[One-shot] Dragonholder - Part 1
Dragonholder (Aka, the Dragonsex fic)
Kisumai - Kitayama/Fujigaya, Fujigaya+Nikaido, Kitayama+Tamamori, Tamamori/Nikaido, with appearances of Yokoo+Iida, ABC-Z, T&T, and various others in various forms.
16,001 words, R, Pern!AU
Kitayama isn't on a Search when Fujigaya is thrust into his care, but when Fujigaya ends up Impressing a dragon of his own, Kitayama realizes that there's more to Fujigaya than he'd first thought. (... But in truth, this is basically 16,000 words of Kitayama trying to get into Fujigaya's pants and succeeding.(Without any actual porn, lol 8D??))
Written for kuro_chin as a massive pile of words for belated Christmas/Birthday. Sorry this took forever long and I hope you like it, Jenni ♥♥♥ Also for Debut Day, even if it's early. Kisumaiiiii ;o; I can't believe it's already been a year! ♥♥♥♥♥
Notes: THERE ARE NO DRAGONS HAVING SEX IN THIS FIC. But there is some species change! As well as genderswap. Sometimes together. This means that yes, I turned Nikaido Takashi into a female dragon. The usage of first names for humans is used here, because in the universe of Pern, last names no longer exist. Also, those who became dragons had their names altered (as all dragons' names end with 'th'.) This might be strange, but it seemed to fit better with the 'verse. Also mostly unbetaed because I didn't feel like inflicting that on anyone. Hopefully nobody will want to kill me after reading this. Most importantly, enjoy!
♦♦♦
Spring was in full swing and that made Tamorith happy and, by extension, Hiromitsu happy. The Hold bustled with life and song, a Harper singing nearby. It’d be time for a Gather soon, with music and laughter and drink. But for now, he’d just enjoy a small break. He and Tamorith had finished their work and he was famished, a sentiment Tamorith readily shared.
“Hiromitsu, I’m glad you’re still here!”
Speaking of work.
Turning, Hiromitsu found Tsubasa, fellow bronze rider, hurrying towards him with a youth quick on his heels. Hiromitsu had accompanied Tsubasa to one of the more western holds by request, delivering special commissioned art to the Lord Holder, but it was almost time for the both of them to return to their Weyr.
Hiromitsu saluted casually, his lips quirking into a small smile as Tsubasa neared. “I was just about to leave, Tamorith’s hungry and it’s almost time,” he answered, nodding to where Tamorith was sunbathing. “What is it?”
He took a moment to size up Tsubasa’s companion. The boy was well dressed, his clothes speaking of money but not of any particular rank. He was handsome, but his step told Hiromitsu he possessed agility and balance. He was no soft son of a Lord Holder, that was for certain. His eyes were bright and intelligent but confused as they met Hiromitsu’s, before the boy’s gaze shifted, focusing at some point over Hiromitsu’s shoulder, and Hiromitsu realized he was nervous.
“This is Taisuke,” said Tsubasa, cutting right to the point, “I want you to take him back to the Weyr.”
Hiromitsu’s smile froze in place, but his eyebrow rose in question. There was only one reason to take any child - though this ‘Taisuke’ was more of a young man really - to the Weyr at this very moment. The Hatching was mere hours away. “Tsubasa, this place isn’t beholden to us, we can’t just take someone to a Hatching. We’re not even on a Search.”
From behind Tsubasa, Taisuke’s brows furrowed, lips pursing in a small frown.
“I already spoke to Koichi” said Tsubasa, almost before Hiromitsu had finished speaking. He had that look in his eye, one that Hiromitsu knew from experience meant that the man was not about to be reasoned with. “Please, go, the Hatching will start soon and I still need to speak to the Lord Tsuyoshi.”
It was an unexpected turn of events, but Hiromitsu had no real reason to argue, especially if the Fort Weyrleader had already allowed it. He nodded, inclining his head to Tsubasa for a moment before turning to this Taisuke. “Alright. But we’d better hurry, Hideaki said it’d be happening soon.”
‘I’m coming,’ Tamorith warbled and a shadow fell over them as the bronze dragon launched himself from the cliff, gliding down to land himself as neatly as possibly behind Hiromitsu. Hiromitsu couldn’t help but watch in satisfaction as Taisuke gasped when the dragon snaked his head around, nosing at Hiromitsu’s shoulder in affection.
But then Tamorith leaned in, moving so he could eye Taisuke. Taisuke’s jaw was still open in surprise - not many holders got to see dragons up so close and though they looked much like the dainty fire lizards, they were so much larger - but he stood his ground, not flinching when Tamorith’s head was mere inches from his own. Hiromitsu realized that rather than being surprised or scared, Taisuke’s expression was that of awe.
‘I like this one. He will make a good rider,’ Tamorith said cheerfully, retreating as he spoke to Hiromitsu. Hiromitsu lay an affectionate hand on the beast’s head, scratching at Tamorith’s eye ridge.
“Up you get,” he said to Taisuke, holding his hand out to help him up onto the dragon’s back.
“I’m fine.” Taisuke took a side-step, neatly ducking under Hiromitsu’s hand and scrambling up onto Tamorith’s foreleg, easily swinging himself up between the ridges on the dragon’s back. The sudden decisiveness surprised Hiromitsu but he smoothed it into another smile and quickly swung himself up behind the boy, quickly securing the both of them. Tamorith spread his wings, launching into the air. As Tsubasa and the Hold dropped away, Tamorith whisked the three of them between.
Belatedly Hiromitsu realized that he should have at least tried to prepare Taisuke for his first flight between. The feeling of being robbed of all your senses as you traveled between the nothingness that was between here and there was none too pleasant, though Hiromitsu had grown used to it. It could be downright terrifying your first time.
When they winked back into daylight - the trip between being no longer than the time it took to cough three times - Taisuke seemed unaffected for the most part, only the way his hands clutched at Hiromitsu’s forearms betraying his surprise at their trip. But it could be that his attention was being stolen by the hundreds of dragons that filled the air to create a magnificent rainbow of dragon hide and wing, ducking and diving around each other so as to avoid collisions, each carrying a rider and passengers.
‘Mireth says the Hatching will happen any moment now,’ Tamorith announced, almost unnecessarily, for what else would all the fuss be for otherwise? Their timing could not have been better. In fact, if they didn’t hurry, they’d actually be too late.
Hiromitsu told Tamorith to fly to Wataru’s weyr instead of his own, knowing the man would have the clothes appropriate for a Hatching candidate. They landed in the weyr and Hiromitsu slid off his dragon, hurrying into Wataru’s personal quarters. He knew the brown rider would complain about it, but he’d be forgiven. After ransacking a couple drawers, he found what he was looking for: the white robes meant for Impression.
When he returned to the outer weyr, Taisuke had only just clambered down from Tamorith, looking confused and bewildered.
“Take your clothes off.”
“What?”
“Take your clothes off,” Hiromitsu repeated, thrusting the robe at Taisuke, who stared at him like he was mad before tentatively tugging at his tunic. Hiromitsu assisted in yanking the boy’s shirt off when he didn’t comply fast enough. “The Hatching is going to happen any moment now. We need to get you to the Hatching grounds.”
Soon they had Taisuke changed out of his expensive breeches and tunic and into the robe, leaving his clothes in a pile on the floor. They’d have to remember them later, Hiromitsu thought as he urged Taisuke up onto Tamorith’s back again, taking flight again and heading straight to the Hatching Grounds. Into the tunnel they flew, nose to tail to nose with two other dragons before entering the hollowed mountain cavern. On the heated sands themselves, dragons were depositing candidates and Hiromitsu swooped down as soon as there was room.
He almost felt sorry for Taisuke, watching the boy as he slid off the dragon’s back. “Don’t be afraid,” he said, knowing that was such a silly thing to say, but wanting to leave this boy who’d been randomly thrust into his care with some parting words. “If you’re meant to be a rider, the dragon will find you.” With that, they left Taisuke on the sands with the rest of the candidates. Would the boy make it, he wondered. What had Tsubasa seen or sensed that had caused him to place Taisuke on the Grounds? Tamorith approved of the boy as well and while Hiromitsu couldn’t put his finger on anything striking about the boy, he seemed to have his wits about him and that was more than enough.
Tamorith dropped him off on a small alcove where Weyrleader Hideaki was standing, with Benden’s Weyrwoman Karina on one side and Tsubasa, who had appeared in the meantime, on the other.
“Tsubasa was just telling me about your pick,” the Weyrleader greeted with a smile. “I’m glad you made it in time.”
“He’s not my pick,” Hiromitsu said, turning to watch the Grounds with the rest of them.
Just then, one of the eggs rocked violently, a crack appearing down its side.
~
Taisuke stood on the Hatching Grounds and wondered how the hell he’d even gotten there.
He knew how, the events playing quite clearly through his mind as they’d just happened, but none of it quite felt real. A bronze rider stopping him in the street with strange questions, another one sweeping him halfway across the Northern Continent for a Hatching, and now he stood here, the sand warm against his feet.
The candidates fanned out in a loose semi-circle, with the girls standing especially close to the golden egg. It was a good sized clutch, with nearly three dozen eggs plus a golden queen egg and there were plenty of candidates to satisfy the lot.
Did Taisuke have a chance? Did he want a chance? He’d gone without thinking and now that he was here…
But before he could decide, one of the eggs rocked and then cracked. Several others began to rock as well and soon one of the dragons - a wet and pitiful blue - broke from its shell, sprawling onto the sands in disoriented need.
Other dragons joined it in its search. A bronze appeared, staggering towards a boy who looked to be just older than Taisuke himself and a look of reverence and adoration fell over the boy’s face almost immediately. The bronze dragon had been Impressed.
Soon other dragons found their riders, with eggs still hatching. Taisuke stood, wanting to step forward but unsure if it was a good idea. At first he’d thought the dragon hatchlings to be hideous, but as he watched a green scamper past him, intent on someone to his left, he couldn’t help but find their newborn eagerness endearing.
But then everything changed in an instant. The little green hatchling he’d be watching suddenly turned and lurched straight into him. Taisuke fell before he could catch himself, the sand hot on his bare skin, but it didn’t matter, for he found himself looking into the brilliant rainbow of the dragon’s eye and losing himself in that gaze.
She had been looking for him, the dragon told him as she leaned in to butt at his chest. She was so very hungry.
Inexplicable joy filled him as he reached up to scratch Niketh’s eye ridge, his lips curving into a smile of elation as she purred at the touch. Her name, along with her affection and her own adoration came to him like a sudden revelation. Of course he would feed her. He would do anything for her. Niketh was the loveliest creature he’d ever seen and he suddenly knew that this is what he’d wanted all along.
~
“Look,” Hideaki chuckled, nodding to the middle of the hatching fray. “A green.”
Hiromitsu glanced away from the golden egg, only to find Taisuke, the boy he’d practically dropped in the middle of the Hatching Grounds, kneeling in front of a small green, completely oblivious to his surroundings. Hiromitsu could see his expression, the lost look of wonder, and knew exactly how the boy felt. In his mind, Tamorith rumbled happily.
“I knew he’d be a good pick,” Tsubasa said, peering at the grounds. “Though I admit, I almost was hoping he’d be a bronze rider. There’s just something about him…”
“Mm,” Hideaki turned to watch as the queen’s egg began to hatch. “I guess we’ll just have to keep an eye on him.”
