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The air in the throne room of the palace was cold and the atmosphere unwelcoming. The only sound that could be heard were the steady and heavy footsteps of metal covered boots, the sound reverberated through the massive hall, designed to make you feel small and insignificant with its high ceiling as if trying to reach the heavens and the lavish and rich decorations of obnoxious jade statues and gold patterned walls and pillars.
Even the guards, standing as stiff as statues with their shining armor and sharp spears, seemed dead and artificial as if there were no humans of flesh and bone underneath.
The steady footsteps came to a halt before the raised royal throne and the thud of an armored knee against smooth marble tiles boomed throughout the room.
“I have been summoned my king.” Echoed a gravely voice.
“Knight Ren.” The voice atop the throne speaks. It’s user old and glum, head adorned with a heavy golden crown it’s weight seemingly dragging its user down with the heaviness of greed and arrogance.
“It is time.” The old king spoke, words laced with undeserved authority. “The beast has brought too much misery upon my subjects.”
The throne room was illuminated by the dim light coming from the tall windows on its sides, the weather outside glum and grey. However even that scarce light didn’t seem to be reflected upon the knights figure. His black abyssal armor sucking in every shred of life around it. If the knight was a lesser man he’d scoff at the cruel kings words, however he merely remained in a kneel, head bowed low, listening obediently.
“You my loyal knight Ren, are to go on a quest, to venture into the deepest depths of the uncharted world and-“ The king took a few steps towards the kneeling knight.
“Bring me the wicked dragons head.”
His words were laced with malice and his eyes full of hatred as he forced the knight to make eye contact, flaring hot ruby hidden behind a curtain dark red-tipped hair, meeting old hollow gray.
The knight held his fist to his heart in a salute. “Your wish is my command your majesty.”
***
As the abyssal knight walked the streets of the kingdom people hurriedly scurried away, frightened children running and spooked housewives closing their window sills. For everyone knew of his story and of his power and nobody dared to get in his way.
The weather had still been gray. The dark clouds seemingly making themselves at home in the heavens above the kingdom, looks like it will be yet another day of hours upon hours of rainfall. The knights gaze was set forward, his goal clear, for he couldn’t escape the sadness that overtook him being reminded of the poverty, famine and illness the people had to live with. The victims of a cruel king.
They must see him like a monster too. Like the embodiment of a scary bedtime story mothers tell their kids to spook them into good behavior. “His body a weapon and his eyes a blazing inferno.” The heartless kings loyal servant. The knights heart weeped at the thought but a reminder of his long life debt forced the feeling back into its cage.
As he approached the gates the guards hurriedly go to lower the drawbridge, already informed of his mission. Funny how the people think that the knight will solve all their problems. How slaying the dragon of uncharted lands will save them. Blissfully unaware that the real monster lives inside their castle.
***
“For years and years our kingdom has been suffering due to the wrath of a cruel beast! Toying with the lives of hundreds of people and innocent children. Bringing weather disasters and killing our crops with its wretched water! The people are starving!” Shouted the middle aged king at a room full of beaten and bruised knights. “And none of you are competent enough to even track it to its lair! No one has even found it yet!” He roared in rage.
“But sire we found nothing. What if there is no dragon out there? What if the gods have just cursed us into misery and a wild cat chase.” Sounded a desperate knight from the group.
“Nonsense!” Shouted the king. “How dare you question my word you incompetent swine! You low life! Get out of my sight! All of you!”
The kings loud screaming echoed through the castle walls but as he was left alone only the mumbles of a madman could be heard in the silent throne room.
“It’s out there, I know it is, I’ve seen it in my dreams.”
“I will find it one day and I will plaster its head over my throne in mockery of the gods!”
***
The knight swiftly made his way towards the end of charted lands, beyond lay only the unknown to man. His only companion his sword and his only protection his black armor. Without looking back towards the castle standing proud on top of the faraway hill, he stepped into the the thick green forest ahead.
Ren is sure he had been traveling for hours yet the forest never seemed to end. With each step into soft moss and over protruding tree roots he fell deeper into thought.
The king was a madman that was a given. The knight himself a witness to many of the kings episodes and his obsession with the dragon of water. The king claimed he saw it in his dreams and was convinced the beast was the cause of his kingdoms suffering. As far as description goes the king only provided a set of bright teal eyes, bright like the light of the moon, and well, water. Ren could work with that. Stay close to water and look for unnatural bright colors. As to the question of whether the knight himself believed the mad kings ramblings, that didn’t matter. If the king wished to see the dragon Ren will not stop traveling until he finds it for his debt is yet to be repaid. The abyssal knight not afraid of the passage of time. And if he’s still on this quest after the old king has died then it’s a win win situation really.
The thick flora around him seemed to become less and less cramped together and making way towards the end of the forest. It’s almost night now, the sky above wrapped in colors of yellow and warm orange. How many hours has it been, thought the knight. He shouldn’t ought to get lost in thought this much but at least the forest didn’t pose a threat for him. Any sign of life scurrying away upon sensing his presence.
By the time the knight reached the end of the forest it was night. The moon and the stars were bright, illuminating a seemingly endless tundra in front of him. No sign of hills or forests as far the eye could see. That’s going to be a long travel, the knight thought.
Ren was no madman himself… for now, he knew rest before such long journeys was needed. He found said rest upon a nearby tree trunk, leaning against it, his cracked sword his companion, gazing at the stars and falling into peaceful slumber.
***
The more miles Ren walked the more he started believing the kings words were all just delusions.
First, he had been traveling this flat expanse of land for hours now and still no sight of, well, anything.
Second, if said dragon did really exist why would it bother to tyrannize a kingdom so far away from its lair. It’s impossible for it to be living anywhere near, given the kingdom was nowhere near the sea or massive rivers and lakes, surrounded by thick forests instead.
The knight sighed. He had no issues going a few days without food and water but the empty landscape was unsettling and most importantly boring.
After another day of nonstop travel through the empty tundra, just as the sun had almost vanished from its celestial canvas, the knight saw the edge. The land was coming to a stop a mere few miles up ahead, there must be something underneath.
When the knight approached the edge the sky was already dark but the moonlight was bright enough to allow him to gaze upon the seemingly endless expanse of green forest, mountains and hills and most importantly big rivers and expanses of water below the edge of the tundra. The king’s previous crusades must have been down there at some point as well. Squinting his eyes further, although hard to see in darkness, the valley below had actually an end and at its end was the sea. All the rivers in the end lead into the vast sea. A perfect spot for a dragon of water to reside, if such a creature exists.
Soft tremors of the earth underneath his feet brought him back from his thoughts and the knights posture stiffened in alertness. He stood tall and still, long red tipped dark hair swayed softly in the night breeze, the only sound accompanying him his own breathing.
The tremors came to a stop.
The abyssal knight was allowed one small turn of his head over his shoulder before the monster surged from the dirt below at lighting speed, screeching and aiming its mouth full of rows of teeth towards him.
One slice of his sword was all it took.
The knight calmly wiped the dark blood off his sword on his armored arm and made his way downhill towards the green valley.
The worm-like creature lays dead behind, sliced neatly in two pieces it’s dark gooey blood glistening under the moonlight. The endless tundra had been suspicious since the beginning. And it’s no feeble guess that, that thing was the reason all of the kings past crusades of knights came back missing more than half its men.
***
The knight arrived at the green valley when the moon was high in the sky, having to climb down for several parts of the trip and having been without water the entire day Ren decided to take a break. Finding a source of water in this forest full of bioluminescent bugs and plants that seemed to glow upon contact had been no trouble, hell were he a romantic he would have called this place magical, an awaiting small pond nearby had been his solace. The knight sat down upon the soft moss and once again leaned against a tree trunk with his hands crossed over his chest to rest for the remainder of the night.
Ren most often tended to wake up with the rise of the sun, his old inner clock had always been stubborn that way. He washed his face and drank some more water from the small pond and made his way deeper into the forest. This time he carefully followed the trail of the water of the pond which soon lead him towards one of the rivers. The roar of the water was loud in this area as he carefully mapped out the landscape in his head and started looking for more “habitable” places.
A part of being the hunter was trying to get inside the head of your prey, to try to think how they would think. In Ren’s case the prey might not even be real and he’s just making a fool of himself or the dragon is real and also very powerful in which case the knight has to be alert every single second lest he encounter anymore unwelcome surprises. Now the most logical way of thinking here would be that the dragon resides in still waters or anywhere near water in which case exploring the lakes would be the best option. However seeing as this valley is connected to the sea it could also be a sea dragon in which case Ren would have to lure it out. He hoped that wasn’t the case.
The knight saw no signs of land beyond the sea so this is where the king’s crusades must have reached a dead end unless they traveled in different directions away from this valley.
The knight was a man with a goal and he shall see it through. He was the hunter and he shall slay his prey.
***
It has been days.
Days of searching and still no sign of any sort of beast. Not even any monsters like the dirt worm he killed in the endless tundra.
The knight must have searched around most of the lakes and rivers in the valley, he even went near the beach at one point. Resting during the nights, bathing himself whenever necessary, killing rabbits or squirrels for food when hungry. However the knight had no trouble with a lengthy chase, he preferred his pray competent and smart. If there even was any prey, he reminded himself.
