Draconis 3

Jan 11, 2009 10:55

Title: Draconis chapter 3
Pairing: Jensen/Jared
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Summary: Jared's a prince who always does what's expected of him, even as he dreams of following his heart. When his father signs an allegiance with a dragon clan and he meets Jensen, everything changes.
Disclaimer: Neither of these beautiful men are mine. I just play with them sometimes.
Author's Notes: Many thanks to Inanna-Maat and Mystik-Ivanow for their fantastic gifts of beautiful banners and a header to me ;D

Previous Chapters: One, Two



(Awesome header made for me by the talented Inanna-Maat)

Jared sighed for the twentieth time in as many minutes, leaning heavily against the smooth stone rails that encircled the balcony. The breeze was warm and comforting as it danced through his chestnut hair, causing the thick strands to brush across his forehead. The sky was clear except for a few wispy clouds and the air was filled with the cheerful singing of birds.

It was a beautiful summer day, but the prince could not find it in himself to enjoy it. He had spent the morning with Penn per his mother’s suggestion; she was so eager for them to fall in love like she and Gerald had done. Like Jeff and Sandy had.

For his credit, Penn had been a perfect gentleman. Well, except for the fact that his idea of riveting conversation was to talk about himself.

They’d gone horseback riding and had a picnic together, and at the end Jared had even grudgingly allowed Penn a chaste kiss because his mother, Sandy and Megan had been watching from the steps. The three women had giggled and gushed, and Jared had barely resisted the urge to groan aloud at the display.

At least it had made Sharon happy.

But the worst part was that Jared had not seen Jensen all day.

“You keep pouting like that and your lip’s going to stay that way,” Michael laughed, he and Thomas taking up residence on either side of him.

“Do you think that Jensen changed his mind about this guardian thing?”

Thomas shook his head, patting the younger man’s shoulder. “I’m sure he didn’t. Something probably came up. But it’s only the afternoon, he still has time to come.”

Jared nodded, straightening his body. “You’re probably right,” he said, feeling a little selfish. Jensen still had an obligation to his clan, so even though he was assigned as Jared’s guardian it stood to reason he couldn’t make it every day.

The two guards stayed with Jared a little while longer, and only once they were sure that his good spirits were back did they return to their rounds.

Jared remained for another hour, and he’d just decided to go back inside to find something to occupy himself with when a deafening screech like that of a large bird echoed from above.

The brunet looked up at the sky, his jaw dropping open in shock as two very big dragons, one as red as a ruby and the other black as night shot through the air above the castle. Their bodies and wings intertwined as they attacked each other, growls and cries of fury erupting from snarling mouths.

The entanglement crashed down into the forest and without a second thought Jared raced inside and down to the stables. He was in such a hurry that he didn’t even saddle his favorite stallion, Alec - just slipped the reins on and jumped onto the animal’s auburn back. The horse took off like lightning, obeying Jared’s direction as they rushed towards the thick cluster of trees.

Jared had never seen Jensen’s true form, but still he had a feeling in his heart that one of those dragons had been him.

Alec started to get nervous the closer they got to the sounds of the fight, his hooves sliding against the forest floor in his reluctance to proceed. Not wanting the horse to get hurt, Jared slid off of his back as soon as the dragons were in view. With a loud and distressed whinny, the horse turned and fled back the way they had come.

Up this close, Jared was in awe at how large the two dragons really were. From head to tail they were about thirty feet long, with big bulky bodies that were packed with muscles and large, leathery bat-like wings that extended from the middle of their backs.

The dragons stared each other down for a moment before they lunged forward. Their colors intertwined like a ying-yang symbol as they rolled around the forest floor, knocking over large trees and crushing boulders into dust while they clawed and bit at each other. The black dragon released a cry as the red’s long, sharp and saliva-dripping teeth pierced the scaled flash of it’s shoulder in an explosion of blood. The sticky liquid flowed freely as the black used it’s massive tail like a whip to shove the red off, sending it flying backwards.

Jared attention had been so distracted by the horrific display that he had not realized how close he’d gotten until the red dragon slid to a halt not far from him. The creature’s nostrils flared as it caught his scent, and in a split second it’s cold, scarlet eyes were upon him. A growl emitted from it’s throat and then a cone of fire erupted from it’s mouth straight at him.

The black dragon shot forward, blocking Jared with it’s body and upon making contact with it’s scales the flames immediately sizzled and doused as though hit with water.