But Hiromitsu couldn’t tear himself away from the sight of Taisuke with his newly Impressed dragon, not even when the queen egg hatched and a new queen rider was made. There was something about the way Taisuke hadn’t even managed to move from where he knelt that made it hard to look away. He still didn’t quite know what made this boy so special, but somehow, in that moment, he could feel it too.
He would definitely have to keep an eye on the boy.
~
Taisuke would have spent an eternity on the hot sands, scratching Niketh’s eye ridges, but the new born beast was plaintive with her hunger and soon he realized that blue dragons and their riders were carefully gliding onto the Hatching Grounds. The crowds were emptying from the tiers of seats and the queen had already left to feed.
“I’m Fumito and this is Goth,” the first blue rider said as he introduced himself, smiling at them in a way that was warm and welcoming. He walked towards them, jauntily, and with an air of playfulness about him.
“And I’m Ryoichi. This is Zukath,“ the second blue rider said, also smiling as he waved. There was a bounce in his step as he approached and Taisuke couldn’t help but smile when Ryoichi beamed at him. “We’ll be helping you for the first few sevendays with your hatchlings. I’m sure we all know how hungry they are and they’re too young to catch their own prey easily.”
“Goth and the rest will help you feed your dragons for the first while,” Fumito said, picking up where Ryoichi left off without missing a beat. “We’ll also help train them to catch their own food once they’re a bit older. A dragon must eat well or there could be complications when flying between.” This last bit he said while looking at Taisuke. Taisuke blinked, surprised at being singled out. He found himself wondering if he was the only one who was Holdbred in the lot. Those who were Weyrbred were more attuned to dragons and tended to be picked before any candidates from the Holds.
Niketh wobbled along by Taisuke’s side, occasionally butting at his hand for attention. ‘I’m hungry,’ she reminded him and he smiled gently as they followed the riders, leaving the Hatching Grounds together, side by side.
~
“Hiromitsu.”
“Yes, Weyrleader?” Hiromitsu turned, smartly at attention as the man called out his name.
“I need Tsubasa in the council before the Mastercraftsmen leave,” Hideaki told him, accepting a message from a small blue fire lizard as he spoke. “If you could see if this new boy of yours needs any sort of arrangements made? Tsubasa said you two left without really consulting anyone but Koichi.”
On Tsubasa’s insistence, Hiromitsu thought, but didn’t say anything, not even to say that Taisuke’s was not exactly his. Instead he inclined his head. “Yes, Weyrleader.”
Tamorith’s pleased approval rippled through his mind as the dragon landed on the ledge to retrieve his rider. ‘Taisuke will be a good rider.’
“You sound so sure of that,” Hiromitsu replied wryly, swinging himself up onto the dragon’s back. “He’s not more than the hatchling he just Impressed.”
Tamorith merely repeated his statement as they took off, flying back out through the tunnel. The dragon also reminded Hiromitsu that Taisuke and his dragon were probably still in the feeding grounds and he, Hiromitsu, should probably take care of Wataru’s weyr before the man discovered the mess he’d made.
“Shit, I forgot,” Hiromitsu cursed and they wheeled about, heading towards the personal weyrs and dropping into Wataru’s. Luckily it seemed that Wataru was playing host still. There would be partying later in the evening, of course, but not all guests could stay for the feast. Dragonriders would be busy returning guests to their Holds and Crafthalls. Thus Wataru’s weyr was still empty when they landed, Taisuke’s clothes still piled on the floor.
Scooping them up, he shook them out and carefully folded them, tucking them aside before entering Wataru’s personal weyr, quickly putting order to the chaos he’d created earlier.
‘The hatchlings have been fed,’ Tamorith said as Hiromitsu joined him again.
“Let’s head to the barracks,” Hiromitsu said, mounting Tamorith. It’d take a least a month for the dragonets to learn how to fly and therefore be able to access the weyrs. Before that time, the new riders and dragons stayed in the ground level barracks together, in small replicas of the dragon weyrs, and even then they would not move to their weyrs until they were assigned to a fighting wing. Until that time, they would train with the Weyrlingmaster and his assistants, to learn how to fight against Thread - the deadly silver spores that fell like rain during a Pass. A dragon’s flame is what protected Holds and their precious herds and crops from Thread and so all dragons and their riders were trained to combat this threat.
Tamorith was gliding down to the barracks when he snorted and through him, Hiromitsu could feel something was amiss. The hatchlings were distressed. Where were Fumito and Ryoichi?
As they winged around the cliff that hid the barracks from view, Hiromitsu quickly realized what was making the hatchlings so upset. In the clearing in front of the barracks, there was a standoff between Hikaru, a boy Hiromitsu had known since the other’s birth and who had just Impressed a bronze dragon, and Taisuke, whose own green was wound protectively around Taisuke’s legs. Though he couldn’t quite tell what was going on with Taisuke’s back to him, Hikaru was red-faced and glaring.
But what gave Hiromitsu the most surprise was that when Hikaru took a step towards Taisuke, the little green, only half the size of Hikaru’s own bronze and barely the size of a large dog, screamed. She lashed her head out menacingly, wings spreading to give her the illusion of larger size.
It amazed Hiromitsu. He had never once seen a green show such defiance to a bronze dragon, not even newly hatched. Greens were the smallest and while they weren’t unwilling to pick on blues or scold browns, they usually were very submissive to the bronzes and the golden queens, as they were considered the ruling class among dragons. Hikaru’s bronze jerked back in surprise before hissing, moving to plant himself securely in front of his rider.
‘Hikaru doesn’t like that our Taisuke Impressed Niketh,’ Tamorith said, sounding rather cool. Hiromitsu frowned. Surely Hikaru would not have such an issue with Taisuke after a mere hour of acquaintance, what could possibly be wrong?
Niketh screamed again, more distressed this time, and Taisuke knelt, arms protectively around her. That was enough for Tamorith. He bellowed, folding his wings and dropping from where they’d been watching, landing with a thud near the small crowd of hatchlings and riders. Hiromitsu was used to such maneuvers but it still jarred his teeth and he had to pause for a moment before swinging down off Tamorith, laying a hand on the beast’s muzzle as he surveyed the scene before him. Taisuke looked pale and startled, slowly moving so he shielded Niketh from Hikaru and his bronze as well as Tamorith and Hiromitsu. Hikaru looked equally as startled, taking an involuntary step back as Hiromitsu looked his way.
“Would someone like to tell me what is going on?” Hiromitsu asked, clearly, firmly, and with a touch of anger.
~
The blue dragons had been swift in killing enough herdbeasts for all the hatchlings to eat. Niketh herself could only manage a hindquarter but she eagerly ripped into the flesh, voicing her pleasure to Taisuke. When all the dragonets had been fed, Fumito stepped up on Goth’s foreleg, looking the group over.
“Head to the barracks, your dragons are all tired after breaking shell and eating. After they’re asleep you may join the celebrations or begin moving your things to your new quarters.” With a smile and a jaunty salute, he mounted his dragon and soon they were aloft, Ryoichi and Zukath following soon after.
‘I am rather tired,’ Niketh said, bumping against his hand and warbling lazily. Taisuke stepped carefully along, following behind because everyone else seemed to know where they were going and what they were supposed to do. Instead of paying attention to where they were headed, he watched Niketh trundle next to him, her belly filled so it bulged and her eyelids fluttering drowsily.
“Outsiders really shouldn’t be allowed to Impress,” a boy said, farther up ahead on the path to the barracks. He was the boy Taisuke had seen impress the first bronze from the clutch, though Taisuke didn’t know his name at all. “They should just keep to their fire lizards if they want a pet.”
“Hikaru,” someone said, shocked, and Taisuke felt himself blush.
“Niketh isn’t a pet,” he said, stepping forward. There was no one else that remark could have been pointed at. Indeed, Hikaru turned to glare at him the moment he spoke. It was true, those born in Holds were not often picked for Impression. The closest Taisuke had ever been to a dragon before were the fire lizards - which were just like miniature dragons, really, though the largest were only the length of Taisuke’s arm - but Holdbred or not, he knew the purpose of a fighting, fire-breathing dragon.
“I know that,” the boy snapped, striding closer to Taisuke, bronze dragon at his side. “But you’re a Holder’s son, you don’t know anything. I bet you’ll turn tail the moment they start training us on Thread because you’re so scared. Holders are such cowards in the face of Thread. You’ll get your dragon killed before she’s even had a chance to live.”
There was a ripple of shocked murmurs among the hatchling crowd and Taisuke felt himself suddenly cold.
It was an insult, one that Taisuke could challenge him for, but he found himself too off-balance at the remark. Not because it was an insult to him, but that Hikaru had dared say that Taisuke himself would get Niketh, his precious Niketh, killed. He choked, too many words trying to come out at once.
This seemed to upset Niketh as she instantly wrapped her small body around his legs. Snaking her head around to face Hikaru, she let out a scream of anger.
“Niketh,” Taisuke said, startled, but trying to hold still so as not to fall over on her. “Niketh, it’s alright…”
Hikaru’s bronze did not like that one bit and planted himself firmly between Niketh and Hikaru, hissing angrily back at her.
‘I don’t like him,’ Niketh said, screaming again only this time she did not sound quite so fierce. But suddenly there was a shadow falling over them and a dragon dived out of the sky, landing with a thud nearby, so heavily that they were all had to close their eyes to avoid the dust that kicked up.
It was Tamorith and Hiromitsu, the bronze pair towering over the hatchling group in a way that was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Niketh was just as startled as the rest of them, and Taisuke was able to untangle himself, crouching protectively with his arms around her, trying to reassure her that all was right.
Though Taisuke knew from before that Hiromitsu wasn’t a towering figure in terms of physical stature, there was no denying the man’s powerful presence as he slid from his dragon’s shoulder, his movements speaking of strength and ability. It was the perfect image of a dragonrider, Tamorith’s wings still spread against the sunlight and Hiromitsu standing at his foreleg in flying furs and wher-hide.
However, Hiromitsu did not look pleased, not one bit.
“Would someone like to tell me what is going on?” the man asked, his voice tight.
There was silence for several long moments before a girl stepped forward. It was the new queen rider, her hand resting against her golden dragon’s shoulder.
“Sir, it was Hikaru. He insulted the Holder boy,” she said, not looking at anyone but Hiromitsu, but she was clearly nervous speaking up. “Said he’d get his dragon killed and that he was a coward.”
Hiromitsu’s expression darkened and he turned to Hikaru. “Speak for yourself, Hikaru. Is this true?”
The expression on Hikaru’s face was that of embarrassment and panic. “Sir…” But Hiromitsu narrowed his eyes, quelling Hikaru with a single look. “Yes, sir.”
“You are confined to your barracks until the Weyrlingmaster had time to deal with you,” Hiromitsu said harshly. “You are a dragonrider, you are no longer a child. You must learn how to act so you do not stain the reputation of the Weyr. Your actions are unacceptable and I do not want to hear of you ever speaking so thoughtlessly again.”
The words were biting and powerful. Even Taisuke flinched, though they were not aimed at him. Hikaru nodded almost frantically, turning to lead his dragon to one of the barracks as far away from Hiromitsu as possible.
Once he was gone, Hiromitsu became less rigid, a small smile forming on his lips as he gestured for the riders to continue on with their dragonets, before he turned to look at Taisuke.