All known kingdoms of the land had myths and legends of dragons. All of them had some kind of tale they’d tell their children as bedtime stories or recite over warm beer at the pubs. However none of them had any recorded proof of dragons actually existing and none had ever been under the impression that a dragon is terrorizing their city. Ren had done his fare share of research after he started speculating the king will send him away, yet the case of their kingdom seemed to be unique, if it’s in the form of a mad king or a curse from the gods or an actual dragon Ren didn’t dare to assume.
It’s late afternoon and he’s traveling through the stony borders of one of the lakes again, the sounds under his boots clinking pebbles instead of sand. This had been one of the deepest lakes according to Ren’s interpretation. The water in the middle dark and ominous.
The knight decides to sit down. A small break never hurt anyone. He rests his arms over his knees and stares at the water.
What would a dragon even look like? He wonders. In books they are depicted and described as huge serpents with wings and some even have the ability to control the elements. Some folk even tend to describe them as magnificent and majestic. Ren hums. He always found this bizarre fascination people have with big beasts silly, since they often tend to admire predators who are way above them on the food chain. Predators who would not hesitate to kill.
There was nothing majestic about dragons.
They were wild monsters, natures cruel designs. The knight chuckles at that. It takes a monster to hunt a monster.
The still waters of the lake offered him some inner peace from his current thoughts, beautifully blue, reflecting the sky and the clouds above.
However the mirror image of the sky didn’t last for long as big bubbles started appearing and popping near the middle of the vast lake.
That was about the only warning the knight got.
***
He remembers it being long and seemingly made out of pure water. Flying and curling high up in the sky, each droplet and scale reflecting the sunlight.
And oh it truly was magnificent. What a fool can a man be to assume otherwise…
Ren’s body reacts faster than his mind. Getting up at lighting speed summoning his sword and throwing it as if it were a spear right into the flying dragon. The beast let out a powerful roar of agony as it seems the blade had pierced its skin despite seemingly being made out of pure water.
Then it was flying away. Deeper into the valley.
The knight ran after it. Following it through the thick trees below while the beast flew above. The dragon got out of his sight at some point however a good swordsman always knows where to find his blade.
The sight he was greeted with once he arrived at the place the dragon seemingly crashed was mesmerizing yet pitiful.
Near the river bank, hidden under the large trees of the forest lay the beast writhing in pain trying desperately to get back in the sky. The knight took in more details of its large body as he approached with steady and confident steps. It had no wings yet a long body with four legs and a mane running down it’s back up to the tip of its tail. Large deer-like horns adorned its head and its body really looked like it was made of water. Yet the knights blade driven deep into its side suggested otherwise. The wound was bleeding, red blood.
So it was real after all…
The closer the hunter got the more flailed and cried the beast in agony, trying to escape. High pitched, melodic cries reached his ears as if the beast was singing a sad melody. Ren summoned his sword, it dislodged itself from the dragons long body and flew back to his hand. The dragon roared in pain.
In the midst of the pitiful scene Ren caught a glimpse of the dragons eyes. Light teal color, shining bright like the light of the moon…just like the king had described. Red markings running along the underside. But instead of pure fury, like the knight expected to see, those eyes were full of fear and confusion.
Such a powerful predator and it was scared…
It managed to actually run a few more meters away from the abyssal knight, it’s blood dirtying the stones adorning the river bank. But the knight was faster.
His heavy black metal boots echoed amongst the dragons cries and as he grabbed one of the dragons horns, placing his knee atop the beasts long muzzle to hold it down so it cannot open its maw to bite him, the dragon was breathing erratically, panicked.
“For a monster of your power you sure go down easy.” The knight said in a calm tone as if trying to soothe the beast.
He raised his sword.
“I will put you out of your misery.”
But before he could swing his blade to cut through the beasts neck in one swift motion it’s body started rapidly falling apart, disintegrating.
It turned into droplets of water some of which evaporated and some of which flowed back into the river. The sudden onslaught of water blurred the knights vision. But he was still holding onto the dragons horn which significantly reduced in thickness.
No…it can’t be gone.
He blinked rapidly to get the water out of his eyes and the sight he was greeted with right about stole all the air out of his lungs.
Underneath him was a… human? A human with the dragons horns he’s still holding and the dragons tail.
The knight let go of the horn in utter shock with a gasp and his mouth agape starring wide eyed at the creature beneath him. He puts a safe amount of distance between them to asses the situation.
The creature is writhing in pain and sniffling like the dragon had, holding a hand to its bleeding side where a wide and deep gash rests.
“P-please don’t kill me.” It sobs looking at the knight with bright terrified, teary eyes. Light teal eyes adorned by red markings underneath…
It’s face is…
The most beautiful thing Ren has ever seen, angelic and young. Soft yet elegant and sharp features twisted in agony, pale complexion and long black teal tipped hair with a bright teal under-layer. Ren also noted a pair of inhuman and spiked fae-like ears.
The knight stares in bewilderment. The creatures body is lean, seemingly male, very naked and wet with the water from earlier, oh- it might not be male since there’s a lack of certain male bits in the lower area, instead there are female genitalia?
The man? Woman? Dragon? Curles up on itself in fear as it looks up at the knight.
“What…” the knights words get stuck in his throat. He has never encountered something like this before. Fantastic beats and magical creatures can be fairly common in certain areas of the world Ren has traveled to but this…
“What are you?” He tries to approach yet is halted by the terrified look on the creatures face. It tried to back away from him only to whine in pain as more blood oozed out of its side.
“D-don’t kill me i didn’t do anything!” It cries, it’s voice is male, aside from the genitalia all signs of its body point to male so it must be a male of its species.
Ren has been a murderer, a criminal, a hunter and a killer for as far as he can remember however he has never been faced with a situation so… difficult. He was told to bring the head of the dragon. And while he did catch the dragon he can in no good conscience kill whatever this- he is. For gods sake it looks like it was handcrafted by the gods themselves. And for it to be writhing in pain and terror because of Ren’s doing feels like an offense of the highest caliber.
The knight sheathes his deadly cracked sword and sighs.
“I will not kill you.”
“Why did you hurt me?” the person asks shakily after a while of heavy breathing. Expression utterly confused and sad.
“I am a knight. I was sent on a quest here from my king to behead the dragon who had been terrorizing his kingdom and deliver the head to him.”
The dragon person understandably didn’t react well to that. He tried to get up and run with an expression of terror only to slip in his own blood and fall back to the stone surface, poor thing was still bleeding profusely, the bright tuffs of fur running along the spine of his tail had been drenched in blood too, it’s a wonder he hasn’t passed out by now.
“Calm down, I didn’t know you were… whatever you are.” The knight said in a tone as calm as possible.
It didn’t really help. The dragon person kept trying to crawl away since he couldn’t walk, scraping his pale skin against the rocks.
Ren sighed. “Stop that you’re only hurting yourself.” He kneeled next to him to try and help him up but felt a strong blast of water being thrown into his face instead, enough to push him back and stagger in his steps.
“I didn’t do anything I swear! I never left this alley! Please don’t!” The dragon person cried. Gods, he must be getting delirious from the bloodloss. Ren doubted the dragon person would actually faint anytime soon, since his constitution seemed to be stronger than that of a regular human, and sighed as he considered his options.
He couldn’t knock him out with force that’d just make things worse, he could restrain him or threaten him to stay still. The only sure thing is that he couldn’t let him die now. The guilt would eat him alive.
With a sigh Ren got up and picked up the crying dragon boy from the ground into a bridal carry. The boy flailed his weak limbs around including his tail, he even tried to stab him in the neck with his horns but all his attempts were weak and unsuccessful due to lack of strength. Thankfully his screaming and crying eventually died down into weak sobs and tremors as he was pressed against the knights chest. Ren could tell he was still terrified, he was shaking, eyes wide and panicked and silent tears ran down his cheeks.
The knights heart tugged at his chest. He wasn’t particularly pleased at being the reason of this heavenly creatures distress… He may be a murderer but he wasn’t ignorant enough to tamper with completely unknown matters such as this.
***
There was a spot nearby that Ren often rested in, a soft expanse of thick moss between large tree roots right next to a small running pond of water. He can clean up and bandage the dragon boy up there.
The whole walk the dragon boys shaking didn’t stop but it looked like he had lost all the strength in his limbs. His species must be quite resilient, a human would have passed out by now from those injuries or even died.
Once they arrived the knight gently placed the boy on the soft grass next to the small running stream of water, he laid him against his chest and took of his gloves to begin scooping up crystal clear water. The knight was incredibly gentle and careful while washing away the blood near the deep stab wound with his scarred and callused hands, the dragon boy shivered and twitched nonetheless, both due to the pain the cold temperature of the water on his naked skin. Once the wound was relatively clean from excess dried blood Ren inspected it carefully. It had been quite deep and would most likely require stitches, unless the dragon had some sort of fast regenerative abilities.
“Does you species heal fast?” The knight asked gently and quietly.