The red dragon roared and flapped it’s massive wings, one of them noticeably torn and weak, and created a hurricane of powerful winds as it took to the sky. Jared was saved from being knocked over as the black dragon curled one of it’s own wings over him.

The red dragon circled above the trees once before flying away, leaving the black creature panting both from exertion and pain. It turned it’s massive head to look down at Jared, and he immediately felt incredibly foolish at the accusation in the emerald depths of it’s eyes.

“I’m very sorry..” he murmured contritely. “I didn’t mean to interfere.”

Smoke billowed from the dragon’s nose as it sighed, and without much thought Jared reached out to touch one of the powerful legs in front of him. It was as thick as a tree trunk, but the scales were surprisingly soft like a duckling’s down feathers.

The dragon allowed the contact for a few moments before it moved away, careful not to hit or push Jared in the process. A soft white glow encased the large body, and as it increased in intensity Jared was forced to squeeze his eyes shut and turn away.

When the light faded, he turned back to find Jensen in his human form. Blood continued to flow from his shoulder, soaking into his shirt and turning the previously white fabric into a dark crimson.

“You could have gotten yourself killed,” Jensen said, barely suppressed distemper in his voice. “Do not ever come in the middle of a fight like that again. Next time I may not be able to protect you.”

Jared swallowed passed the lump that had formed in his throat, shame burning his cheeks. Since as early as he could remember, he was always acting without thinking but this was the first time that the consequences of his actions could truly have been dire. By distracting Jensen, he had made the situation so much worse.

“I’m sorry,” he said again. “I just wanted to help.”

“And what help could you have possibly been to me? If you had gotten killed, or even hurt the treaty would have been null and void. Do you know what that would have meant for my kind? Humans like your future mate would hunt us down; destroy our lives and our eggs and nothing would be left. You are our salvation, Jared. But you can also be our destruction. I tolerate you and your behavior because of that, and that is the extent of your importance to me.”

Jared put a hand to his stomach, trying to fight the urge to by physically ill. He had not realized that Jensen had felt that way. His childhood love for dragons had deluded his mind to believe that Jensen had been just as eager to be around him as he was to have the other man around. His fantasy had caused him to overlook the fact that all of this was for their benefit rather than his own happiness.

“Jensen..” he started sadly, “I will get my father to free you from your obligation without it affecting the treaty--”

The other man swayed a little and his legs buckled, and with a surprised gasp Jared rushed forward in time to catch him with a grunt before he hit the ground.

The sick feeling in his stomach from being scolded turned into horror as he realized that Jensen was bleeding to death. His shirt was almost completely covered in blood, and more was still seeping from the wound.

“Your Highness!” Michael’s familiar voice cutting through the forest had never been more welcome, as was the thud of speedily approaching hooves.

He and Thomas, along with another guard by the name of Chad came racing through the forest into the clearing. Upon taking in the scene, they jumped off their horses and rushed forward to help.

“One of the gardeners saw you take off into the forest,” Tom explained as they rode hastily back towards the castle, Jensen’s unconscious body cradled on Mike’s horse with him as Jared rode with Tom and Chad took up the rear. “Then Alec came back without you. We were coming to investigate when we saw that red dragon fly away. I’m so glad you’re not hurt.”

<>***<>***<>***<>

“Jared?” Sandy’s small hand laid on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Supper is ready. Will you come eat?”

“No, thank you.”

“Why don’t you get cleaned up, at least? You’ve been sitting here for hours. I think Jensen will be okay by himself for a little while.”

Jared glanced down at his shirt, the blood-stained fabric completely ruined. He shook his head and looked back at Jensen’s unconscious body. He was lying shirtless on the bed in one of the guestrooms; his wound had been cleaned and tightly wrapped with cloth as soon as they’d made it back home. The doctor had assured Jared that everything would be okay but still he’d refused to leave his side.

Jensen’s harsh words were like a stone in Jared’s stomach, and he wanted to be able to free him from the annoyance of a duty that Jeffery Dean had bestowed upon him. Jared would make sure that the contract between his father and the dragon clan would stay in effect nevertheless.

Jared’s feelings about it didn’t matter as long as everyone else was happy.

“I’m fine, Sandy. Please. This is where I need to be right now.”