“I actually came to see you. I apologize profusely for any insult offered.”
“Oh…” Taisuke shook his head quickly. Niketh had finally calmed, rubbing her head against his thigh. “No, it’s quite alright. I…” He wasn’t sure what to say, quite embarrassed about the whole matter. Hikaru’s words had shaken him, but that was hardly something Hiromitsu should apologize for.
The man smiled, nodding towards the nearest living quarters. “Is this yours?”
Blinking, Taisuke realized he’d forgotten about the barracks and choosing one for himself. But they were still empty and he had no real preference. “I think it is.”
Stepping inside, he found himself standing in what looked just like the weyr Hiromitsu had taken him to before the Hatching, only on the ground and a little more compact. There was a warmed stone bed for Niketh, which she instantly hobbled over to, curling up for sleep, and a bed for Taisuke. There was a wardrobe, desk, chair, and two openings in the back, curtained off. Taisuke guessed that one lead to the bathing room, and the other connected him to the inner network of Benden Weyr’s tunnels.
It was nothing he was used to, but he didn’t mind that. Niketh was happy, falling asleep almost instantly, and his quarters weren’t even unpleasant, bare though it was.
Hiromitsu came in behind him, smiling as he glanced towards the already sleeping Niketh. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Taisuke said, glancing at Niketh, a smile forming on his lips that he couldn’t have repressed even if he’d tried to. He was sure Hiromitsu understood. “She’s amazing.”
“The Weyrleader sent me here to see if there were any arrangements that needed to be made,” the man explained as he took a seat. Taisuke was struck by the understated confidence that seemed to emanate from the man, nothing of the boasting arrogance like the sons of the Lord Holders. Hiromitsu was quiet, calm, and contained. He truly was a bronze rider and Taisuke could guess he was a wingleader. He was so caught up in the thought that it took him a moment to remember that Hiromitsu had actually spoken.
“Oh.” Between the rush to the Weyr and impressing Niketh, Taisuke had forgotten about the reality of his life. He was suddenly no longer just Taisuke, he was Taisuke, rider of green Niketh. “I suppose I need to tell my parents or something.” He felt silly admitting that aloud to the bronze rider, but Hiromitsu just nodded.
“You’ll have to stay here for at least a Turn,” Hiromitsu said. “That’s how long it will take for Niketh to mature enough and for you two to undergo basic training. After that, you could transfer to the Fort Weyr, but dragons tend to prefer places they grew up in. We can have someone pass a message or a letter on to your family if you wish, and collect any of your personal items, or even bring them here to discuss things with you. A rider shouldn’t leave his dragon very often in the early stages,” he said and then chuckled when Taisuke made a dismayed noise.
“I wouldn’t want to,” Taisuke said, glancing at Niketh. How anyone could think of leaving their dragon, he wasn’t sure. The thought was a strange and dismaying one, even to himself who had only just Impressed Niketh. “What happens now, though? I mean, I know the basics since we’re taught our ballads and songs but what will Niketh and I be doing?”
Pursing his lips for a moment, Hiromitsu looked him over. “Greens don’t typically run long patrols, but they fight Thread, take part in watches, and run deliveries and anything else. It depends on who you’re assigned to when you join a wing. But more on that later,” he added, when Taisuke had to stifle an embarrassing yawn. He’d been paying attention, truly, but suddenly his eyes no longer wanted to stay open. “Normally I’d ask you to join the celebrations but you look like you could use some sleep. I’ll take my leave. We’ll have someone send a message to your family as soon as possible.”
“Thank you,” Taisuke said, before having to cover another yawn. He watched as Hiromitsu walked out the door before crawling over to where Niketh slept. He had a bed of his own, but he didn’t want to sleep there. Instead he snuggled against Niketh, half curled around her warm body, and fell into a deep sleep.
~
‘I think we should keep a close eye on them,” Tamorith said as soon as Hiromitsu joined him again.
“I know, I know,” Hiromitsu said, feeling as annoyed as he could be with his dragon. Tamorith, Tsubasa, even the Weyrleader all thought the same thing, but Hiromitsu was not so convinced. Taisuke seemed completely out of his element and almost timid in his demeanor, though Hiromitsu did appreciate how quick he was on the uptake and how he’d stayed calm through his first jump between. Only time would tell if Taisuke would become a decent dragonrider, let alone show the potential everyone seemed to see in him. “But right now we need to run some errands before they break out the wine.”
The dragon threw his head back and let out a sound that was somewhere between a rumbling couch and a roar. Tamorith was laughing at him. ‘Too late,’ the dragon said in amusement. ‘The Masterharper had them bring out the bottles already.’
“Dammit!”
~
[Two Turns later]
~
“Niketh!” Taisuke scolded, torn between affection and exasperation as he watched his dragon take down a second herdbeast, “You’re such a glutton, you ate yesterday!”
Pointedly ripping into her second kill with gusto, Niketh quickly settled in devouring and Taisuke sighed in amused dismay. Niketh’s growth had finally come to a halt - leaving her as a decent sized green dragon - but her appetite hadn’t diminished one bit since her last growth spurt.
“Are you done, pig?” Taisuke said, laughing when Niketh picked her way across the hunting grounds to him, butting affectionately at his chest, gently enough so as not to knock him off his feet.
‘Tamorith says Hiromitsu is looking for us,’ she said. ‘And I itch.’
“Oh?” Taisuke frowned, distractedly scratching at her eye ridges. Niketh itching meant it was time for an oiling to protect her hide against dry skin and subsequent cracking. But if the bronze rider was actually looking for him, it could be something important. All the dragons and riders from Taisuke and Niketh’s hatching were being assigned to their fighting wings now, to continue the last leg of their training. What if Taisuke was being assigned to Hiromitsu’s wing?
It wouldn’t be a bad deal. Taisuke had secretly been hoping to be on the Weyrleader’s wing or Tsubasa’s, but Hiromitsu’s wing was held in high regard and Hiromitsu held almost as much respect as the Weyrleader himself. Also, even though Taisuke would not say he knew Hiromitsu well, for all he’d been in Benden Weyr for two Turns now, he knew the man was much more easy-going than Jun or Subaru.
‘Itchy,’ Niketh complained.
“Right, I know,” Taisuke apologized. “Tell Tamorith that we’ll speak to them after we’re done? I need to oil you and you need a bath first.”
‘I don’t want a bath,’ the dragon said, sounding suddenly sulky. ‘I itch. Let’s go talk to Tamorith.’
“To the lake,” Taisuke said firmly, swinging up onto Niketh’s back, not leaving any room for his dragon to protest. She snorted in complaint but spread her wings, launching into the air to glide over to the lake.
~
“Where are they, Tamorith?” Hiromitsu asked as they perched on the Star Stones, overlooking the Weyr.
‘Niketh says Taisuke is making her take a bath,’ the dragon said, amused. ‘Should we wait for them?’
Hiromitsu chuckled, reaching down to smooth a hand over Tamorith’s shoulder. “You could do with a bath too. Let’s go meet them, shall we?”
It was a quick flight from the Star Stones to the lake, Tamorith settling down near where Niketh was wading into the water. “In you go,” Hiromitsu said, sliding off Tamorith’s back, sending his bronze into the water as well before he approached Taisuke.
“Evening,” he greeted, offering Taisuke a smile.
“Hello.” Taisuke gave him a small smile before turning back to the dragons in the water. “All the way, Niketh!” he called out, exasperated. “I need you clean.”
Niketh’s irritation washed over them both, prompting another smile from Taisuke. Hiromitsu laughed, slinging himself down on the ground.
“Niketh said you were looking for us. What did you want?”
The directness of the question would have surprised Hiromitsu two years ago, but no longer. When Hiromitsu had first met Taisuke, Taisuke had seemed hesitant and quiet. But that had all changed once the boy had adjusted to being in Benden Weyr and the transformation had been nothing short of stunning. Taisuke was outgoing, charming, quite talkative, determined, and extremely stubborn. Hiromitsu may not really know Taisuke very well on a personal level but nearly every dragon and rider on his wing knew Taisuke and liked him.
Yes, Hiromitsu had a reason for needing to see the green dragon and her rider. “I wanted to tell you we were adding you to our wing. If you’d like, of course.”
“It’d be an honor to fly with you,” Taisuke said, inclining his head respectfully. The answer pleased Hiromitsu.
“There’s an extra weyr on the same level as Wataru’s that can be yours and we’ll start integrating you into our formations in a few days as well.”
Taisuke hummed in agreement, nodding as he kept an eye at where Niketh was trying to make a grab at Tamorith’s tail, squealing every time he swished it out of her reach.
Tamorith was in high spirits, snorting in the water and rolling around, keeping his tail away from the younger dragon’s paws. It was an amusing sight, as Tamorith was easily twice the size of Niketh, made doubly so by how irate Niketh was when denied her target.
“She’s grown well,” Hiromitsu commented, idly dusting at his trousers. “I’m guessing it won’t be too long until she flies.”
In fact, it was almost surprising that Niketh, as a green dragon, hadn’t already risen to mate as every other green in her clutch had. The only female who hadn’t was the golden Yukith who had been Impressed by Aya at Niketh’s hatching.
But this did not seem to be the right thing to say as Taisuke’s expression immediately clouded over. “I don’t want her to fly.”
Hiromitsu frowned. “That’s like saying you don’t want winter to come. She will fly. She has to.”
“I don’t care,” Taisuke said waspishly, a complete turn-around from his good mood, though just as direct as before. “I don’t want her to.”
This was not how Hiromitsu had expected the conversation to go as his comment having been quite off-hand, but it was like he’d stepped on a land-mine and suddenly ignited Taisuke’s anger. “Why wouldn’t you want her to fly?”
Taisuke’s mouth was set in a mulish line. “There’s no one I want to fly her.”
Hiromitsu quirked an eyebrow questioningly. “What about Fumito’s Goth? Or Wataru’s Iideth, they’d be good dragons. Or any number of other blues and browns, even a bronze would probably try to fly her.”
“I don’t want Niketh to be some consolation prize for a bunch of dragons who’d rather fly a queen,” Taisuke snarled. “And don’t try to tell me it’s otherwise. I’ve seen the way everyone vies for Aya and Yukith’s attention, no matter what chance they might have.”
“That’s now how it works here,” Hiromitsu said, firmly. He was surprised, not used to a green rider being so outspoken against a bronze rider like himself nor at anyone against the idea of a dragon’s flight. But then he was reminded that Taisuke wasn’t Weyrbred, he’d been raised in a Hold where this sort of thing usually meant something rather different.
“I don’t care,” Taisuke said, abruptly pulling himself to his feet. “I want someone to fly Niketh because they want to fly her, not because they can’t fly something else.” With that, he stomped to the water’s edge. “Niketh! We need to get you dried off and oiled, come on.”
Snuffling in complaint, Niketh rolled off of Tamorith’s back, wading to where Taisuke was waiting. Hiromitsu watched as the boy launched himself onto the dragon’s back and then as dragon and rider flew away, heading to the Star Stones to dry off in the still warm sun.
Tamorith made his way back to the shore as well, at a more leisurely pace. ‘That went well.’
Frowning, Hiromitsu made no comment, simply pulling himself to his feet and joining his dragon. He hadn’t expected Taisuke to be so upset over Niketh’s rising to mate nor for him to react so explosively. “Let’s go,” he said, resting a hand on Tamorith’s foreleg. “Let’s see where Tsubasa is.”