The boy had still been conscious although probably delirious from earlier events, however he still tilted his head towards the sound of Ren’s voice in acknowledgment.
“The wound is deep and will require stitches if your body is unable to close it by itself.” Ren clarified. “Should I leave it or stitch it?”
The boy squirmed in his grasp and whispered. “Leave it” his beautiful melodic voice raspy and tired.
“Alright” Ren hummed with a nod. He maneuvered the boys putty limbs so he can access one of the small bags around his belt with the medical supplies. While Ren always traveled lightly, bandages, cleansing alcohol and various other medical supplies are things he always took with him. For he knew if he were to be stuck bloodied and injured in the wilderness the only one who will have to take care of him will be himself.
“I have to clean your wound” he murmured. “It will sting a lot.” While he still has very little to no idea how the dragons body will deal with the wound it never hurt to be cautious of infections.
“Bite onto this.” The knight said offering his bundled up leather glove to the boy who tried to shake his head in refusal but Ren persisted. “It’s so you don’t bite your tongue.” After some hesitation and more writhing the dragon listened and accepted the leather into his mouth biting into it with sharp canines.
Unfortunately the boy didn’t get any warning before the alcohol came into contact with his wound, scorching hot pain enveloping his side and tears ran down his cheeks as his screams were muffled by the glove.
“There you go that was it.” Murmured the knight soothingly into his elf like ear as he screwed the cap back on the small bottle and placed it away. The wounded creature was lightly sniffling and irritated small growls rose from his throat but he was still limp in Ren’s hold. The knight then applied a healing balm he had purchased before his journey. The mixture of herbs smelled putrid and the dragons nose scrunched in disgust but from Ren’s experience this concoction had been the most effective on soothing pain and healing.
As the knight was almost done wrapping the dragons side in white bandages to prevent infection and further bleeding he slowly took his glove out of the boys mouth, the leather fabric now pierced through by sharp canines that left small holes behind.
To the knights utter bewilderment the dragon boy had still been conscious even after the scorching pain of the disinfectant. Conscious yet lethargic and shivering. Ren still had to clean the rest of his body before placing him to lay down.
Scooping up more of the cold water the knight began washing the rest of the dried blood off of the boys body. Distantly noting how soft and smooth his hairless skin had been, there were even faint smooth patches of scales adorning parts of his body like the shoulders and even his tear stained cheeks. After Ren wan done with his dirty limbs and hair he moved onto cleaning the tuft of fur along the dragons tail. It felt foreign touching the long serpentine appendage, the texture of the scales smooth and snake-like however bigger in size. What an interesting creature, no legends or myths to Ren’s knowledge spoke of dragons that can transform into partial humans.
As the knight finished washing the boy it had become night and he noticed the dragon had started dozing off a bit, understandably exhausted, his beautiful bright teal eyes closing ever so slowly yet trying to remain aware and alert. Ren sighed. He had brought no camping equipment with him so he’d have to cover the naked dragon boy with his own clothes. He didn’t know if the dragon had some sort of nest somewhere but it was definitely too late for that today, the sky dark and adorned with stars and the illumination of the thick forest scarce, plus the boy definitely didn’t have enough strength to return to it.
Thus Ren began taking off the outer layer of his armor, consisting of a thick coat adorned with black and gold patterns and armory. While it might not be ideal as a cushion the inside of the coat had been embroidered with a velvet soft red fabric. “This will have to do” he mumbled to himself as he proceeded to carefully wrap the boy up in his coat. The dragons lithe and smaller body practically swam in the fabric only horns and his long tail peaking through, it was quite a cute sight, he thought as he placed the boy on the soft moss under the tree roots, angling his body into a comfortable position on his uninjured side.
The knight sat guard nearby, watching over the magical creature for the majority of the night. To think that he was going to slice this beautiful beings head clean off just hours ago. Ren sighed. His quest is still pending. This is the dragon the king wishes to see dead. While Ren was convinced this mere young boy isn’t the thing terrorizing and plaguing the kings land with misfortune and waters he doubted if he brought him back to the king the cruel ruler will change his mind and spare him. The knight clenched his jaw at the thought of what the royal folk at the palace will most likely do to this celestial being once they lay their filthy hands on him. Ren was no saint, his own hands were dirtied and sullied by the blood of both innocent and guilty however he knew better than to interfere with divinity. He knew to choose his battles wisely, even thought he might already be a cursed man, killing this creature would only bring him even more misfortune and unimaginable guilt.
The knight watched the peaceful rise and fall of the bundle of fabric the boy slept in, lulling even himself into the depths of sleep. One last look towards the direction of the kingdom and a deep sigh.
The dilemma of how he should proceed forward.
Ren fell asleep.
***
It’s so warm and comfortable here. It’s like his whole body was hidden under thick blankets just like he used to do when he was younger during a snowfall. Bundling himself up into the warm cocoon of his nest.
But this blanket didn’t smell like his nest.
Dan Heng froze. His senses picked up an unfamiliar scent, the smell of the forest waking up from its slumber, birds chirping, a small stream of water nearby.
The faint pain in his side hit him last.
So it wasn’t a dream. Dan Heng tried to sit up and look around, but winced with a hiss at the nausea and the sting of the stab wound.
“Good morning.”
There was that voice again. He’s still here. The man that tried to kill him. Dan Heng felt himself panicking again.
“Don’t make any sudden movements, it’ll irritate your wound.”
The man, the knight spoke calmly. Dan Heng peered up from under the collar? of the thing he was wrapped in and noticed the knight was leaning against a nearby tree trunk, watching the steady steam of water. He was missing the outer layer of his clothes so that must be what Dan heng is wrapped in? The inner red lining of the coat smelled of metal, blood, fresh rain and his nose picked up a very distant and faint scent of, lilies?
The man didn’t make any movement to attack him again so Dan heng allowed himself to relax and look around. His guard remained raised since the knights scary black sword was still sheathed in the holder of the knights belt.
The knight noticed him looking at the weapon and to Dan Heng’s utter surprise he dislodged the sheathed blade from his belt and rested it upon a tree as a sign of good intention. Dan Heng doubted that scary man’s intentions were anywhere near good but for now he made no suspicious movements.
The man got up, his burly and tall stature making Dan Heng flinch away instinctively. “Would you like me to bring you closer to the water so you can drink?” The knight asked, looking at him with those terrifying ruby red eyes.
Dan Heng wanted to refuse but his parched throat and weak limbs told him he had no choice. He answered with a small nod.
The knight made his way to the dragon and gently picked him up cradling him in a bridal carry again while still wrapped in his warm coat. Dan Heng got flashbacks of last night, while he was delirious and half conscious from the bloodloss and pain he didn’t miss the gentle way his attacker took care of him and cleaned him which only confused him even more considering the man was going to slice his head off just moments before.
This whole situation had just been so confusing.
The knight said he was sent on a mission from his king to kill Dan Heng. But why? He hasn’t left this valley since the minute he was dropped off here only a few months after hatching. He hasn’t hurt anybody. He hasn’t even met or encountered any humans… And the way the sword had stabbed him hurt more than anything he had ever felt, the burning liquid the knight put on his wound later hurt even more. At least it doesn’t hurt that much anymore, that stinky balm the knight applied probably helped quite a bit.
Dan Heng was gently deposited on the soft grass next to the pond, he could still see stains of his own blood here and there but decided to ignore it. The knight laid him against him for support so Dan Heng could drink. The dragon didn’t miss the amused look on the knights face as he watched as Dan Heng instead of leaning down to cup water between his hands brought crystal clear globes from down the pond into his mouth. The stab wound had greatly affected his powers and body strength, but small things like these always came naturally. Dan Heng felt instant relief as he swallowed down the refreshing water, his throat feeling less dry.
He tried to squirm away from the knights steady hold on him as he could support himself on his hands now and was met with those eyes again. Behind the neutral gaze the man held, Dan Heng could distinguish an emotion he often read humans feel intensely, anger. The knights eyes were angry while the rest of his body language and expression seemed calm and docile for now.
The knight tilted his head. “Do you have a name?” He asked.
Dan Heng was taken aback by that question. He hasn’t spoken to anyone in so long, but the books he read on good etiquette all said that introductions between humans were important.
“Dan Heng.” He finally replied.
The knight hummed. “Alright Dan Heng, how about this, I will carry you back to your house or nest or wherever you reside, then I will be on my merry way away from here and I will not bother you again nor disclose your existence to anyone. How does that sound?”
In all honesty Dan Heng stopped listening the moment he heard his own name from the human man’s lips. It felt surreal. No one has talked to him before… The man was still waiting for a response however the dragon only gaped at him with wide eyes.
The knight sighed in defeat. “Can you understand me?”
Dan Heng nodded.
“Would you tell me where you live so I can drop you off there? You can’t travel in this state.” The man pointed at the boys bandaged body still wrapped up in his coat.
The knight had a point and as Dan Heng processed his words he didn’t know if letting this human know where he lived was a good idea. What if he left and came back with reinforcements to capture him and lock him up in human prison or even kill him?
