looked at Sam with a raised eyebrow before turning to check what his older brother was grinning at.
Adam’s jaw dropped as they caught sight of The House of Water when they rounded a corner. It was a huge building built with speckled blue white marble. The towering columns where carved with dragons sat on their hunches looking strong and full of pride. There were bubbling rivers flowing down either side of the entrance and Adam laughed as Sirenia jumped into the nearest river and started acting like a bird taking a bath.
Sam had given Adam a tight bone crushing hug and left damp spots on the youngest Winchester’s shoulder. Adam awkwardly patted Sam’s back after several minutes before Dean had removed Sam’s emotional hold with a well-placed ‘Princess’ comment. A quick macho one-armed hug from Dean and Adam was pushed into the bright aqua bowels of The House of Water.
Adam was drawn back from his musings as the door to his new abode was opened slowly. Sirenia pinged onto Adam’s chest where he lay relaxed on top of the furthest bed.
Andrew Gallagher tip-toed into the room carrying a few heavy looking bags. Adam was a little surprised the nervous New Recruit found himself in The House of Water, he was sure Andrew was set for The House of Earth or maybe The House of Air.
“Need a hand?” Adam asked pushing aside his surprise. Andrew jumped, obviously having missed the lazing teen in the far corner, and dropped his bags in a heap around his feet.
“Crap! You scared me! What are you a ninja?” Andrew fired off in quick succession. Sirenia snorted loudly before scuttling down the bed to curl up at the end. Her tail tickled Adam’s sock clad feet.
“Sorry. You still want a hand?” Adam asked with a raised eyebrow. Andrew stared at his bags for a moment.
“Yes?” He mumbled unsure. Adam snickered lightly before hauling himself off the bed and over to his new short roommate.
“Which bed do you want? Hope you don’t mind that I claimed that one on the end," Adam chatted as he grabbed two of the scruffy boy’s bags.
“That’s okay, I’ll nab the middle one if that’s alright?” Andrew bent over to grab his last three bags. Adam started as he spotted an unusual lump under Andrew’s jacket.
“Dude! Is your back okay?” Adam asked genuinely worried. Gallagher stood up abruptly and peered over his shoulder. He laughed quietly and Adam looked at him strangely.
“Yeah that’s just Bianca. She likes to hide under clothes…mostly my jacket when I’m wearing it.” Adam’s new roommate shrugged nervously. A shockingly bright blue head burrowed out from underneath Andrew’s collar.
“Hello…” Bianca mumbled quietly. Adam smiled.
“Hi. I’m Adam Milligan. That’s Sirenia over there," Adam offered waving his occupied hand in his own dragon’s direction.
“I’m Andy Gallagher and this is Bianca. It’s nice to meet you…wait…Aren’t you, Adam Winchester?” Andy stared wide-eyed and Adam sighed internally. Sirenia glided over to Adam’s feet before clambering up his body to perch on his shoulder. Her usually sparkling eyes were dark and flat as she glared at the scruffy young man before her. Andy’s dragon ‘eep’ed before shuffling back under the safety of his jacket.
My rider does not acknowledge his parentage from John Winchester. You would do well to remember that! Sirenia hissed and Andy gulped.
“Sorry…” Andy stuttered.
“It’s okay. I just…I don’t partially get on with my dad that’s all,” Adam stumbled through his explanation, a tad shocked at Sirenia’s venomous tone.
Understatement. Sirenia poked through Adam’s thoughts.
Be nice! The guy looks like he’s gonna pass out! Adam scolded. Sirenia didn’t reply other than to huff and glide back to the bed. She curled up facing away from Adam and the blonde teen sighed and stared at the ceiling praying for strength.
“Yeah, John Winchester is kind of jerk. I met him at a Seminar last year about First Runners and he just looked me up and down and sneered," Andy sighed like he was used to everyone judging him by his scrawny scruffy appearance. Adam took one look at the dejected young man in front of him and decided to take him under his wing.
“You met him for five minutes, try living with him. Besides who wants to be a First Runner, anyway? They’re arrogant and idiotic and completely up on their own asses," Adam offered trying to cheer up his new roommate.
“Absolutely! They think we’re all geeks and nerds but if it wasn’t for the Healers from The House of Water, they’d be fucked!” The two teens laughed. Bianca poked out from her hiding place again seemingly happy that Adam and Sirenia weren’t going to pick on her and her rider.