~
‘You’re unhappy,’ Niketh said, craning her head around to nuzzle at Taisuke’s shoulder. Dried and well-oiled, the dragon had returned them both to their quarters. They’d soon be vacating them though, moving into a proper dragon weyr as they were now part of the fighting wings. At least, Taisuke thought so. He felt guilty, and also ashamed, for speaking out of turn to one of the wingleaders. Would Hiromitsu retract his offer?
“I’m sorry, dear,” he sighed, moving so Niketh’s nose rested against his chest, stroking at her muzzle. “I don’t mean to be. I just want someone good for you.” But the words sounded silly as they left his mouth.
‘Do you want someone good for me for my sake or for your own?’ Niketh inquired, though she sounded more amused than anything.
“For you, of course,” Taisuke said, shocked at the question. “I just…” he stopped talking, letting out a heavy sigh and resting his forehead against Niketh’s softened hide.
‘It does not bother me so much,’ Niketh warbled gently. ‘It shouldn’t bother you either, but I am sad when you are sad.’
Taisuke felt properly wretched, but he couldn’t help it. He had meant what he’d said to Hiromitsu, he did not want Niketh to be flown as a consolation. She did not mind it, but Taisuke thought she deserved more and it did not matter if men like Hiromitsu found him silly.
“Let’s go for a fly,” he said finally, ducking beneath her neck and swinging up on her back. This was enough distraction for Niketh and she did not ask any more questions.
~
“Chewed out by a green rider,” Shouta chuckled and Hiromitsu groaned into his tankard. Unable to find Tsubasa, Hiromitsu had headed into the dining hall, meeting up with his close friend. But the Dragonharper (for Shouta had trained at the grand Harperhall before he’d come to the Weyr and impressed his blue dragon Kotath) was more amused at his situation than anything else.
“You shouldn’t be so surprised he doesn’t like the idea,” Shouta added, carelessly plucking at his guitar as Hiromitsu drank. “He’s a Holder’s son and two Turns here isn’t going to just undo all that. Why do you think he keeps away when there are flights and such?”
“I know, but I would have thought…” Hiromitsu trailed off, frowning. “Hang on, are you saying he hasn’t…?”
“Haven’t you noticed?” Shouta asked, laughing louder when Hiromitsu let out a dismayed noise. “By the Egg, Hiromitsu, didn’t you know he’s turned down Fumito’s advances? Or anyone’s advances, really. He’s nice about it and all, but you can tell he’s still…”
“Oh damn,” Hiromitsu groaned, wanting to bang his head against the table for having not realized. “He’s a virgin.”
He should have realized, but he hadn’t even given a thought about it before. Why would he, it wasn’t like he went around speculating about the private matters of his own wing, let alone Weyrlings. And yet he would never have thought so, looking at Taisuke. Even without paying close attention, he knew well that Taisuke was friendly and open and flirtatious. And yet…
“Why do you think Niketh hasn’t flown,” Shouta chuckled, greatly enjoying Hiromitsu’s pain. “You should know better, really.
“Damn it all.”
“It’s not like what he wants is really so unreasonable,” Shouta said, suddenly serious. “Dragons can fly by who they want or who their riders want, you know that just as well as I. Anyway, that’s why Niketh hasn’t flown yet. He can’t stop her, but if he’s not ready, she’ll unconsciously put it off as long as possible.”
“Yes, but if he’s so against, that could be a disaster.” A rider would never normally fight a mating flight, but after seeing Taisuke’s adamancy, Hiromitsu wouldn’t count out the possibility, especially after finding out this last bit of news.
With the dragon mating flight and the bonds shared by Impression, sexual relationships were casual and often kept separate from romantic relationships, because female dragons were almost always flown by the male who could catch them the fastest. A rider didn’t really have a choice in the matter, though their wants could be influential on their dragon’s performance. One example of this was the relationship shared by Hideaki and Karina as Weyrleader and Weyrwoman, Hideaki’s bronze Hisath flying Karina’s Mireth - and thus keeping Hideaki as Weryleader - even when Tsubasa was Hideaki’s weyrmate. But the Holds were different, adhering to their own, more conservative traditions and Taisuke had been raised in a Hold for seventeen Turns. But Hiromitsu would have thought in the two Turns he’d lived in Benden Weyr, someone would have persuaded him to their bed, or that Taisuke would have tried something himself. Apparently not.
Grumbling, Hiromitsu refilled his tankard. “What if he tries to take her between or something?”
“Well…” Shouta drawled. “I guess as his wingleader you’d better warm your little green up to the idea.”
Hiromitsu snorted into his drink and said no more.
But as Tamorith took him back to their weyr, he couldn’t help but think about it. While he was not going to stoop so low to say he was interested because of a dragon’s welfare, he was not going to deny that he was interested. Taisuke was very attractive and Hiromitsu found him charming when he wasn’t being a stubborn mule.
(And besides, if Taisuke was more ready for Niketh’s flight, it was still a win-win scenario.)
~
Taisuke didn’t see Hiromitsu again for several days besides training, even after he moved into his new weyr. Instead, Wataru was with him, making sure he settled and his extra gear was provided. Though Wataru was his senior in both years and rank, they had become friends during Taisuke’s training and Taisuke found this new arrangement comfortable.
Training was exhausting. As a green rider pair - the most agile, but also the one with the least stamina - their fighting routines were grueling. Taisuke had been trained to fly against Thread with Niketh chewing firestone and with a flamethrower, but all the formations that they’d been drilled on were useless with Hiromitsu’s modified tactics. It would be almost a month before he would be allowed to officially fly with the wing.
But beyond training, which consisted of Hiromitsu rapping out orders and Taisuke and Niketh obeying as quickly as possible, he didn’t see much of the wingleader.
In fact, they did not have an actual conversation until nearly a sevenday after Taisuke joined the wing, when Tamorith settled down at the lakeshore near where Taisuke and Niketh were. Tamorith rumbled happily, splashing into the water after Niketh.
Their appearance caught Taisuke by surprise, but Niketh was so pleased at the company, talking a mile a minute as she chased Tamorith’s tail.
“He likes it,” Hiromitsu said by way of greeting. “Says she gives him a good backscratch.”
“I guess that’s one way to go about it,” Taisuke laughed, watching the two dragons as they played. He had tugged his boots off, sitting just close enough to the water’s edge that the ripples and waves from the dragons’ game washed over his feet.
Hiromitsu joined him after the dragons got deeper into the water, settling himself down on the grassy sandbank.
“Your training is coming along nicely,” Hiromitsu said, with a pleased note in his voice. “If you keep up this progress, we can shave a sevenday off and have your first Threadfall before the next Gathering.”
Taisuke fell back on the sand with a whoop. It’d be perfect if that would happen. His first Threadfall would be the final rite of passage, making him a tried and true dragonrider, and then there’d be a Gathering and he could return home. While he was essentially able to pop home whenever he wished, due to the nearly instantaneous travel between, his life at the Weyr and with Niketh was nothing short of chaotic and he’d only managed a handful of visits in the past half-Turn.
“We’ll do our best,” he promised, closing his eyes and letting the sun warm him.
Unseen, Hiromitsu chuckled. It was a pleasant sound, Taisuke found, and one he didn’t get to hear often. It reminded him of two years, of how Hiromitsu had been the one to sweep Taisuke away from him home, bringing him to Niketh’s Hatching and then rescuing him from an irate bronze rider.
He was further distracted by the water flicking up over his feet and onto his breeches. Niketh and Tamorith were in very high spirits, play-fighting and roaring. Taisuke was going to get soaked at this rate.
“Oh damn,” he heard Hiromitsu curse. “Tamorith, these boots just came from the Tanners.”
‘Well, you should have taken them off like Taisuke did,’ Tamorith said for the both, sounding completely unconcerned and Taisuke couldn’t help but laugh, even when Hiromitsu pretended to glower at him. Like dragon, like rider, and Hiromitsu seemed to be in just as good of a mood.
“I suppose I should take the blasted things off before they get ruined first day. I wanted to break them in,” the man explained as he stood to work on the laces of his brand new, knee-high boots. “They’ll be great when they’re seasoned, but for now they’re a pain in the ass.”
“Here,” Taisuke said, rolling onto his knees to lend a hand. The laces looked to be a mile long and the knots had gotten tangled. It took a few minutes of tugging on both of their parts before the laces were loosened enough for Hiromitsu to kick them off.
Hiromitsu was smiling broadly as he held a hand out for Taisuke. “Thanks,” he said, pulling Taisuke to his feet. “You know, I actually came to talk to you.”
“What?” Taisuke quirked an eyebrow in question. That Tamorith wanted to play again hadn’t seemed that unusual, but what would Hiromitsu want?
Smiling more gently, Hiromitsu kept hold of Taisuke’s hand, drawing him incredibly close. “I know this isn’t something you’re used to, Taisuke. But it doesn’t have to be as scary as you’re making it out to be.”
Everything seemed to freeze for a moment because Hiromitsu was suddenly far too close. Taisuke could feel the heat of his body, his breath ghosting over Taisuke’s cheek. Taisuke was vaguely aware of how Hiromitsu smelled leather and sweat and sandalwood and smoke, which was a surprisingly nice combination.
“I could show you,” Hiromitsu murmured. He still held Taisuke’s hand and it took another moment for Taisuke to realize just what exactly he was talking about.
Tensing for a moment, he reacted without even thinking.
He shoved Hiromitsu into the lake.
There was a look of surprise on the man’s face before he was pinwheeling backwards into the water, but Taisuke didn’t stop to savor the moment. “Niketh, let’s go,” he called out, striding back to where he’d left his own boots and Niketh’s riding harness. “Now.”
Niketh came quickly, but not without complaint, gurgling in the water with disappointment as she swam back to shore to offer Taisuke her shoulder. He was still fuming as they took off, heading to the Star Stones to dry off.
‘You’re upset,’ Niketh said, now properly concerned.
“It’s nothing,” Taisuke growled, trying to fight down a flush, nearly choking on embarrassment and anger.
‘What did he say?’ Niketh demanded, now alarmed as she landed on the rock ledge, craning her head around to look at him. ‘If he said anything wrong, I shall eat him.’
Letting out a small noise of dismay, Taisuke threw his arms around her muzzle, stroking at her hide. Not quite knowing what to say, he opened his mind completely to show her instead.
When they were done, Niketh seemed puzzled, though she continued to nose at him in concern. ‘I don’t quite understand. You didn’t shove Fumito into the lake, why did you do that to Hiromitsu?’
“It’s not the same thing!” Taisuke exclaimed, indignant. Fumito’s advances had felt much more like a joke, Taisuke hadn’t even given it a second thought when he’d refused the offer. But there hadn’t been much in the way of a joke with Hiromitsu. Taisuke could easily see the dark glint in his eyes as he’d spoken.
‘But doesn’t that mean he likes you?’ Niketh asked, still puzzled, and Taisuke had to remind himself that she was a young dragon, with young dragon logic, and that she didn’t much care for puzzling out his more complicated emotions.
“It’s not the same thing,” he repeated, sighing. He rested his head against her muzzle, closing his eyes. This seemed to be enough for Niketh, as she fell silent and continued to nuzzle him until she was dry and they were ready to return to their weyr.