His inner dilemma must have been visible on his face as the knight sighed again and got up, picking up his sword in the process and attaching it back to his belt. Dan Heng has to crook his neck up to keep looking at the tall man.
“Look, if you’re wondering whether my intentions are good or bad, don’t bother. I’d rather forget this ever happened however I still owe you for injuring you, so let me do you one last service before I depart. You won’t see me again after that, you have my word.”
Dan Heng looked away, contemplative. He nodded after a while. “Mm alright.”
The knight approached him, Dan Heng flinched in alert at first but let himself calm down as the knight smoothly picked him up into a bridal carry. Dan Heng clutched onto the huge coat covering him.
“Where to?”
“Umm…” Dan Heng hesitated, while he knew this valley very well, most of his time outside his nest was spent flying or inside water, they were in the forest right now and Dan Heng doesn’t remember which path they came from.
“Would it help if we stepped out of the forest?” The knight understandably asked.
The dragon nodded. And thus the knight began walking.
***
Ren didn’t expect the trip to be so complicated. Not because of the landscape no, the dragon boy Dan Heng, had given him pretty clear directions once they got out of the thick forest. It had been complicated for a whole other reason.
“Can you say my name again?” The boy asked, he had been looking up at Ren throughout the whole walk, giving him something the knight would only dare describe as puppy eyes… All the fear and terror from yesterday was gone replaced with almost childish wonder and curiosity. At least he wasn’t trying to stab him with his horns anymore, instead laying docile and calm in his arms.
Ren looked down at the curious dragon in minor confusion but complied anyway. “Dan Heng.”
The dragon’s expression didn’t seem to change that much upon having his request fulfilled however the slight sparkle in his bright, beautiful teal eyes and the wag of his tail that had been hanging limply till now betrayed his feelings. Just how long has it been since this boy had interacted with a human? Had he ever even seen a human? His speech and cognition had clearly been those of a normal functioning human not that of an animal. He must have been alone for years then, that means there’s no one else of his species here.
“Do you have a name too?” Asked the now even more curious dragon, a stark contrast to how terrified he had been just last night. How odd.
“Ren.” The knight calmly replied.
“Ren.” Dan Heng mumbled to himself. “Is that a real name?” He looked up expectantly.
The knight couldn’t help the slight upward tug of his lip at the question. He should have expected the dragon would be more intelligent than he first assumed.
“No it is a nickname.”
“Then what is your name?” Dan Heng asked tilting his head to the side in confusion. His elf-like ears slightly twitching.
“My real name is long buried in my past. It does not belong to me anymore.”
“Why?”
“You’re a talkative one aren’t you? Aren’t you happy with just Ren?” The knight raised his brow.
“I am, but I read that names are really important to humans, that names have power like magic spells. Why wouldn’t you want your name?”
The knight chuckled. “Easy on the interrogation princess. Don't bother getting too attached, we have a deal remember?”
The dragon looked away and mumbled his tail swished from side to side. “I’m not a princess.”
That comment did keep the dragon boy quiet for a while. The knight diligently followed the directions he was given. To his surprise Dan Heng actually lived quite far away from the lake he found him in. All the way in the inner caves of the highest mountain of the valley. When at the foot of the mountain ren observed the area. A waterfall ran down the rocky sides of the mountain into yet another lake although a smaller one hidden away by the tall trees of the forest.
When Ren asked the question of “how do we proceed” the dragons answer was “oh um I usually fly through the waterfall…” Ren couldn’t do much with that.
Eventually he made the boy tell him another way to get inside the apparently complex cave system behind the waterfall. As the pair made their way through the moist narrow path leading to Dan Heng’s nest Ren truly wondered if the boy was just pulling his leg considering he told him to turn right at least five times now. When confronted the dragon just pouted and said “I told you I usually fly in.” Not to mention it was dark, the only light coming from the slight glow of Dan Heng’s horns and tail and the bioluminescent moss on the walls.
After a while they finally arrived in the cave right behind the waterfall. Ren was pretty much expecting an old pile of leaves inside a wet and noisy cave but he sure wasn’t expecting whatever this is.
The size of the cave itself wasn’t bigger than an average room inside a manor of a nobleman. Consisting of three stone walls and the back of the running waterfall and despite the space being fairly closed off, the only entrance being the one they came out of, the air didn’t feel stuffy or too warm, it was the perfect room temperature. Different kinds of bioluminescent flora painted the walls and ceiling, bushes and big lotus flowers the likes of which the knight has not seen before.
There also seemed to be actual furniture in the form of bookshelves and desks all of which were full of books, there were so many books messily thrown around or arranged in piles, all in different stages of old or damaged, and various other trinkets, scrolls and lamps. That’d explain the dragon’s intelligence and knowledge of the human world, he thought. The crown jewel of the cave was the large expanse of a large number of colorful blankets, pillows and various silks arranged neatly yet chaotically in a circle. That must be the nest, however the strangest part about it is that the nest itself was floating? Above a round pond of bioluminescent water?
Upon further inspection the water in this place didn’t seem to follow the laws of nature at all. For starters the raging waterfall was silent, a mere white noise. No surface was wet and the blankets atop the pond were neither as if there was glass separating them.
“Impressive.” The knight said in amusement, making his way towards the floating nest. Understandably hesitant to step in the glowing water.
“You can step into it, you won’t get wet.” The dragon boy assured him.
Thus Ren laid Dan Heng gently atop the nearest side of the nest, the boy immediately reaching for a pillow to hug for comfort. The knight noted that the water under his feet did seem to ripple and sway smoothly, but never dragging him under the seemingly bottomless magical pond.
“I need to change your bandages and check your wound before I go.”
Dan Heng gave him a small nod, yet clearly not happy about it. “Are you going to use that burning liquid again?”
“Alcohol, a disinfectant, and no there’s no need.”
Ren kneeled down on the water and reached for his pocket medical kit, mindful not to get too close to the dragons nest lest he be weary of others touching it.
“Come here.” He ordered gently, while pulling out a small knife, Dan Heng flinched at the knife so Ren clarified. “That’s to cut your old bandages.”
Ren almost felt a sense of pride at how easily the dragon boy bent to his will, slotting himself against his chest like the first time he tended his wound, still covered in the knights long coat. Now that he was clean and close Ren could make out bits of his scent. God’s he even smelled like flowers… fresh blooming lotus flowers.
Ren slid the shoulders of the coat down to expose Dan Heng’s upper body and started removing the bandages. And rest assured he did have fast regenerative abilities. What a wonder. Where a deep stab wound was yesterday, now there was merely a deep scratch, already becoming a scar at the ends.
“You do heal fast, that’s good.” Mumbled Ren. “Would you clean this patch of skin with water so I can apply new bandages?” He asked.
Dan Heng nodded and in the next moment he was holding a glob of water, running it around the wound like a sponge, scraping the dried leftover soothing balm and blood while slightly wincing.
As Ren was finishing up wrapping the bandages around the dragons midsection after applying some more soothing balm despite Dan Heng’s nose disapproving, he idly eyed the impressive collection of books around the cave.
“Did you read all of those?”
“Not yet, some are in languages I haven’t learned yet.” Replied Dan Heng.
The knight hummed.
“Are you going to leave now?” Asked the dragon, his voice small, hesitant.
“Yes. That had been the deal hadn’t it?” The knight replied as he stood up.
“But I want to talk to you more.” Dan Heng protested, trying to follow him but failing due to weakened limbs and clumsily falling on top of a pillow.
“Dan Heng. Your curiosity has clouded your better judgment, after all I am the one who injured you am I not? Trust me it is best I leave now.” Ren gestured at his bandaged side making a point.
The dragon huffed in annoyance. “I remember you saying your king ordered you to bring my head to him. Your mission is incomplete you can’t go back.” He had grown agitated as his tail thumped against the blankets. How curious. Perhaps he really was scrambling to get the slightest bit of human interaction.
“What are you saying?” The knight inquired, curious as to what the dragon will come up with.
“I’m saying that you can’t go back to your kingdom, I don’t know much about kings but I read in books that usually they are very cruel and unforgiving. S-so you can’t go back. Stay?”
Ren chuckled, amused. “Did you read of those kings in fairytale books, princess?”
“W-well maybe, but you know I have a point.” Dan Heng pouted, looking away.
“Has it not occurred to you that I could simply travel elsewhere?”
At that the dragon boy went quiet, defeated. He fiddled with the sleeves of Ren’s coat in embarrassment.
“I have gold, humans like treasures right? I can give you gold. I don’t care that you stabbed me, you didn’t know I wasn’t a monster, and then you tended to my wound and were really nice to me so you didn’t really mean it… I think?”
How touch starved was this poor creature?
Ren sighed. “Believe me I very much intended to kill you. How do you know I won’t change my mind and actually do it now that you’re at your most vulnerable?” The knights gaze was hidden behind a shadow as he looked down upon the dragon and his tone carried just the right amount of a threat in it.
“Because if you were really going to do it I would have been dead by now.” Dan Heng retorted with a sudden confidence and fierce eye contact. Being locked in the gaze of those endless pools of moonlight had been… enchanting.