The woman sighed softly, but didn’t argue further. Years of experience had told her that her childhood friend could not be persuaded when his mind was set on something. “Okay, Jared. I understand. I‘ll bring you something to eat,” she pressed a soft kiss to his head before walking out of the room.

Jared angrily brushed at the wetness that blurred his vision, hating himself for being upset about this. The last thing he wanted was to be selfish.

As time ticked by he continued to sit, not moving even when his butt started to feel numb or when Sandy brought him a tray of food. He ignored both, alternating between watching Jensen rest and directing his attention out of the window at the full moon that was hanging bright and perfect like an ornament in the clear night sky.

“Jared..?”

The tentative, sleepy voice made him jump in surprise, and Jared hastily lowered his gaze from outside to find Jensen squinting at him in confusion. Jared surged forward, falling to his knees beside the mattress.

“How are you feeling?”

Jensen didn’t answer, his eyes transfixed on him and Jared lowered his gaze submissively.

“Jensen, I free you from your contract. As soon as you’re able, I want you to return to your--”

“No.”

Jared raised his eyes, startled by the refusal. “What?”

“Please don’t send me away, Jared. I didn’t mean what I said.”

“But I--”

“You… you’re more than an obligation to me. I like spending time with you. You radiate such happiness and content and I haven’t been around such feelings, or even felt them, in a long time. You taught me to read because you wanted to, and you make me laugh. When I’m with you, it’s so easy to want to forget the problems that myself and my clan are going through.” Jensen‘s eyes were filled with emotion, pleading with Jared to understand. “Even without Jeffrey Dean assigning me to you, I would have requested it. I can no longer picture myself not seeing you on a daily basis. Speaking to you the way I did was far out of line, but all I could think about was that I had been so close to losing you.”

Jared smiled back at him, a tiny flower of hope blooming in his chest as he reached out and placed his hand on top of Jensen’s.

“Please forgive me for what I said,” Jensen begged. “There’s no excuse for hurting you like that. All I can do is assure you that I’ll never do it again. Just don’t send me away.”

Jared shook his head as he brushed his thumb over Jensen’s knuckles. “It’s okay, I understand. And I like being around you, too,” he smiled shyly. “And not just because you’re a dragon. I was worried when you didn’t show up this morning and then when I saw you in that fight common sense just left me. If anyone is seeking forgiveness, it should be me.”

They shared a few silent moments, lost in each other’s eyes. Suddenly panicked by the warm feelings that had started to take up residence in his heart, Jared desperately changed the subject.

“Who was that red dragon, anyway?”

Jensen’s expression darkened, and Jared unconsciously tightened the hold on his hand. “He’s a member of my clan. Ansem.”

“But then why were you fighting?”

“Because like certain humans, some of my family members don’t approve of the unity between our kinds. They’re angry with Jeffrey Dean, but he’s too strong for them to attack and so instead they take their animosity out on those of us who are helping with the treaty. Like myself and Chris. Ansem assailed me when he realized I was leaving to come here.”

“I thought that the dragons wanted this treaty.”

Jensen shook his head, his short hair swishing against the pillow. “Unfortunately many still remember what it was like to be hunted. We live a long time, just like you heard, and because of that a lot of us actually have mates or kin that were murdered by the humans. My kind want revenge, but Jeffrey Dean will never permit it.”

“Do you have anyone who… who died?”

Jensen closed his eyes for a moment, lost in a memory. “I had siblings like you - an older brother and younger sister. They were both slain.”

Jared’s breath caught in shocked horror. Jeff and he had their problems, but he could not picture life without him or Megan. To lose either one of his siblings to murder.. It was too terrifying to even fathom and yet Jensen had to live through it. “Jensen--”

“I don’t hold it against you, or anyone else. Jeffery Dean took care of me, and he helped me to realize that I could not allow my anger to consume me like so many of my clan. If I did, it would destroy me. Dragons like Ansem are large in number, Jared. Larger than I can even explain and their attacks are getting more bold. Soon, not even Jeffrey Dean’s authority or the treaty will prevent them from attacking your kind.”

Jared’s mind raced, and he realized that this was bigger than he previously thought. He wondered if his father was aware of how the dragons felt, or if like him, he had believed that it was simply the humans that opposed.

A commotion outside of the guestroom caught Jared’s attention, and after another squeeze to Jensen’s hand he rose to his feet and went to the large, double doors.