♦♦♦
Part 2
Kisumai - Kitayama/Fujigaya, Fujigaya+Nikaido, Kitayama+Tamamori, Tamamori/Nikaido, with appearances of Yokoo+Iida, ABC-Z, T&T, and various others in various forms.
16,001 words, R, Pern!AU
Kitayama isn't on a Search when Fujigaya is thrust into his care, but when Fujigaya ends up Impressing a dragon of his own, Kitayama realizes that there's more to Fujigaya than he'd first thought. (... But in truth, this is basically 16,000 words of Kitayama trying to get into Fujigaya's pants and succeeding.(Without any actual porn, lol 8D??))
Written for kuro_chin as a massive pile of words for belated Christmas/Birthday. Sorry this took forever long and I hope you like it, Jenni ♥♥♥ Also for Debut Day, even if it's early. Kisumaiiiii ;o; I can't believe it's already been a year! ♥♥♥♥♥
Notes: THERE ARE NO DRAGONS HAVING SEX IN THIS FIC. But there is some species change! As well as genderswap. Sometimes together. This means that yes, I turned Nikaido Takashi into a female dragon. The usage of first names for humans is used here, because in the universe of Pern, last names no longer exist. Also, those who became dragons had their names altered (as all dragons' names end with 'th'.) This might be strange, but it seemed to fit better with the 'verse. Also mostly unbetaed because I didn't feel like inflicting that on anyone. Hopefully nobody will want to kill me after reading this. Most importantly, enjoy!
♦♦♦
Spring was in full swing and that made Tamorith happy and, by extension, Hiromitsu happy. The Hold bustled with life and song, a Harper singing nearby. It’d be time for a Gather soon, with music and laughter and drink. But for now, he’d just enjoy a small break. He and Tamorith had finished their work and he was famished, a sentiment Tamorith readily shared.
“Hiromitsu, I’m glad you’re still here!”
Speaking of work.
Turning, Hiromitsu found Tsubasa, fellow bronze rider, hurrying towards him with a youth quick on his heels. Hiromitsu had accompanied Tsubasa to one of the more western holds by request, delivering special commissioned art to the Lord Holder, but it was almost time for the both of them to return to their Weyr.
Hiromitsu saluted casually, his lips quirking into a small smile as Tsubasa neared. “I was just about to leave, Tamorith’s hungry and it’s almost time,” he answered, nodding to where Tamorith was sunbathing. “What is it?”
He took a moment to size up Tsubasa’s companion. The boy was well dressed, his clothes speaking of money but not of any particular rank. He was handsome, but his step told Hiromitsu he possessed agility and balance. He was no soft son of a Lord Holder, that was for certain. His eyes were bright and intelligent but confused as they met Hiromitsu’s, before the boy’s gaze shifted, focusing at some point over Hiromitsu’s shoulder, and Hiromitsu realized he was nervous.
“This is Taisuke,” said Tsubasa, cutting right to the point, “I want you to take him back to the Weyr.”
Hiromitsu’s smile froze in place, but his eyebrow rose in question. There was only one reason to take any child - though this ‘Taisuke’ was more of a young man really - to the Weyr at this very moment. The Hatching was mere hours away. “Tsubasa, this place isn’t beholden to us, we can’t just take someone to a Hatching. We’re not even on a Search.”
From behind Tsubasa, Taisuke’s brows furrowed, lips pursing in a small frown.
“I already spoke to Koichi” said Tsubasa, almost before Hiromitsu had finished speaking. He had that look in his eye, one that Hiromitsu knew from experience meant that the man was not about to be reasoned with. “Please, go, the Hatching will start soon and I still need to speak to the Lord Tsuyoshi.”
It was an unexpected turn of events, but Hiromitsu had no real reason to argue, especially if the Fort Weyrleader had already allowed it. He nodded, inclining his head to Tsubasa for a moment before turning to this Taisuke. “Alright. But we’d better hurry, Hideaki said it’d be happening soon.”
‘I’m coming,’ Tamorith warbled and a shadow fell over them as the bronze dragon launched himself from the cliff, gliding down to land himself as neatly as possibly behind Hiromitsu. Hiromitsu couldn’t help but watch in satisfaction as Taisuke gasped when the dragon snaked his head around, nosing at Hiromitsu’s shoulder in affection.
But then Tamorith leaned in, moving so he could eye Taisuke. Taisuke’s jaw was still open in surprise - not many holders got to see dragons up so close and though they looked much like the dainty fire lizards, they were so much larger - but he stood his ground, not flinching when Tamorith’s head was mere inches from his own. Hiromitsu realized that rather than being surprised or scared, Taisuke’s expression was that of awe.
‘I like this one. He will make a good rider,’ Tamorith said cheerfully, retreating as he spoke to Hiromitsu. Hiromitsu lay an affectionate hand on the beast’s head, scratching at Tamorith’s eye ridge.
“Up you get,” he said to Taisuke, holding his hand out to help him up onto the dragon’s back.
“I’m fine.” Taisuke took a side-step, neatly ducking under Hiromitsu’s hand and scrambling up onto Tamorith’s foreleg, easily swinging himself up between the ridges on the dragon’s back. The sudden decisiveness surprised Hiromitsu but he smoothed it into another smile and quickly swung himself up behind the boy, quickly securing the both of them. Tamorith spread his wings, launching into the air. As Tsubasa and the Hold dropped away, Tamorith whisked the three of them between.
Belatedly Hiromitsu realized that he should have at least tried to prepare Taisuke for his first flight between. The feeling of being robbed of all your senses as you traveled between the nothingness that was between here and there was none too pleasant, though Hiromitsu had grown used to it. It could be downright terrifying your first time.
When they winked back into daylight - the trip between being no longer than the time it took to cough three times - Taisuke seemed unaffected for the most part, only the way his hands clutched at Hiromitsu’s forearms betraying his surprise at their trip. But it could be that his attention was being stolen by the hundreds of dragons that filled the air to create a magnificent rainbow of dragon hide and wing, ducking and diving around each other so as to avoid collisions, each carrying a rider and passengers.
‘Mireth says the Hatching will happen any moment now,’ Tamorith announced, almost unnecessarily, for what else would all the fuss be for otherwise? Their timing could not have been better. In fact, if they didn’t hurry, they’d actually be too late.
Hiromitsu told Tamorith to fly to Wataru’s weyr instead of his own, knowing the man would have the clothes appropriate for a Hatching candidate. They landed in the weyr and Hiromitsu slid off his dragon, hurrying into Wataru’s personal quarters. He knew the brown rider would complain about it, but he’d be forgiven. After ransacking a couple drawers, he found what he was looking for: the white robes meant for Impression.
When he returned to the outer weyr, Taisuke had only just clambered down from Tamorith, looking confused and bewildered.
“Take your clothes off.”
“What?”
“Take your clothes off,” Hiromitsu repeated, thrusting the robe at Taisuke, who stared at him like he was mad before tentatively tugging at his tunic. Hiromitsu assisted in yanking the boy’s shirt off when he didn’t comply fast enough. “The Hatching is going to happen any moment now. We need to get you to the Hatching grounds.”
Soon they had Taisuke changed out of his expensive breeches and tunic and into the robe, leaving his clothes in a pile on the floor. They’d have to remember them later, Hiromitsu thought as he urged Taisuke up onto Tamorith’s back again, taking flight again and heading straight to the Hatching Grounds. Into the tunnel they flew, nose to tail to nose with two other dragons before entering the hollowed mountain cavern. On the heated sands themselves, dragons were depositing candidates and Hiromitsu swooped down as soon as there was room.
He almost felt sorry for Taisuke, watching the boy as he slid off the dragon’s back. “Don’t be afraid,” he said, knowing that was such a silly thing to say, but wanting to leave this boy who’d been randomly thrust into his care with some parting words. “If you’re meant to be a rider, the dragon will find you.” With that, they left Taisuke on the sands with the rest of the candidates. Would the boy make it, he wondered. What had Tsubasa seen or sensed that had caused him to place Taisuke on the Grounds? Tamorith approved of the boy as well and while Hiromitsu couldn’t put his finger on anything striking about the boy, he seemed to have his wits about him and that was more than enough.
Tamorith dropped him off on a small alcove where Weyrleader Hideaki was standing, with Benden’s Weyrwoman Karina on one side and Tsubasa, who had appeared in the meantime, on the other.
“Tsubasa was just telling me about your pick,” the Weyrleader greeted with a smile. “I’m glad you made it in time.”
“He’s not my pick,” Hiromitsu said, turning to watch the Grounds with the rest of them.
Just then, one of the eggs rocked violently, a crack appearing down its side.
~
Taisuke stood on the Hatching Grounds and wondered how the hell he’d even gotten there.
He knew how, the events playing quite clearly through his mind as they’d just happened, but none of it quite felt real. A bronze rider stopping him in the street with strange questions, another one sweeping him halfway across the Northern Continent for a Hatching, and now he stood here, the sand warm against his feet.
The candidates fanned out in a loose semi-circle, with the girls standing especially close to the golden egg. It was a good sized clutch, with nearly three dozen eggs plus a golden queen egg and there were plenty of candidates to satisfy the lot.
Did Taisuke have a chance? Did he want a chance? He’d gone without thinking and now that he was here…
But before he could decide, one of the eggs rocked and then cracked. Several others began to rock as well and soon one of the dragons - a wet and pitiful blue - broke from its shell, sprawling onto the sands in disoriented need.
Other dragons joined it in its search. A bronze appeared, staggering towards a boy who looked to be just older than Taisuke himself and a look of reverence and adoration fell over the boy’s face almost immediately. The bronze dragon had been Impressed.
Soon other dragons found their riders, with eggs still hatching. Taisuke stood, wanting to step forward but unsure if it was a good idea. At first he’d thought the dragon hatchlings to be hideous, but as he watched a green scamper past him, intent on someone to his left, he couldn’t help but find their newborn eagerness endearing.
But then everything changed in an instant. The little green hatchling he’d be watching suddenly turned and lurched straight into him. Taisuke fell before he could catch himself, the sand hot on his bare skin, but it didn’t matter, for he found himself looking into the brilliant rainbow of the dragon’s eye and losing himself in that gaze.
She had been looking for him, the dragon told him as she leaned in to butt at his chest. She was so very hungry.
Inexplicable joy filled him as he reached up to scratch Niketh’s eye ridge, his lips curving into a smile of elation as she purred at the touch. Her name, along with her affection and her own adoration came to him like a sudden revelation. Of course he would feed her. He would do anything for her. Niketh was the loveliest creature he’d ever seen and he suddenly knew that this is what he’d wanted all along.
~
“Look,” Hideaki chuckled, nodding to the middle of the hatching fray. “A green.”
Hiromitsu glanced away from the golden egg, only to find Taisuke, the boy he’d practically dropped in the middle of the Hatching Grounds, kneeling in front of a small green, completely oblivious to his surroundings. Hiromitsu could see his expression, the lost look of wonder, and knew exactly how the boy felt. In his mind, Tamorith rumbled happily.
“I knew he’d be a good pick,” Tsubasa said, peering at the grounds. “Though I admit, I almost was hoping he’d be a bronze rider. There’s just something about him…”
“Mm,” Hideaki turned to watch as the queen’s egg began to hatch. “I guess we’ll just have to keep an eye on him.”