The knight smirked. “Clever thing. Alright you win.” He eyed the space around for a chair but found none so he sat down on the stony floor crossed legged in front of the dragons nest. “I will humor you for a while.”
Dan Heng smiled victoriously, and oh his smile was just about the most beautiful sight Ren had ever seen. So sweet, innocent, pure and warm. Even the dragon seemed a bit surprised by his own reaction.
Ren was too caught up in admiring Dan Heng’s soft features before he heard him speak. “Where are you from? Are you from that kingdom you spoke of?” Innocent curiosity laced his tone. Curious how he didn’t seem to be the least bit interested in the fact that there are people out there who want him dead, nor demanded an explanation at the moment…
“No I am not, I merely temporarily reside there. My origin is from a land far far away, I barely remember it anymore.” The knight replied.
“How long have you been alone?” Ren cut right to the chase, tilting his head in the wait of an answer.
Dan Heng contemplated for a while, deep in thought. “Um, I’m not sure, I was dropped off on the beach of the valley a short while after hatching from my egg, I don’t know how long it’s been.”
“I see.” Had this creature been alone his whole life? He looked like a young adult in his early twenties physically, and he can speak the common language and even read. “How did you learn how to talk and read?”
“It came naturally I think, I remember for some reason I always knew the basic stuff and then I expanded my skills by learning from books.” He said pointing towards the collection (hoard). “I got almost all of these from shipwrecks or cargo that washed off on the shores, some are in foreign languages but I also found dictionaries so that helped me a bit.”
Just how many shipwrecks and washed off cargo were in the ocean of the valley? How much time did all of this take? This boy had probably lived here much longer than it seemed.
“I see.” Hummed the knight.
Dan Heng seemingly wasn’t happy with his response, or lack of contribution to the conversation, sporting a cute pout again. “What about you?”
“What about me?” The knight teased.
“What do knights do?”
“Don’t you know what the job of a knight entails? I thought you liked reading fairytales.” Ren replied with a teasing grin.
“I don’t only read fairytales.” Dan Heng huffed and laid down on the pillows surrounding his nest, suddenly very interested in fiddling with the tips of his long hair. “But those stories always describe the knight as the savior in shining armor who is the embodiment of loyalty and chivalry and the one who rescues the princess from the mighty dragon.”
“And you’re not like the knights described in those stories.”
“Clever guess.” Ren smiled. “I’m not the usual kind of knight. May I ask what gave it away?”
“Well… you didn’t kill the dragon.” Dan Heng replied softly.
The knight realized that by reading all these books written by humans that always vilified monsters like the one Dan Heng was supposed to be must have confused him greatly, warping his overall image of humanity and its way of thinking.
“My situation is quite unique, but despite my own virtues while I may not know what you are I know for sure that you are not a mindless evil monster as described in those stories.”
That put the boy in thought for a while. Ren gazed at the running waterfall separating then from the outside world, the sky had seemed to have darkened, giving away to the moon and stars. Then right before his eyes the running water was split into two parts and pulled to the sides like the curtains of a window, allowing a clear view of the outside and the chill night breeze to caress his skin. From the corner of his eye Ren noticed Dan Heng moving his hand, commanding the water, the element bending to his will.
“It has gotten quite late.” The knight got up to closer inspect their location based on his now clear view of the outside. Despite how the trip through the mountain felt they had been quite high up, the peaceful green landscape a considerable amount of meters below them. So that’s why Dan Heng mentioned he always flew up here huh.
The moonlight and the bioluminescent flora of the cave offered just enough visibility to go around, the perfect atmosphere for a deep slumber. “I suppose you wish for me to sleep here tonight.” The knight inquired, turning his head over his shoulder to see Dan Heng nod and hold out one of his pillows for him.
Ren took the offering pillow and laid down on the ground nearby the dragons nest on a relatively smooth looking area without too many rocks and bumps. It wasn’t an ideal sleeping condition but years on the road taught him he was pretty much capable of sleeping on anything.
“Goodnight then princess.”
“You won’t leave while I sleep will you?” He heard Dan Heng ask. Always so clever.
“I gave you my word did I not?” Ren mumbled with a yawn. “Sleep now, we can talk more tomorrow.”
He eventually heard rustling of blankets and faint clinking of his coat armor which meant the dragon had gotten ready to sleep, he faintly wondered why Dan Heng was still wearing his coat, laying on blankets must be way more comfortable, but he also didn’t see any other articles of clothing laying around. Whatever, a thought for another day.
***
It should not have been a thought for another day.
Ren woke up to the sounds of chirping birds and the soothing white noise of the waterfall. There was faint sunlight hitting his shut eyes, making him squint, the curtains of the cave must still be open.
There was a weight on his chest.
He slowly opened his eyes to be greeted with curious bright teal ones, underlined with beautiful red markings. Wait why is there a weight on his chest.
The knight blinked the sleepiness out of his eyes again, he’s usually way more alert upon waking up, his body must have been exhausted.
The full image that greeted him must be every man’s sinful dream…
The dragon boy was straddling his chest and he was fully naked again, his lean figure and small waist highlighted by the bandages wrapped around his midsection, Ren just now realized that his own coat was put over him like a blanket instead of hiding the dragons constant nudity.
Ren did a mistake. He looked lower. Immediately groaning and covering his face with his hands.
Gods help him.
Dan Heng doesn’t know. It’s fine, it’s not the boys fault, he doesn’t know better.
Said Dan Heng was tilting his head in curiosity at him, his beautiful black hair smooth like the finest of silks hanging around his sides crowned by a pair of majestic translucent horns, his oh so smooth and pale skin almost shining in the morning sunlight. Gods even his long tail was wagging behind him, Ren could feel it against his thigh.
“Dan Heng.” The knight groaned, not daring to uncover his face.
“Yes?”
“How long have you been watching me sleep?”
“Most of the night.”
Ren exhaled steadily.
“I gave you your coat back, humans are more susceptible to the cold.” Dan Heng explained.
Ren was still covering his face in utter exasperation which seemed to irritate Dan Heng who started reaching with nimble fingers towards Ren’s hands trying to pry them off his face. The knight let him, plopping his arms along his sides intently gazing at the ceiling in surrender.
“Do you have…” Ren trailed off. “Any clothes?”
“For you?” Dan Heng asked.
“No Dan Heng, for you.”
“Oh, no I don’t, why would I?”
Of course he doesn’t. Gods truly help him. “Would you please get off me and perhaps cover yourself in one of those silks you have there?” Ren pointed at the nearby nest.
“Why?”
“Don’t worry it’s for my own sanity.” Ren reassured him with an awkward smile.
Dan Heng was surprisingly convinced, although he didn’t look too happy to get off of ren and just looked at the piece of fabric he picked in confusion. A sheer white embroidered fabric. This really couldn’t get any worse.
Ren pushed his coat off to get up and stretch his muscles . It has been a while since he slept so peaceful even though it had been on a rocky surface. The water here must have worked in mysterious ways.
“What do I do with it?”
He tilted his head to see a confused Dan Heng fiddling with the white fabric.
“Try to wrap it around yourself, to wear it”
As Ren continued stretching the soreness out of his shoulders he heard ripping sounds from behind him. Oh gods. At least by the end of it Dan Heng had looked somehow covered. A corner of the fabric had been ripped and hung around one of his horns and the rest was either wrapped in all directions around him or hanging off of him.
“Are you feeling stronger today?” Asked the knight in an attempt to change the subject.
“Yes I think so, I could stand earlier. I got you breakfast.”
The knight heard rustling and the pit pat of bare feet against the ground as Dan Heng approached him again. Their height difference evident now, with the dragon boy being a head shorter than the knight and much leaner than his own muscular build.
He was holding a moderately sized raw fish in his hands, offering it to Ren with expectant eyes. Where or when he managed to get that was beyond him.
He looked at the boy and then back at the fish.
“Humans need to eat three meals a day and you didn’t eat yesterday.” Dan Heng pouted at him like an angry kitten. Gods what does Dan Heng see him as? A house cat?
Ren eventually took the slimy fish from his hands in defeat. Is he expecting him to eat it raw? One look into Dan Heng’s eyes told him yes. Gods if he’s really going to stay here any longer he’s going to have to teach the boy that most humans can’t eat raw food.
Ren took a big bite anyway. The lack of taste and uncomfortable texture was worth it after seeing Dan Heng beam up at him.
Ren swallowed. “Thank you.” He said to a smiling Dan Heng who clearly expected him to take more bites.
The knight didn’t like it but he finished half of the fish anyway. Dan Heng’s adorable wagging tail helped a lot.
He definitely had to clean himself afterwards though, the after smell of fish not to his liking.
“We are going out today. Since you can walk easily now.” The knight announced as he folded his discarded coat and placed in on a nearby desk.
“Where are we going?” Dan Heng perked up, his elfish ears twitching slightly.
“I need to take a bath, and I suppose you won’t let me go alone will you?”
“Well, um, what if you try to run away?”
“I don’t run, princess. I’m the one others usually run from. Now let’s go I will let you show me the best pond in this valley.”
He made his way towards the exit and heard the pit pats of bare feet behind him. “Don’t you need shoes?”