The door burst open and banged loudly off of the wall sending Bianca back into hiding and causing Sirenia to ping off the bed and launch herself towards the safety of Adam’s kneecaps.
“Badass and Ash in the house! Let the party begin!”
Mullet boy? Adam stared in disbelief at his second roommate. None other than Ash Lindburg.
This should be interesting… Sirenia groaned.
After ground rules had been introduced (No parties without a group vote), the three new roommates gathered up their dragons and made their way to the main living room for the unofficial House of Water welcoming ceremony. Adam expected some form of hazing but was hoping that Castiel was mature enough to forgo such treatment of the New Recruits.
Still, hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
The living room was tastefully decorated with large comfy sofas and chairs in soft gentle blues. The large room had a high ceiling and was painted a deep aqua blue. Large ornamental frames held delicate watercolour paintings of some of the more prestigious predecessors. Book bags and articles of clothing were hiding in the nooks and crannies of the room making it feel well lived in and homey. Adam felt the stress slide away as he settled into his new home. Even Andy had stopped shaking and Bianca had moved to settle around her riders shoulders.
“Welcome to the House of Water.” Castiel’s gravelly voice echoed across the crowded room. The New Recruits were lined up in front of the huge bay window with their dragons either perched on their shoulders or their heads. The rest of the house, including the teachers belonging to The House of Water, were settled in the comfy overstuffed chairs and sofas. Some of the chairs from the dining room had also been dragged into the living room.
“As tradition dictates we will be following in our predecessors footprints to welcome our new housemates.”
Oh bollocks… Adam moaned internally as he felt Andy stiffen beside him and the atmosphere change from warm and homey to terror in a matter of seconds.
So much for maturity! Sirenia yelled.
“First each New Recruit shall step forward to introduce themselves and their dragon as well as add an interesting fact about themselves.” Castiel stepped towards the first shaking New Recruit at the end of the line and gently pushed the poor sod forward.
“Hi…I’m Ed Zeddmore and this is Zelda. I like video games and books with a supernatural theme.” Adam applauded the guy mentally. For a twitchy short teen he pulled himself together in front of a crowd.
“Welcome, Ed and Zelda," Castiel offered softly directing Ed back in line and gesturing to the next lamb to move towards the slaughter. Although this lamb, Adam recognized and rolled his eyes at.
“I’m Harry Spangler and this is Buffy. I like Sci-Fi TV shows and hanging out with chicks.” Sirenia snorted mentally and Adam held in his own verbal snort.
“Welcome, Harry and Buffy.” Mr Over-Confident stepped back and Ash stepped forward.
“Ash and Badass here to par-tay! I can make my own home grown, tough as nails ale and weed so if you’re interested-.”
“Welcome, Ash and Badass…To clarify there will be no alcohol or illegal drugs on the Island. This is an offence punishable by expulsion," Castiel chided softly and few members of the house chuckled. Ash stepped back with a little bow making it Adam’s turn to step forward.
“Hi, I’m Adam Milligan and this is Sirenia. I want to become a Healer like my mother.” Adam stepped back before Castiel could signal him. Sirenia nibbled at Adam’s ear.
You did not have to tell them that… Sirenia muttered a little worried.
I know. Not sure why I did. Adam mumbled, confused at his own honestly.
“Welcome, Adam and Sirenia. It is an honourable path you have decided to take," Castiel offered with a small smile and right then and there Adam really liked his brother’s bond mate. Andy shuffled forward next.
“I’m Andy Gallagher and this is Bianca. I like to read and well do…stuff.” Adam smiled encouragingly at his new friend when Castiel welcomed him and let him step back. Andy smiled back and they turned to check out the last boy in the line. Adam figured he needed to eat more because the young brunette was far too skinny. He reminded Adam of an adorable gnome. Slightly goofy looking but with big blue eyes and a lovable personality that just seemed to shine through.
“I’m Garth Fitzgerald IV and this is Fizzles. I am the fourth member of my family to come to the Academy and the only one to find myself in the House of Water.” Garth smiled and Adam could hear the woman in the room flicking to maternal setting.
Adam smiled to himself as Castiel moved through the rest of the New Recruits. The youngest Winchester had a feeling the gentlemen around him were his new best friends and he was ok with that.