But Hiromitsu couldn’t tear himself away from the sight of Taisuke with his newly Impressed dragon, not even when the queen egg hatched and a new queen rider was made. There was something about the way Taisuke hadn’t even managed to move from where he knelt that made it hard to look away. He still didn’t quite know what made this boy so special, but somehow, in that moment, he could feel it too.
He would definitely have to keep an eye on the boy.
~
Taisuke would have spent an eternity on the hot sands, scratching Niketh’s eye ridges, but the new born beast was plaintive with her hunger and soon he realized that blue dragons and their riders were carefully gliding onto the Hatching Grounds. The crowds were emptying from the tiers of seats and the queen had already left to feed.
“I’m Fumito and this is Goth,” the first blue rider said as he introduced himself, smiling at them in a way that was warm and welcoming. He walked towards them, jauntily, and with an air of playfulness about him.
“And I’m Ryoichi. This is Zukath,“ the second blue rider said, also smiling as he waved. There was a bounce in his step as he approached and Taisuke couldn’t help but smile when Ryoichi beamed at him. “We’ll be helping you for the first few sevendays with your hatchlings. I’m sure we all know how hungry they are and they’re too young to catch their own prey easily.”
“Goth and the rest will help you feed your dragons for the first while,” Fumito said, picking up where Ryoichi left off without missing a beat. “We’ll also help train them to catch their own food once they’re a bit older. A dragon must eat well or there could be complications when flying between.” This last bit he said while looking at Taisuke. Taisuke blinked, surprised at being singled out. He found himself wondering if he was the only one who was Holdbred in the lot. Those who were Weyrbred were more attuned to dragons and tended to be picked before any candidates from the Holds.
Niketh wobbled along by Taisuke’s side, occasionally butting at his hand for attention. ‘I’m hungry,’ she reminded him and he smiled gently as they followed the riders, leaving the Hatching Grounds together, side by side.
~
“Hiromitsu.”
“Yes, Weyrleader?” Hiromitsu turned, smartly at attention as the man called out his name.
“I need Tsubasa in the council before the Mastercraftsmen leave,” Hideaki told him, accepting a message from a small blue fire lizard as he spoke. “If you could see if this new boy of yours needs any sort of arrangements made? Tsubasa said you two left without really consulting anyone but Koichi.”
On Tsubasa’s insistence, Hiromitsu thought, but didn’t say anything, not even to say that Taisuke’s was not exactly his. Instead he inclined his head. “Yes, Weyrleader.”
Tamorith’s pleased approval rippled through his mind as the dragon landed on the ledge to retrieve his rider. ‘Taisuke will be a good rider.’
“You sound so sure of that,” Hiromitsu replied wryly, swinging himself up onto the dragon’s back. “He’s not more than the hatchling he just Impressed.”
Tamorith merely repeated his statement as they took off, flying back out through the tunnel. The dragon also reminded Hiromitsu that Taisuke and his dragon were probably still in the feeding grounds and he, Hiromitsu, should probably take care of Wataru’s weyr before the man discovered the mess he’d made.
“Shit, I forgot,” Hiromitsu cursed and they wheeled about, heading towards the personal weyrs and dropping into Wataru’s. Luckily it seemed that Wataru was playing host still. There would be partying later in the evening, of course, but not all guests could stay for the feast. Dragonriders would be busy returning guests to their Holds and Crafthalls. Thus Wataru’s weyr was still empty when they landed, Taisuke’s clothes still piled on the floor.
Scooping them up, he shook them out and carefully folded them, tucking them aside before entering Wataru’s personal weyr, quickly putting order to the chaos he’d created earlier.
‘The hatchlings have been fed,’ Tamorith said as Hiromitsu joined him again.
“Let’s head to the barracks,” Hiromitsu said, mounting Tamorith. It’d take a least a month for the dragonets to learn how to fly and therefore be able to access the weyrs. Before that time, the new riders and dragons stayed in the ground level barracks together, in small replicas of the dragon weyrs, and even then they would not move to their weyrs until they were assigned to a fighting wing. Until that time, they would train with the Weyrlingmaster and his assistants, to learn how to fight against Thread - the deadly silver spores that fell like rain during a Pass. A dragon’s flame is what protected Holds and their precious herds and crops from Thread and so all dragons and their riders were trained to combat this threat.
Tamorith was gliding down to the barracks when he snorted and through him, Hiromitsu could feel something was amiss. The hatchlings were distressed. Where were Fumito and Ryoichi?
As they winged around the cliff that hid the barracks from view, Hiromitsu quickly realized what was making the hatchlings so upset. In the clearing in front of the barracks, there was a standoff between Hikaru, a boy Hiromitsu had known since the other’s birth and who had just Impressed a bronze dragon, and Taisuke, whose own green was wound protectively around Taisuke’s legs. Though he couldn’t quite tell what was going on with Taisuke’s back to him, Hikaru was red-faced and glaring.
But what gave Hiromitsu the most surprise was that when Hikaru took a step towards Taisuke, the little green, only half the size of Hikaru’s own bronze and barely the size of a large dog, screamed. She lashed her head out menacingly, wings spreading to give her the illusion of larger size.
It amazed Hiromitsu. He had never once seen a green show such defiance to a bronze dragon, not even newly hatched. Greens were the smallest and while they weren’t unwilling to pick on blues or scold browns, they usually were very submissive to the bronzes and the golden queens, as they were considered the ruling class among dragons. Hikaru’s bronze jerked back in surprise before hissing, moving to plant himself securely in front of his rider.
‘Hikaru doesn’t like that our Taisuke Impressed Niketh,’ Tamorith said, sounding rather cool. Hiromitsu frowned. Surely Hikaru would not have such an issue with Taisuke after a mere hour of acquaintance, what could possibly be wrong?
Niketh screamed again, more distressed this time, and Taisuke knelt, arms protectively around her. That was enough for Tamorith. He bellowed, folding his wings and dropping from where they’d been watching, landing with a thud near the small crowd of hatchlings and riders. Hiromitsu was used to such maneuvers but it still jarred his teeth and he had to pause for a moment before swinging down off Tamorith, laying a hand on the beast’s muzzle as he surveyed the scene before him. Taisuke looked pale and startled, slowly moving so he shielded Niketh from Hikaru and his bronze as well as Tamorith and Hiromitsu. Hikaru looked equally as startled, taking an involuntary step back as Hiromitsu looked his way.
“Would someone like to tell me what is going on?” Hiromitsu asked, clearly, firmly, and with a touch of anger.
~
The blue dragons had been swift in killing enough herdbeasts for all the hatchlings to eat. Niketh herself could only manage a hindquarter but she eagerly ripped into the flesh, voicing her pleasure to Taisuke. When all the dragonets had been fed, Fumito stepped up on Goth’s foreleg, looking the group over.
“Head to the barracks, your dragons are all tired after breaking shell and eating. After they’re asleep you may join the celebrations or begin moving your things to your new quarters.” With a smile and a jaunty salute, he mounted his dragon and soon they were aloft, Ryoichi and Zukath following soon after.
‘I am rather tired,’ Niketh said, bumping against his hand and warbling lazily. Taisuke stepped carefully along, following behind because everyone else seemed to know where they were going and what they were supposed to do. Instead of paying attention to where they were headed, he watched Niketh trundle next to him, her belly filled so it bulged and her eyelids fluttering drowsily.
“Outsiders really shouldn’t be allowed to Impress,” a boy said, farther up ahead on the path to the barracks. He was the boy Taisuke had seen impress the first bronze from the clutch, though Taisuke didn’t know his name at all. “They should just keep to their fire lizards if they want a pet.”
“Hikaru,” someone said, shocked, and Taisuke felt himself blush.
“Niketh isn’t a pet,” he said, stepping forward. There was no one else that remark could have been pointed at. Indeed, Hikaru turned to glare at him the moment he spoke. It was true, those born in Holds were not often picked for Impression. The closest Taisuke had ever been to a dragon before were the fire lizards - which were just like miniature dragons, really, though the largest were only the length of Taisuke’s arm - but Holdbred or not, he knew the purpose of a fighting, fire-breathing dragon.
“I know that,” the boy snapped, striding closer to Taisuke, bronze dragon at his side. “But you’re a Holder’s son, you don’t know anything. I bet you’ll turn tail the moment they start training us on Thread because you’re so scared. Holders are such cowards in the face of Thread. You’ll get your dragon killed before she’s even had a chance to live.”
There was a ripple of shocked murmurs among the hatchling crowd and Taisuke felt himself suddenly cold.
It was an insult, one that Taisuke could challenge him for, but he found himself too off-balance at the remark. Not because it was an insult to him, but that Hikaru had dared say that Taisuke himself would get Niketh, his precious Niketh, killed. He choked, too many words trying to come out at once.
This seemed to upset Niketh as she instantly wrapped her small body around his legs. Snaking her head around to face Hikaru, she let out a scream of anger.
“Niketh,” Taisuke said, startled, but trying to hold still so as not to fall over on her. “Niketh, it’s alright…”
Hikaru’s bronze did not like that one bit and planted himself firmly between Niketh and Hikaru, hissing angrily back at her.
‘I don’t like him,’ Niketh said, screaming again only this time she did not sound quite so fierce. But suddenly there was a shadow falling over them and a dragon dived out of the sky, landing with a thud nearby, so heavily that they were all had to close their eyes to avoid the dust that kicked up.
It was Tamorith and Hiromitsu, the bronze pair towering over the hatchling group in a way that was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Niketh was just as startled as the rest of them, and Taisuke was able to untangle himself, crouching protectively with his arms around her, trying to reassure her that all was right.
Though Taisuke knew from before that Hiromitsu wasn’t a towering figure in terms of physical stature, there was no denying the man’s powerful presence as he slid from his dragon’s shoulder, his movements speaking of strength and ability. It was the perfect image of a dragonrider, Tamorith’s wings still spread against the sunlight and Hiromitsu standing at his foreleg in flying furs and wher-hide.
However, Hiromitsu did not look pleased, not one bit.
“Would someone like to tell me what is going on?” the man asked, his voice tight.
There was silence for several long moments before a girl stepped forward. It was the new queen rider, her hand resting against her golden dragon’s shoulder.
“Sir, it was Hikaru. He insulted the Holder boy,” she said, not looking at anyone but Hiromitsu, but she was clearly nervous speaking up. “Said he’d get his dragon killed and that he was a coward.”
Hiromitsu’s expression darkened and he turned to Hikaru. “Speak for yourself, Hikaru. Is this true?”
The expression on Hikaru’s face was that of embarrassment and panic. “Sir…” But Hiromitsu narrowed his eyes, quelling Hikaru with a single look. “Yes, sir.”
“You are confined to your barracks until the Weyrlingmaster had time to deal with you,” Hiromitsu said harshly. “You are a dragonrider, you are no longer a child. You must learn how to act so you do not stain the reputation of the Weyr. Your actions are unacceptable and I do not want to hear of you ever speaking so thoughtlessly again.”
The words were biting and powerful. Even Taisuke flinched, though they were not aimed at him. Hikaru nodded almost frantically, turning to lead his dragon to one of the barracks as far away from Hiromitsu as possible.
Once he was gone, Hiromitsu became less rigid, a small smile forming on his lips as he gestured for the riders to continue on with their dragonets, before he turned to look at Taisuke.