Dan Heng looked down at his feet, “Not really? I’ve never gotten injured from walking before.”
“Alright then.”
***
Ren realized why Dan Heng didn’t need shoes, it only makes sense a magical creature wouldn’t. It’s as if the forest itself actively tried to prevent him from getting hurt by placing the softest grass, moss and piles of leaves in his path. Ren was fully convinced he even floated for some parts of their short walk.
Dan Heng had led him into a well hidden crystal clear pond near the foot of the mountain, enveloped by rocks, hidden by tall trees. Dan Heng had claimed that the temperature of this one was just right unlike most of the other ones that were always cold. The dragon boys incessant care of his well-being was… sweet.
“Humans usually consider it rude to gaze upon others stripping.” Ren nonchalantly remarked as he laid his sheathed sword against a tree trunk and started unclipping his heavy boots. “Are you going to stop staring?” He tilted his head over his shoulder at the standing and curious dragon.
“No.” Came the casual response.
Ren sighed, “So be it then.” And started taking his undershirt off, exposing his muscled and scarred torso.
“What are those lines?”
“Scars.”
He heard Dan Heng approach and turned over to face him. The boys curious gaze raked over his body. “How did you get them.”
“From past battles and fights. Unless your body fully regenerates you’ll have one of them too.” Ren replied gesturing at Dan Heng’s bandaged side.
The boy ignored him, still utterly transfixed on his body. “You look so different from me.”
Then his soft hands were on him, feeling up and palming along his hardened muscles and pectorals, smooth fingers running along the leathery texture of his scars. Ren allowed it, the boy was only curious after all, he has never seen the body of anyone but himself. Hell, if he didn’t possess any medical books then Ren doubted he knew how other humans looked like at all. Dan Heng’s fingers started gradually exploring lower along his abs.
Ren had to grab his wrist once the boy reached for crotch. “That’s enough of that.” He reprimanded with no malice.
Dan Heng pouted but withdrew his hands anyway. “Turn around.” The knight commanded and unbuckled his belt, pants following suit.
The boy was right the water had indeed been the perfect temperature. Ren felt his entire body relaxing upon entering the pond, leaning against the side once submerged up to his chest. “You can turn back around now.”
He heard the familiar footsteps behind him as Dan Heng came close and plopped to the ground right next to Ren’s resting figure, tail wagging in mischief. The knight didn’t fail to notice how the dragon tried to sneak secret peaks below the water enveloping his body. “What are you doing?”
“What’s between your legs?” Came the blatant response.
“Nothing of concern, but must you insist it is not like what you have.”
Dan Heng looked confused. “Because you’re a human male right? I have this old human anatomy book with drawings in it but it’s really damaged and in a foreign language so I don’t understand most of it, but I remember the pictures.”
Ren hummed eyes closed. In any other situation he’d be quite uncomfortable with this conversation but the water worked wonders on his temper.
“I’m a male too but I don’t have what human males have.” Dan Heng continued.
He’s still talking.
“I think my species biology is more complex than that of humans but I don’t know the details of it.”
Another hum.
“Can I see yours?”
Now that question was enough to shake Ren out of his tranquil.
“No.”
“Why not.”
“It’s not proper.” The knight furrowed his brows in consternation.
“What do you mean?”
Another sigh. There was no point in getting angry, the boy was just curious is all. Explaining shouldn’t do any harm.
“Listen princess, humans usually go about their days fully clothed only those close to one another like lovers or family are permitted to gaze upon their naked bodies, otherwise nudity is considered improper and crude.”
“Oh.” Came the response. “Is that why you told me to cover myself up? Is my body improper?” Poor Dan Heng sounded so dejected.
Ren pinched the bridge of his nose. “No you are not improper you’re alright, I did that mostly for my own sake, besides don’t you like wearing…” he glanced at the pathetic and probably very expensive torn fabric the boy was tangled in. “Clothes?”
“No.” Dan Heng frowned.
“Noted.”
“What’s it like having a family and a lover? I’ve never had a family, I think, and I’m not sure what a lover is.”
“Well princess I can’t tell you much about family, I don’t have one either.” Ren closed his eyes and relaxed again against the stony side of the pond. “But I’ve heard people describe having a lover as a warm feeling in their chest and a state of constant happiness and comfort.”
“Like in the stories of the books right? Where a man and woman fall in love with each other and then they kiss and live happily ever after.”
“Sure.”
“Do you have a lover?”
“No I do not.”
Dan Heng hummed in acknowledgement seemingly satisfied with todays line of questioning for now so Ren started washing his long hair, running his fingers through the strands to get the knots out.
“Can I see your thing now?”
“No.”
***
The pair spent the rest of the day walking through the forest, Dan Heng insisted on showing Ren more great bathing spots and even showed him the local family of wild foxes from afar. The young kits were running around playing and biting each other. Ren asked if the animals of the forest liked to keep Dan Heng company to which the boy replied that most of them were scared of him.
On the bright side he at least never got attacked.
Back in the nest it was time for Ren to check the bandages again, after a while of fighting with the fabric covering dan Heng’s body he unwrapped them and as expected the wound had completely healed over, not even a scar left. He noticed Dan Heng pout at that.
“What’s wrong?”
“I wanted a scar like yours.”
Ren didn’t know what to do with that information so he just put away the rest of the bandages and started getting ready for the night.
“What are you going to do about the king?” Asked the boy out of the blue, offering a bitter reminder of the world beyond this valley.
Ren sighed. “I don't know yet.”
While he knew the kings past expeditions reached this valley Dan Heng’s nest was so well hidden it would be impossible to find without guidance, which is probably why they always hit a dead end here especially if Dan Heng was also actively hiding.
“You could stay here.” Sounded the boy, he was laying in his nest, splayed upon pillows and looking expectantly at Ren. “You can sleep in my nest.”
How many years until the king reaches his limit and sends someone after him. The knight has barely been gone for a month by now, all the previous expeditions took either half a year or even over a year to return so his time to work a plan out is plenty. He could always also wait for the old bastard to drop dead of age but the kings subjects were way too loyal, some other selfish bastard would take his place and honor his legacy of his obsession with the dragon of water. The knights jaw clenched at the thought of any of them laying their filthy hands on a being as angelic as Dan Heng.
Ren got up from his chosen sleeping place and made his way towards Dan Heng’s nest. “Alright I will stay until I can think of a plan.”
Dan Heng looked ecstatic, already making space for Ren to lie on one side of the pile of blankets with his tail wagging excitedly. The way the dragon was so eager to allow the knight into his most private space with such enthusiasm, especially after Ren tried to kill him was beyond his understanding. But sleeping on blankets was preferable to sleeping on the rocky ground.
“I am curious though.” Ren said before approaching the dragon. “You never asked why the king wants you dead. Aren’t you curious of the reason?”
Dan Heng’s mood shifted and he looked down, ears drooping dejected. “Because I’m a dragon?”
“Not quite.” Answered the knight.
“I’ve never left this alley and I’ve never been seen by any humans I don’t even know how your king would know of my existence. I didn’t do anything to him…”
“He seems to believe otherwise.”
“But how?” Dan Heng had looked genuinely confused, so any suspicions that he might have been lying about his involvement in the misery of the kingdom had been discarded by the knight.
Ren sighed. “The kingdom has been experiencing constant rainfalls and poor weather, resulting in the crops dying and the people starving for almost a decade. Poverty took over the land and diseases spread like wildfire.”
“The king blames all of the misfortune on a dragon of water he sees in his dreams and has been set on finding it for years now.”
Dan Heng had sat still listening to him, expression unreadable. “Do you believe him?” He asked, voice insecure and small.
“No.” The knight firmly stated. “The king has been going mad for years now, he was a madman even before I began my service to him. The diseases and poverty overtaking his land are at most his own fault as he started taxing ridiculous amounts and the people no longer had money to seek healthcare or food.”
“The only unexplainable part of this are the peculiar weather phenomena that harm the crops.”
“I see… I suppose the king has convinced everyone that their suffering is my fault, right?” Dan Heng asked, his expression glum. “I remember men in armor getting close to this valley a few years ago but they never went deep enough into the forest. They were looking for me weren’t they?”
“Yes.”
Dan Heng stayed silent for a while, then looked over to Ren. “But you’re not like them. You don’t hate me.”
“I do not, I didn’t even believe you existed before you so foolishly appeared in front of me.”
Dan Heng huffed and mumbled under his breath. “How rude…”
Ren couldn’t help but chuckle at the dragons antics.
“I offered you to sleep in my nest why are you still standing there.” The dragon huffed again, adorably annoyed.
“In case you’ve changed your mind after all the important information I’ve revealed to you.” Ren teased.
“I haven’t.” Dan Heng stated with stubborn finality.
“Alright, alright princess.” Ren chuckled.
“But if I wake up to you digging down my pants I will cut your tail off.” The knight threatened and Dan Heng looked understandably spooked.
Ren diligently took his boots and belt off before he climbed in. Noting that the blankets really felt like they were on top of a soft mattress that swayed soothingly with each movement, it must be the magical pond underneath.