The next couple of days were a blur of getting to know his new friends, settling into a routine with Sirenia and hanging out with his brothers before classes started. Sam’s mother-hen routine had ensured that Adam had absolutely everything he’d need for the beginning of term. And with some careful hints, Andy was now prepared too. Adam couldn’t help but introduce his nervous new best friend to his over-bearing, highly emotional older brother. Andy had forced Adam to watch an entire Star Wars marathon whilst he critiqued the science behind the films, for the shopping spree Sam had dragged the shorter New Recruit on.
Adam figured it was worth it for the downright terrified look on Andy’s face when Sam had dragged the poor boy away. It was pure Kodak.
Andy enjoyed himself. His parents aren’t very attentive and Sam’s single minded attention was very touching. Sirenia dropped onto Adam’s chest. The warmth of the day and the gentle breeze had cause an impromptu picnic for the Winchester boys. Adam was sprawled out on the soft grass enjoying the calmness of the day.
How’d you know that? Adam asked with a raised eyebrow.
Sirenia scoffed at him. Bianca, of course, she answered.
Adam could hear the ‘duh’ in her tone.
Of course. Adam smirked. Bianca and Sirenia were quickly becoming thick as thieves. It was nice to see Sirenia try and pull the nervous young hatchling out of her shell and out from under Andy’s clothes. Bianca looked quite delicate and was one of the few dragons without horns adorning her head. Minus the wings and feet, Bianca reminded Adam of a smooth snake. In contrast, Sirenia was a proud and strong looking hatchling. Her scales were thicker than those of Bianca.
Aralia had longer horns so it almost looked like the green dragon had scaly pig tails. Sam was sat a few feet away, gently petting Aralia. He adored his baby dragon and the soft smile he often wore when watching her scuttle around was adorable. Not that Adam would ever admit that aloud.
Katrina was minding the scenery a little further away. Like Dean, Katrina was highly protective of Sam and Adam. Sirenia and Aralia fell under that over-protective nature too. The large blood red dragon had pointed horns that flicked upwards towards the sky and a surprising fork at the end of her thick tail. Most dragons had a pointed tail.
“So how are you guys settling in?” Dean asked from his comfy position sprawled out on the grass, his hands pillowed his head and as he chewed on a long stem of greenery.
“Great! It’s like living in a tree-house!” Sam replied with a huge grin. His cheeks dimpled with the weight of his joy and his expressive hazel eyes lit up. “Everybody’s been so nice and welcoming. Although for the unofficial ceremony they had us bungee jump off the tallest part of the house.”
“You do it?” Dean chuckled.
“Aralia pushed me…I say pushed, she head butted my knee caps and I fell off,” Sam muttered, giving his dragon a quick glare. Aralia looked a little sheepish as she curled in on herself. Katrina chuckled deeply as Dean laughed loudly. Sirenia snickered and Adam laughed with her.
“What about you, Addy?” Sam asked a slight blush staining his cheeks.
“The House of Water is huge and amazing. There are tanks and aquariums everywhere. And they dunked all us New Recruits in one of them," Adam answered remembering the sudden feel of weightlessness as Castiel, of all people, pushed him into the large glass tank. His brothers laughed but Dean’s was more reserved. Adam figured Cas wasn’t acting on his own merit.
Our riders are boring, Aralia, let’s go play with Katrina! Sirenia bounced away towards the large red dragon. Kat rolled her eyes as the tiny blue dragon scuttled across the landscape. Aralia looked at Sam for permission, which he gave, and sprung out of his lap and headed off to play.
Play consisted of using Katrina as a climbing frame and a launch pad to practising gliding. Adam figured Katrina had the patience of a saint as the two hatchlings crawled all over the older dragon nipping and clawing playfully.
“That looks like fun,” Sam said, staring at Adam meaningfully. Adam smirked catching on to his taller brother’s plan quickly.
“Yeah, it does.” Sam smirked and together they turned to smile at Dean. Their older brother sensed he was being stared at and cracked open one eye to check. He frowned at the conspiring smiles his younger siblings were wearing.
“What?” Dean asked slightly worried.
“ATTACK!” Sam yelled and the younger brothers moved as one to launch themselves towards Dean. The head of The House of Fire had seconds to realise he was in danger before he attempted to scramble away. He failed.
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