“You have to let me in there,” Chris demanded hotly.

Chad shook his head, stubbornly standing his guard outside the door. “My orders were to let no one in. That includes you.”

“Chad,” Jared cut in, gaining both their attentions, one relieved and one wary, “It’s okay. He can go inside to see Jensen.”

The guard hesitated, then bowed. “As you wish, Highness,” he said as he moved himself out of the way. But not before casting a distrustful look at Chris.

The dark-haired man glared at the blond before turning his attention to the prince. “Thank you, Highness.”

“Christian, I won’t stop you if you want to take him home and I’ll understand if that’s why you came,” Jared said, casting a glance behind him towards the occupied bed, “but please, I would like for him to stay here.”

The dragon’s smile was replaced with narrow-eyed suspicion. “No offense intended but we could probably take better care of him. Besides, Jensen is not your responsibility, Highness.”

“Call me Jared, please. I know I’m not responsible for him by law or anything like that, but it is my want to care for him and make sure with my own eyes that he’s okay. Just one night, I beseech you.”

Chris tilted his head slightly as he studied him. His steady gaze had the same ability that Jensen’s had to make Jared want to squirm, but he held his ground.

Finally, Chris’ smile returned as he seemed to find what he was looking for. “I will let him stay,” he conceded, “if that is his wish. But with your permission, High-- Jared, I would like to come back tomorrow to check on him again.”

Jared’s face lit up happily. “Of course. I will let the guards know you’re permitted to go wherever you like.”

“You are very trusting, Highness,” Chad said once Chris had disappeared inside the room. His voice was full of more confusion and wonder than accusation. “How can you be sure that those dragons will not cause any kind of harm or havoc?”

“I can see it in their eyes,” Jared replied. “If you take the chance to really look, you can see their intentions aren’t hostile. So unlike the red dragon.. Ansem, his eyes were completely cold. Jensen, Chris, and Jeffrey Dean, they’re different.”

“For your sake, and the rest of us, I hope you’re right.”

“I am too. Especially if both our kinds’ hostility overwhelms as much as I fear it does.”

<>***<>***<>***<>

Jared glided his fingers through the cold fountain water, creating ripples around the same water lily that Jensen had brought back to life so many days prior. The stars reflected in the clear surface, creating a perfect mirror image of the sky above.

He nearly jumped out of his skin as a warm hand touched his shoulder, and turned his head to find Jensen smiling at him. He was still shirtless, but the stained bandage had been replaced.

“You should be resting,” Jared accused. “Magical dragon healing powers or no.”

“I believe you’d asked me to look at the stars with you,” Jensen pointed out, sitting beside Jared on the fountain wall. “I’ve come to make good on my promise.”

“You never promised.”

“Not aloud, no. But I knew that I wouldn’t be able to deny you.”

They shared a smile then looked up. The twinkling lights above really were a spectacular, endless sight.

“Do you know the legend of Draco?” Jensen asked, pointing out the clustered stars that resembled a dragon’s body. “The most noble of duties was cast upon him - to be a guardian of something very precious. After his death, Draco was allowed a place in the sky so that he may always continue his duty and to remind those of us still around to keep watch on our own treasures.”

His fingers of one hand wove into Jared’s hair, turning his head so that their eyes locked.

“For me,” Jensen breathed, moving closer, “that is you.”

Suddenly nervous, Jared licked his lips and watched as Jensen’s eyes were drawn to the movement. His heart pounded against his ribcage and echoed in his ears, a feeling he never experienced while this close to Penn.

“Do not be afraid of me, Jared,” Jensen said, his fingers caressing the other man’s hair. “The first time we met I said I would do you no harm, and I meant it.”

Their lips brushed tentatively together once, then twice, and on the third time Jensen applied more pressure turning it into a real kiss. Jared’s eyes slid closed, losing himself in the feel of Jensen’s mouth against his own.

The brush of a tongue against his lower lip was a crash of reality and Jared broke away. He had felt so much more in that touch of lips than any of Penn’s kisses, but he had an obligation to his family that he just couldn’t betray.

“It’s getting late,” Jared said, fighting the urge to tremble as he stood. “Please return to the guestroom, Jensen. I will check on you in the morning. Goodnight.”

He ducked his head and ran back into the castle, unable to shake the feel of Jensen’s eyes on his back even as he reached his own chambers.

Chapter 4

dragon, j2, draconis

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