To be fair the nest is very comfortable, extremely comfortable actually, smelling faintly of the sea, Ren admittedly hadn’t had the honor of indulging in such luxury in years.
As he fully laid down he could hear Dan Heng trying to to scoot closer but stopped as Ren threatened him with his hidden pocket knife.
***
It has been about a month since the knight had decided to stay with the dragon. Dan Heng could easily count the days now since Ren started a so called “calendar” on his caves wall in the form of various crisscrossing lines.
During spring and summer seasons Dan Heng would often sit and observe the animals of the forest, how the little fox kits played together before being reprimanded by their mother, how the bunnies slept glued onto each other for warmth and how the families of ducks traveled together across the lakes of the valley. Dan Heng didn’t have that. He didn’t have anybody before Ren.
When the knight decided to stay the dragon had been ecstatic about this development, he had finally had the company of another person like he had been dreaming of all these years, softly crying into the night while being eaten up by his own loneliness. Although the knight wasn’t that talkative and would oftentimes only reply to Dan Heng’s curious questions without contributing as much to the conversation, his presence was enough to make Dan Heng feel warm inside.
The knight taught him how to cook the fish and animals he caught for him, claiming that they can be way tastier roasted above a fire and topped with spices. And of course he had been right. Dan Heng ate everything the knight cooked for him, the blend of flavors added to the meat was simply divine.
He had also learned that the knight liked to craft. Ren mentioned he used to be a craftsman, but didn’t elaborate further on the topic. Still Dan Heng watched with curious eyes as the knight carved through small pieces of wood with his pocket knife, molding the bland shape into little ornaments or animals. Dan Heng had kept all of the carvings, neatly stacked and displayed among his treasures (hoards).
The dragon often found himself gazing at the knights handsome features in silent longing and admiration. The concentrated expression on his beautiful face when he crafted, the sharpness of his jawline and his angry crimson eyes, that once scared Dan Heng now made him feel all warm and weird inside. He would gaze at the knights rough and callused hands as he gripped the pocket knife or wielded his big, long sword. The dragon still shamelessly tried to peak at the knights naked body when he was bathing himself as well. Aside from his defined, strong muscles that lately made Dan Heng’s knees feel weird and weak and his stomach flutter, he wanted to see all of him. But the knight always told him no.
In fact after the first time Ren allowed Dan Heng to touch his body he had never let him again, his naked body that is. The dragon would often reminisce of the first time they met how despite the fact that Ren was the one who injured him, he was the one who took care of him afterwards and how he ran his strong yet gentle hands along his body as he cleaned him up. He has never been touched like that before…
The knight actively shut down all of Dan Heng’s attempts at intimacy. Saying, “Your desire for affection is due to your lonesome life, you should listen to your mind rather than your body.” Dan Heng wasn’t really sure he knew what Ren meant but he was sure his mind really wanted to be close to Ren too. While Ren would let him play with his long red tipped hair or sit close to each other shoulder to shoulder, he wouldn’t let Dan Heng scoot closer as they slept at night, even though Dan Heng sort of sometimes promised he won’t go “exploring” (meaning he won’t lay his hands on inappropriate places.).
While the dragon felt incredible pride at the knight liking his nest and sleeping in it, he wanted to cuddle. He had never been close to someone before and the warmth that emanated from Ren was so irresistible. Dan Heng would often watch his sleeping face, he always looked so at peace and relaxed, compared to how concentrated and serious he was during the day.
As the knight didn’t allow Dan Heng to cuddle the dragon would often resort to little gestures like weakly intertwining his fingers with the knights as he slept or curling the tip of his tail around Ren’s ankle. Silly little things, but they made Dan Heng happy.
“Why don’t you like me?” The dragon had asked one day.
The knight turned to face him, caught off guard by the question. “I like you Dan Heng, I stayed here didn’t I?”
It was midday, the sun high up in the sky casting the knights scarred back in a soft glow as he leaned over the lake to wash his shirt. Dan Heng still didn’t get humans fixation on wearing so many clothes all the time and the knights persistence over Dan Heng covering himself as well but he had stopped questioning it.
“Yes but you don’t want to be close to me.”
The knight chuckled. “And what would happen if I let a mischievous little minx like you close?”
“It’s not funny.” Dan Heng pouted, looking away. His cheeks were feeling warm, a strange feeling that seemed to happen a lot lately. “I just want to cuddle.”
The knight sighed, hanging his shirt over a nearby tree branch and sitting next to Dan Heng, who still refused eye contact. “I told you many times that that’s just the years of loneliness speaking.”
“No it’s not.” Insisted the dragon. “I wouldn’t want to cuddle if you were someone else.”
“You can’t know that.” The knights tone remained soft.
Dan Heng hugged his knees to his chest, now agitated he shook his head. He’s feeling tense and frustrated, like the one time river otters kept stealing his fishes when he caught them as a young hatchling, just learning how to hunt and sustain himself.
He’s angry.
Before Ren can open his mouth to speak again the dragon has turned into water sliding into the lake and leaping away towards his nest.
“Good grief.” Sighed the knight.
***
By the time Ren had gone back into the nest it was almost night.
He was greeted by the sight of a still sulking young dragon. Dan Heng had tossed away the robes covering him seeing as they were on the floor and had bundled himself up in blankets, only his long serpentine tail peaking from the bundle thumping from time to time in agitation.
Ren put away his sword and outer layers of clothing and sat down at the edge of the cave, where the water “curtains” were still open offering an astonishing view of the moon in its full glory.
It wasn’t long before the heard the pat pat of bare feet against stone and the drag of fabric as the still frowning dragon covered in a blanket plopped down next to him, gaze fixated on the ground, tail thumping.
Ren didn’t take his eyes off the moon as he slowly raised his hand up and rested it against the space between Dan Heng’s horns, slowly petting the soft black hair. That gesture alone significantly calmed down the dragon, the thump-thump of his tail ceasing.
“Dan Heng.” The knight began. “You alone are the most magnificent and beautiful creature I have ever laid my eyes on.”
“And a man like me with hands stained with blood and a cursed soul should not have the privilege to lay a stain upon your angelic beauty.” The knight cupped Dan Heng’s cheek, turning his head to face him. An endless sea of moonlight meeting flaming ruby.
“I’m not an angel.” The dragon replied after a while. “I’m no princess either. I’m the dragon of the story remember? The greedy beast nobody likes.” Dan Heng broke eye contact to gaze towards the sea. “It’s probably the reason I was abandoned in this alley to live a life of isolation. In a way I am cursed too.”
“You said I don’t know what I want but I do.” Dan Heng grabbed the knights wrist. “I want you.” Looking into the knights eyes with determination and confidence. “And you’re not the monster you think you are, I think you’re really kind and warm and um…” A small blush spread on his cheeks. “Sometimes you make me feel weird but in a really good way and I like being close to you. I don’t care that you hurt me I just want to be close…”
Ren stared at the blushing image of Dan Heng in silence for a few heartbeats. Gods help him. He was irresistible. When he first set off on this quest he could never have imagined that this is the predicament he would find himself in. A knights duty is to protect, to silently guard from the sidelines and never indulge, never fall into temptation and cross the line. But Dan Heng singlehandedly managed to unearth a protective and soft side of him he had sworn to forever bury.
In the back of his mind he knew deciding to stay here would be his undoing, a decision he could not back out of but he did it anyway. Ren knew the moment he made eye contact with Dan Heng that this story will not be a simple one, that this blossoming relationship of theirs will lead to undiscovered territories. Has Ren already grown too attached? Too mesmerized by the water dragons silly antics, his curious nature and thirst for intimacy and closeness?
This past month has been the most peaceful the knight has felt in a really, really long time, he didn’t know if this could attribute due to Dan Heng being a breath of fresh air compared to, well, anyone Ren has ever encountered, or the simple life of the forest and the worries of civilization laying far far away. But Ren had felt at peace. Living a life of quiet domesticity.
He breathed a sigh.
“My beautiful Dan Heng.” The knight trailed off. “What am I going to do with you.” He chuckled, entangling his fingers in the hair at the back of the younger’s neck and resting their forehead’s together. The knights expression was content, a small smile on his lips as he stroked the dragons silky hair. Ren can’t remember the last time he genuinely smiled as regularly as he did with Dan Heng.
“Alright.” Ren whispered, giving in, “We can cuddle.”
Dan Heng’s smile was so bright it outshined the moon itself, the dragon at first unsure what to do with the hands that later wrapped around Ren in a tight embrace. The knight gladly reciprocated, caging the younger against him inhaling the scent of his hair, calming and sweet like lotus flowers. It had felt good to finally give in.
“I always wondered what hugs felt like.” Dan Heng whispered.
“Shall we go to bed my lily?”
Ren felt Dan Heng nod against his chest. The knight tenderly picked him up and carried him to the nest, the dragon still clinging to him tightly, tail wrapping around the knights thigh. Ren laid them on their sides, stroking Dan Heng’s hair soothingly until he could hear the others breathing soften into a light snooze. He placed a kiss against the top of his head and felt his own body become heavy with sleep.
Perhaps this isn't that bad. Perhaps he could indulge in his own happiness and contentment.