“I actually came to see you. I apologize profusely for any insult offered.”
“Oh…” Taisuke shook his head quickly. Niketh had finally calmed, rubbing her head against his thigh. “No, it’s quite alright. I…” He wasn’t sure what to say, quite embarrassed about the whole matter. Hikaru’s words had shaken him, but that was hardly something Hiromitsu should apologize for.
The man smiled, nodding towards the nearest living quarters. “Is this yours?”
Blinking, Taisuke realized he’d forgotten about the barracks and choosing one for himself. But they were still empty and he had no real preference. “I think it is.”
Stepping inside, he found himself standing in what looked just like the weyr Hiromitsu had taken him to before the Hatching, only on the ground and a little more compact. There was a warmed stone bed for Niketh, which she instantly hobbled over to, curling up for sleep, and a bed for Taisuke. There was a wardrobe, desk, chair, and two openings in the back, curtained off. Taisuke guessed that one lead to the bathing room, and the other connected him to the inner network of Benden Weyr’s tunnels.
It was nothing he was used to, but he didn’t mind that. Niketh was happy, falling asleep almost instantly, and his quarters weren’t even unpleasant, bare though it was.
Hiromitsu came in behind him, smiling as he glanced towards the already sleeping Niketh. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Taisuke said, glancing at Niketh, a smile forming on his lips that he couldn’t have repressed even if he’d tried to. He was sure Hiromitsu understood. “She’s amazing.”
“The Weyrleader sent me here to see if there were any arrangements that needed to be made,” the man explained as he took a seat. Taisuke was struck by the understated confidence that seemed to emanate from the man, nothing of the boasting arrogance like the sons of the Lord Holders. Hiromitsu was quiet, calm, and contained. He truly was a bronze rider and Taisuke could guess he was a wingleader. He was so caught up in the thought that it took him a moment to remember that Hiromitsu had actually spoken.
“Oh.” Between the rush to the Weyr and impressing Niketh, Taisuke had forgotten about the reality of his life. He was suddenly no longer just Taisuke, he was Taisuke, rider of green Niketh. “I suppose I need to tell my parents or something.” He felt silly admitting that aloud to the bronze rider, but Hiromitsu just nodded.
“You’ll have to stay here for at least a Turn,” Hiromitsu said. “That’s how long it will take for Niketh to mature enough and for you two to undergo basic training. After that, you could transfer to the Fort Weyr, but dragons tend to prefer places they grew up in. We can have someone pass a message or a letter on to your family if you wish, and collect any of your personal items, or even bring them here to discuss things with you. A rider shouldn’t leave his dragon very often in the early stages,” he said and then chuckled when Taisuke made a dismayed noise.
“I wouldn’t want to,” Taisuke said, glancing at Niketh. How anyone could think of leaving their dragon, he wasn’t sure. The thought was a strange and dismaying one, even to himself who had only just Impressed Niketh. “What happens now, though? I mean, I know the basics since we’re taught our ballads and songs but what will Niketh and I be doing?”
Pursing his lips for a moment, Hiromitsu looked him over. “Greens don’t typically run long patrols, but they fight Thread, take part in watches, and run deliveries and anything else. It depends on who you’re assigned to when you join a wing. But more on that later,” he added, when Taisuke had to stifle an embarrassing yawn. He’d been paying attention, truly, but suddenly his eyes no longer wanted to stay open. “Normally I’d ask you to join the celebrations but you look like you could use some sleep. I’ll take my leave. We’ll have someone send a message to your family as soon as possible.”
“Thank you,” Taisuke said, before having to cover another yawn. He watched as Hiromitsu walked out the door before crawling over to where Niketh slept. He had a bed of his own, but he didn’t want to sleep there. Instead he snuggled against Niketh, half curled around her warm body, and fell into a deep sleep.
~
‘I think we should keep a close eye on them,” Tamorith said as soon as Hiromitsu joined him again.
“I know, I know,” Hiromitsu said, feeling as annoyed as he could be with his dragon. Tamorith, Tsubasa, even the Weyrleader all thought the same thing, but Hiromitsu was not so convinced. Taisuke seemed completely out of his element and almost timid in his demeanor, though Hiromitsu did appreciate how quick he was on the uptake and how he’d stayed calm through his first jump between. Only time would tell if Taisuke would become a decent dragonrider, let alone show the potential everyone seemed to see in him. “But right now we need to run some errands before they break out the wine.”
The dragon threw his head back and let out a sound that was somewhere between a rumbling couch and a roar. Tamorith was laughing at him. ‘Too late,’ the dragon said in amusement. ‘The Masterharper had them bring out the bottles already.’
“Dammit!”
~
[Two Turns later]
~
“Niketh!” Taisuke scolded, torn between affection and exasperation as he watched his dragon take down a second herdbeast, “You’re such a glutton, you ate yesterday!”
Pointedly ripping into her second kill with gusto, Niketh quickly settled in devouring and Taisuke sighed in amused dismay. Niketh’s growth had finally come to a halt - leaving her as a decent sized green dragon - but her appetite hadn’t diminished one bit since her last growth spurt.
“Are you done, pig?” Taisuke said, laughing when Niketh picked her way across the hunting grounds to him, butting affectionately at his chest, gently enough so as not to knock him off his feet.
‘Tamorith says Hiromitsu is looking for us,’ she said. ‘And I itch.’
“Oh?” Taisuke frowned, distractedly scratching at her eye ridges. Niketh itching meant it was time for an oiling to protect her hide against dry skin and subsequent cracking. But if the bronze rider was actually looking for him, it could be something important. All the dragons and riders from Taisuke and Niketh’s hatching were being assigned to their fighting wings now, to continue the last leg of their training. What if Taisuke was being assigned to Hiromitsu’s wing?
It wouldn’t be a bad deal. Taisuke had secretly been hoping to be on the Weyrleader’s wing or Tsubasa’s, but Hiromitsu’s wing was held in high regard and Hiromitsu held almost as much respect as the Weyrleader himself. Also, even though Taisuke would not say he knew Hiromitsu well, for all he’d been in Benden Weyr for two Turns now, he knew the man was much more easy-going than Jun or Subaru.
‘Itchy,’ Niketh complained.
“Right, I know,” Taisuke apologized. “Tell Tamorith that we’ll speak to them after we’re done? I need to oil you and you need a bath first.”
‘I don’t want a bath,’ the dragon said, sounding suddenly sulky. ‘I itch. Let’s go talk to Tamorith.’
“To the lake,” Taisuke said firmly, swinging up onto Niketh’s back, not leaving any room for his dragon to protest. She snorted in complaint but spread her wings, launching into the air to glide over to the lake.
~
“Where are they, Tamorith?” Hiromitsu asked as they perched on the Star Stones, overlooking the Weyr.
‘Niketh says Taisuke is making her take a bath,’ the dragon said, amused. ‘Should we wait for them?’
Hiromitsu chuckled, reaching down to smooth a hand over Tamorith’s shoulder. “You could do with a bath too. Let’s go meet them, shall we?”
It was a quick flight from the Star Stones to the lake, Tamorith settling down near where Niketh was wading into the water. “In you go,” Hiromitsu said, sliding off Tamorith’s back, sending his bronze into the water as well before he approached Taisuke.
“Evening,” he greeted, offering Taisuke a smile.
“Hello.” Taisuke gave him a small smile before turning back to the dragons in the water. “All the way, Niketh!” he called out, exasperated. “I need you clean.”
Niketh’s irritation washed over them both, prompting another smile from Taisuke. Hiromitsu laughed, slinging himself down on the ground.
“Niketh said you were looking for us. What did you want?”
The directness of the question would have surprised Hiromitsu two years ago, but no longer. When Hiromitsu had first met Taisuke, Taisuke had seemed hesitant and quiet. But that had all changed once the boy had adjusted to being in Benden Weyr and the transformation had been nothing short of stunning. Taisuke was outgoing, charming, quite talkative, determined, and extremely stubborn. Hiromitsu may not really know Taisuke very well on a personal level but nearly every dragon and rider on his wing knew Taisuke and liked him.
Yes, Hiromitsu had a reason for needing to see the green dragon and her rider. “I wanted to tell you we were adding you to our wing. If you’d like, of course.”
“It’d be an honor to fly with you,” Taisuke said, inclining his head respectfully. The answer pleased Hiromitsu.
“There’s an extra weyr on the same level as Wataru’s that can be yours and we’ll start integrating you into our formations in a few days as well.”
Taisuke hummed in agreement, nodding as he kept an eye at where Niketh was trying to make a grab at Tamorith’s tail, squealing every time he swished it out of her reach.
Tamorith was in high spirits, snorting in the water and rolling around, keeping his tail away from the younger dragon’s paws. It was an amusing sight, as Tamorith was easily twice the size of Niketh, made doubly so by how irate Niketh was when denied her target.
“She’s grown well,” Hiromitsu commented, idly dusting at his trousers. “I’m guessing it won’t be too long until she flies.”
In fact, it was almost surprising that Niketh, as a green dragon, hadn’t already risen to mate as every other green in her clutch had. The only female who hadn’t was the golden Yukith who had been Impressed by Aya at Niketh’s hatching.
But this did not seem to be the right thing to say as Taisuke’s expression immediately clouded over. “I don’t want her to fly.”
Hiromitsu frowned. “That’s like saying you don’t want winter to come. She will fly. She has to.”
“I don’t care,” Taisuke said waspishly, a complete turn-around from his good mood, though just as direct as before. “I don’t want her to.”
This was not how Hiromitsu had expected the conversation to go as his comment having been quite off-hand, but it was like he’d stepped on a land-mine and suddenly ignited Taisuke’s anger. “Why wouldn’t you want her to fly?”
Taisuke’s mouth was set in a mulish line. “There’s no one I want to fly her.”
Hiromitsu quirked an eyebrow questioningly. “What about Fumito’s Goth? Or Wataru’s Iideth, they’d be good dragons. Or any number of other blues and browns, even a bronze would probably try to fly her.”
“I don’t want Niketh to be some consolation prize for a bunch of dragons who’d rather fly a queen,” Taisuke snarled. “And don’t try to tell me it’s otherwise. I’ve seen the way everyone vies for Aya and Yukith’s attention, no matter what chance they might have.”
“That’s now how it works here,” Hiromitsu said, firmly. He was surprised, not used to a green rider being so outspoken against a bronze rider like himself nor at anyone against the idea of a dragon’s flight. But then he was reminded that Taisuke wasn’t Weyrbred, he’d been raised in a Hold where this sort of thing usually meant something rather different.
“I don’t care,” Taisuke said, abruptly pulling himself to his feet. “I want someone to fly Niketh because they want to fly her, not because they can’t fly something else.” With that, he stomped to the water’s edge. “Niketh! We need to get you dried off and oiled, come on.”
Snuffling in complaint, Niketh rolled off of Tamorith’s back, wading to where Taisuke was waiting. Hiromitsu watched as the boy launched himself onto the dragon’s back and then as dragon and rider flew away, heading to the Star Stones to dry off in the still warm sun.
Tamorith made his way back to the shore as well, at a more leisurely pace. ‘That went well.’
Frowning, Hiromitsu made no comment, simply pulling himself to his feet and joining his dragon. He hadn’t expected Taisuke to be so upset over Niketh’s rising to mate nor for him to react so explosively. “Let’s go,” he said, resting a hand on Tamorith’s foreleg. “Let’s see where Tsubasa is.”
~
‘You’re unhappy,’ Niketh said, craning her head around to nuzzle at Taisuke’s shoulder. Dried and well-oiled, the dragon had returned them both to their quarters. They’d soon be vacating them though, moving into a proper dragon weyr as they were now part of the fighting wings. At least, Taisuke thought so. He felt guilty, and also ashamed, for speaking out of turn to one of the wingleaders. Would Hiromitsu retract his offer?
“I’m sorry, dear,” he sighed, moving so Niketh’s nose rested against his chest, stroking at her muzzle. “I don’t mean to be. I just want someone good for you.” But the words sounded silly as they left his mouth.
‘Do you want someone good for me for my sake or for your own?’ Niketh inquired, though she sounded more amused than anything.
“For you, of course,” Taisuke said, shocked at the question. “I just…” he stopped talking, letting out a heavy sigh and resting his forehead against Niketh’s softened hide.
‘It does not bother me so much,’ Niketh warbled gently. ‘It shouldn’t bother you either, but I am sad when you are sad.’
Taisuke felt properly wretched, but he couldn’t help it. He had meant what he’d said to Hiromitsu, he did not want Niketh to be flown as a consolation. She did not mind it, but Taisuke thought she deserved more and it did not matter if men like Hiromitsu found him silly.
“Let’s go for a fly,” he said finally, ducking beneath her neck and swinging up on her back. This was enough distraction for Niketh and she did not ask any more questions.
~
“Chewed out by a green rider,” Shouta chuckled and Hiromitsu groaned into his tankard. Unable to find Tsubasa, Hiromitsu had headed into the dining hall, meeting up with his close friend. But the Dragonharper (for Shouta had trained at the grand Harperhall before he’d come to the Weyr and impressed his blue dragon Kotath) was more amused at his situation than anything else.
“You shouldn’t be so surprised he doesn’t like the idea,” Shouta added, carelessly plucking at his guitar as Hiromitsu drank. “He’s a Holder’s son and two Turns here isn’t going to just undo all that. Why do you think he keeps away when there are flights and such?”
“I know, but I would have thought…” Hiromitsu trailed off, frowning. “Hang on, are you saying he hasn’t…?”
“Haven’t you noticed?” Shouta asked, laughing louder when Hiromitsu let out a dismayed noise. “By the Egg, Hiromitsu, didn’t you know he’s turned down Fumito’s advances? Or anyone’s advances, really. He’s nice about it and all, but you can tell he’s still…”
“Oh damn,” Hiromitsu groaned, wanting to bang his head against the table for having not realized. “He’s a virgin.”
He should have realized, but he hadn’t even given a thought about it before. Why would he, it wasn’t like he went around speculating about the private matters of his own wing, let alone Weyrlings. And yet he would never have thought so, looking at Taisuke. Even without paying close attention, he knew well that Taisuke was friendly and open and flirtatious. And yet…
“Why do you think Niketh hasn’t flown,” Shouta chuckled, greatly enjoying Hiromitsu’s pain. “You should know better, really.
“Damn it all.”
“It’s not like what he wants is really so unreasonable,” Shouta said, suddenly serious. “Dragons can fly by who they want or who their riders want, you know that just as well as I. Anyway, that’s why Niketh hasn’t flown yet. He can’t stop her, but if he’s not ready, she’ll unconsciously put it off as long as possible.”
“Yes, but if he’s so against, that could be a disaster.” A rider would never normally fight a mating flight, but after seeing Taisuke’s adamancy, Hiromitsu wouldn’t count out the possibility, especially after finding out this last bit of news.
With the dragon mating flight and the bonds shared by Impression, sexual relationships were casual and often kept separate from romantic relationships, because female dragons were almost always flown by the male who could catch them the fastest. A rider didn’t really have a choice in the matter, though their wants could be influential on their dragon’s performance. One example of this was the relationship shared by Hideaki and Karina as Weyrleader and Weyrwoman, Hideaki’s bronze Hisath flying Karina’s Mireth - and thus keeping Hideaki as Weryleader - even when Tsubasa was Hideaki’s weyrmate. But the Holds were different, adhering to their own, more conservative traditions and Taisuke had been raised in a Hold for seventeen Turns. But Hiromitsu would have thought in the two Turns he’d lived in Benden Weyr, someone would have persuaded him to their bed, or that Taisuke would have tried something himself. Apparently not.
Grumbling, Hiromitsu refilled his tankard. “What if he tries to take her between or something?”
“Well…” Shouta drawled. “I guess as his wingleader you’d better warm your little green up to the idea.”
Hiromitsu snorted into his drink and said no more.
But as Tamorith took him back to their weyr, he couldn’t help but think about it. While he was not going to stoop so low to say he was interested because of a dragon’s welfare, he was not going to deny that he was interested. Taisuke was very attractive and Hiromitsu found him charming when he wasn’t being a stubborn mule.
(And besides, if Taisuke was more ready for Niketh’s flight, it was still a win-win scenario.)
~
Taisuke didn’t see Hiromitsu again for several days besides training, even after he moved into his new weyr. Instead, Wataru was with him, making sure he settled and his extra gear was provided. Though Wataru was his senior in both years and rank, they had become friends during Taisuke’s training and Taisuke found this new arrangement comfortable.
Training was exhausting. As a green rider pair - the most agile, but also the one with the least stamina - their fighting routines were grueling. Taisuke had been trained to fly against Thread with Niketh chewing firestone and with a flamethrower, but all the formations that they’d been drilled on were useless with Hiromitsu’s modified tactics. It would be almost a month before he would be allowed to officially fly with the wing.
But beyond training, which consisted of Hiromitsu rapping out orders and Taisuke and Niketh obeying as quickly as possible, he didn’t see much of the wingleader.
In fact, they did not have an actual conversation until nearly a sevenday after Taisuke joined the wing, when Tamorith settled down at the lakeshore near where Taisuke and Niketh were. Tamorith rumbled happily, splashing into the water after Niketh.
Their appearance caught Taisuke by surprise, but Niketh was so pleased at the company, talking a mile a minute as she chased Tamorith’s tail.
“He likes it,” Hiromitsu said by way of greeting. “Says she gives him a good backscratch.”
“I guess that’s one way to go about it,” Taisuke laughed, watching the two dragons as they played. He had tugged his boots off, sitting just close enough to the water’s edge that the ripples and waves from the dragons’ game washed over his feet.
Hiromitsu joined him after the dragons got deeper into the water, settling himself down on the grassy sandbank.
“Your training is coming along nicely,” Hiromitsu said, with a pleased note in his voice. “If you keep up this progress, we can shave a sevenday off and have your first Threadfall before the next Gathering.”
Taisuke fell back on the sand with a whoop. It’d be perfect if that would happen. His first Threadfall would be the final rite of passage, making him a tried and true dragonrider, and then there’d be a Gathering and he could return home. While he was essentially able to pop home whenever he wished, due to the nearly instantaneous travel between, his life at the Weyr and with Niketh was nothing short of chaotic and he’d only managed a handful of visits in the past half-Turn.
“We’ll do our best,” he promised, closing his eyes and letting the sun warm him.
Unseen, Hiromitsu chuckled. It was a pleasant sound, Taisuke found, and one he didn’t get to hear often. It reminded him of two years, of how Hiromitsu had been the one to sweep Taisuke away from him home, bringing him to Niketh’s Hatching and then rescuing him from an irate bronze rider.
He was further distracted by the water flicking up over his feet and onto his breeches. Niketh and Tamorith were in very high spirits, play-fighting and roaring. Taisuke was going to get soaked at this rate.
“Oh damn,” he heard Hiromitsu curse. “Tamorith, these boots just came from the Tanners.”
‘Well, you should have taken them off like Taisuke did,’ Tamorith said for the both, sounding completely unconcerned and Taisuke couldn’t help but laugh, even when Hiromitsu pretended to glower at him. Like dragon, like rider, and Hiromitsu seemed to be in just as good of a mood.
“I suppose I should take the blasted things off before they get ruined first day. I wanted to break them in,” the man explained as he stood to work on the laces of his brand new, knee-high boots. “They’ll be great when they’re seasoned, but for now they’re a pain in the ass.”
“Here,” Taisuke said, rolling onto his knees to lend a hand. The laces looked to be a mile long and the knots had gotten tangled. It took a few minutes of tugging on both of their parts before the laces were loosened enough for Hiromitsu to kick them off.
Hiromitsu was smiling broadly as he held a hand out for Taisuke. “Thanks,” he said, pulling Taisuke to his feet. “You know, I actually came to talk to you.”
“What?” Taisuke quirked an eyebrow in question. That Tamorith wanted to play again hadn’t seemed that unusual, but what would Hiromitsu want?
Smiling more gently, Hiromitsu kept hold of Taisuke’s hand, drawing him incredibly close. “I know this isn’t something you’re used to, Taisuke. But it doesn’t have to be as scary as you’re making it out to be.”
Everything seemed to freeze for a moment because Hiromitsu was suddenly far too close. Taisuke could feel the heat of his body, his breath ghosting over Taisuke’s cheek. Taisuke was vaguely aware of how Hiromitsu smelled leather and sweat and sandalwood and smoke, which was a surprisingly nice combination.
“I could show you,” Hiromitsu murmured. He still held Taisuke’s hand and it took another moment for Taisuke to realize just what exactly he was talking about.
Tensing for a moment, he reacted without even thinking.
He shoved Hiromitsu into the lake.
There was a look of surprise on the man’s face before he was pinwheeling backwards into the water, but Taisuke didn’t stop to savor the moment. “Niketh, let’s go,” he called out, striding back to where he’d left his own boots and Niketh’s riding harness. “Now.”
Niketh came quickly, but not without complaint, gurgling in the water with disappointment as she swam back to shore to offer Taisuke her shoulder. He was still fuming as they took off, heading to the Star Stones to dry off.
‘You’re upset,’ Niketh said, now properly concerned.
“It’s nothing,” Taisuke growled, trying to fight down a flush, nearly choking on embarrassment and anger.
‘What did he say?’ Niketh demanded, now alarmed as she landed on the rock ledge, craning her head around to look at him. ‘If he said anything wrong, I shall eat him.’
Letting out a small noise of dismay, Taisuke threw his arms around her muzzle, stroking at her hide. Not quite knowing what to say, he opened his mind completely to show her instead.
When they were done, Niketh seemed puzzled, though she continued to nose at him in concern. ‘I don’t quite understand. You didn’t shove Fumito into the lake, why did you do that to Hiromitsu?’
“It’s not the same thing!” Taisuke exclaimed, indignant. Fumito’s advances had felt much more like a joke, Taisuke hadn’t even given it a second thought when he’d refused the offer. But there hadn’t been much in the way of a joke with Hiromitsu. Taisuke could easily see the dark glint in his eyes as he’d spoken.
‘But doesn’t that mean he likes you?’ Niketh asked, still puzzled, and Taisuke had to remind himself that she was a young dragon, with young dragon logic, and that she didn’t much care for puzzling out his more complicated emotions.
“It’s not the same thing,” he repeated, sighing. He rested his head against her muzzle, closing his eyes. This seemed to be enough for Niketh, as she fell silent and continued to nuzzle him until she was dry and they were ready to return to their weyr.
♦♦♦
Part 2