***
“How do your ears work?” Dan Heng asked as he twisted and fumbled with Ren’s ear between his lithe fingers.
They had decided to have a lazy day in today. Well, Dan Heng did. The moment Ren mentioned he will go on his regular hunt and work out the dragon protested and tried to keep him from getting out of his tight embrace by creating rain… There was no storm outside, just a light rainfall that was hardly enough to cause a mild discomfort but Ren found the gesture so adorable he decided to stay.
Ren was laying on his back, one hand propped under his head while Dan Heng was laying on top of him, completely naked again, scaled tail swaying lazily in the air. Ren deserves an award for the amount of self control this creature forces him to have.
“I should be the one asking you that, my ears are normal.”
“They’re not to me.” Dan Heng retorted. “You also don’t have fangs.” He tried to shove his fingers into the knights mouth before Ren shooed the offensive limb away.
After Ren allowed the dragon to freely be intimate with him, Dan Heng had gotten surprisingly even more clingy than he was before. Always at a close proximity, always maintaining some sort of bodily contact from silly hand holding to always cuddling at night to even wrapping his tail around Ren’s ankle when they couldn’t be as close. Ren barely managed to get the dragon off him to wash himself in the ponds. But the knight couldn’t lie that he didn’t find the new behavioral traits of Dan Heng cute.
Gods he had fallen like a fool hadn’t he.
“You never told me much about your species.” Ren said.
“I’ve never met anyone like me, but I know the most basic stuff about my body I think. Like the information was already in my brain when I was born.” Dan Heng answered as he laid his cheek against Ren’s chest, the words coming out muffled.
“I see.” The knight murmured and started slowly petting Dan Heng’s silky hair.
“I know that besides my fast regenerative abilities my blood and saliva can heal others. I remember I once saved this little bird that had broken its wing and the bird ended up living for a longer time than it’s friends. It sometimes brought me little gifts like nuts and berries.”
Ren hummed, enjoying the softness of dan Heng’s melodious voice.
“Do you like my horns?” Dan Heng asked, completely changing the topic of conversation.
The knight propped his head up to scan the translucent horns, humoring the dragon, the knights hand still on top of his head stroking idly through the black strands. “I do, they’re quite mesmerizing.” Ren said, softly running his finger along the velvety texture and experimentally lightly scratching the area behind one of Dan Heng’s horns. The dragon immediately melted under the touch, shivering, eyes becoming half lidded and scooting closer to the touch.
How interesting…
“Is that spot sensitive?”
“Mm, yes.” Dan Heng slurred. “My horns are really sensitive sometimes, I think it depends on my mood.”
“I will keep that in mind.” The knight said continuing his ministrations. It was a rather cute sight, if Dan Heng were a cat he would definitely be purring right now.
The dragon had nuzzled against the knights neck. He did that oftentimes when they slept claiming he really liked Ren’s scent. The rain clouds outside had started to slowly make way to a clear blue sky, which meant Dan Heng was slowly drifting off to sleep, his control of the weather slipping.
“If you sleep now you will have trouble falling asleep at night.” The knight said.
“‘s fine I nap often.” The dragon murmured. Odd because the knight never saw him nap during the day, he was either reading books or playing around in the water. The realization that Dan Heng was probably disregarding his naps to spend more time with Ren dawned on him and he couldn’t help the little smile that tugged at his lips.
“I will stay till you fall asleep and then I’ll go hunt alright?” Ren whispered.
Dan Heng whined but agreed nonetheless. “Alright.”
***
Dan Heng had lately been reading one of his favorite books. It was about a man and a woman who were in love. They lived in a small farmhouse on the mountainside, they made love and kissed every night under the moonlight until their happiness was interrupted by the man being called by the king to serve in the war as a soldier. The woman weeped and begged the man not to go but the man thought he had no choice. Eventually the young lovers were forced to say goodbye. The woman gazed each night at the moonlight, remembering the time she was in the arms of her beloved. Time eventually passed and the woman didn’t go a day by without thinking about her beloved. Even as her hair started to turn white she still hoped that one day her beloved will return to her. The war had been long and cruel but eventually it came to an end. News spread around the small town at the foot of the mountain, reaching the woman’s ears. However her beloved didn’t make it. He had died on the battlefield a mere few days before the war ended. The woman cried and cried, she cried her soul out until there was nothing left to give.
The book goes into detail describing the woman’s unbearable sadness as if the author went through it themselves. Dan Heng had always liked this book because unlike most of the love stories he stumbled upon in various books this one had a bad ending. Even though the dragon was unfamiliar with the human world this book is the one that best helped him understand what love is. Undivided devotion. A feeling so strong it can make you wait for someone your whole life. Dan Heng had read of familial and platonic love between family members and friends, however romantic love always seemed to be the strongest and by far the most painful kind of love possible.
The dragon often wondered, while gazing at the moon, how such a feeling would be. He wondered how it would feel to be embraced by a loved one, to love and to be loved in return. The dragon would silently weep as he longed for such a feeling of warmth and comfort he was never granted in his long, long life.
Is love what he felt for the dark knight who so aggressively entered his life only to show him what affection and human contact can feel like later on?
The one thing Dan Heng was definitely sure of is that if Ren were to ever leave, Dan Heng would wait for him. He would wait for the knight that showed him kindness, who taught him how to cook and who touched him so tenderly, who nursed his wounds and made small gifts for him. Who showed him the warmth of a real embrace and kindly offered him the intimacy Dan Heng had been dreaming of all these years.
If what the dragon felt for the knight was love, would Ren ever love him back? He wasn’t a beautiful woman, or a human like Ren for that matter.
Dan Heng felt an incredible sting in his heart at the thought of the knight rejecting him.
Dan Heng wasn’t exactly sure how humans courted, in books the men would usually bring gifts and flowers to the maidens, showering them with compliments until a rosy blush spread on their cheeks, or flaunt their riches and number of horses and flocks of sheep. Dan Heng wasn’t sure the knight would appreciate riches like gold and diamonds judging by his indifference the time the dragon offered him gold to convince him to stay.
This brought Dan Heng in his current predicament. Intertwining big green leaves together to create a makeshift plate for the fresh forest berries he picked that grew this season. He had already scoured each lake and pond of the valley in the search of the most beautiful and biggest lotus flower that bloomed, planning to offer it along with the berries to Ren. They usually ate meat of the pray and fishes they caught so Dan Heng thought Ren might like something sweet.
The lotus had been kept alive by the dragons magic all the way back to the trip to his nest, it’s beautiful white, pink and yellow colored petals brimming with life and beauty, along with the green plate of sweet forest berries. He couldn’t craft something for Ren like Ren often did for him, like those little animals and pins he made out of wood, but he hoped the knight would like his gifts.
Ren had gone outside to train today, Dan Heng asked once what training entailed and Ren told him he “wrestled bears”… probably poking fun at him. The knight asked if he wanted to come but he refused, he was on a mission today.
Dan Heng made sure to be ready once the knight returned, he even wrapped himself in some embroidered silk from his nest, despite how much he disliked the feeling of it on his skin.
The dragon waited for seemingly hours until the sun started setting. He sat at the edge of the cave, tail curled around himself, looking down at the valley trying to spot the knight. The lotus and the berries were still kept fresh thanks to his water magic. It is peculiar though that the knight is so late. He usually returns around midday when he goes out in the morning. Dan Heng didn’t let the worry get to his head.
By the time he heard familiar footsteps of heavy boots the sky was colored in shades of orange and yellow.
“Sorry I’m returning so late, the bears were very agitated today, I had to wash all the grime and sweat off myself before coming back.” Sounded the knight behind him. “Were you waiting for me?” He asked as he eyed the plate of berries and the blooming lotus next to Dan Heng’s sitting figure.
Dan Heng suddenly got really nervous. It felt as if his throat was tight and his mouth dry. And to top it all of his heart started beating faster than regular. The knight didn’t notice anything as he took off his coat and sword, resting them in their usual place and and sat down next to Dan Heng.
“I got this for you.” The dragon picked up the flower and shyly offered it to the knight with his gaze set down, suddenly too scared of eye contact, he didn’t want to admit it but his tail was definitely swishing nervously.
Half of his worries however melted away as Ren slowly took the flower from Dan Heng’s hold into his own. “It reminds me of you.” The dragon looked up and saw the knight looking at the lotus with a soft smile on his face. “Thank you my beautiful lily.” He said and reached towards Dan Heng to tenderly cup his cheek in his hand. Dan Heng’s face started feeling hot at the gesture.
Ren liked it. He accepted his gift.
The dragon shook himself out of his flustered trance and reached for the makeshift plate of berries. “I also got these for you, I picked them some hours ago and I’m not sure if my abilities kept them fresh but I thought you might like something sweet.”
“I’ve seen these grow in forests before but never of such vibrant color.” The knight said as he picked one berry up to inspect it. “Let’s share them.” The knight offered. Dan Heng nodded.
The dragon felt prideful at the fact that Ren liked his gifts, a more instinctual part of himself thriving at the knights pleased expression when eating the berries, he was feeding and providing for him. He had felt that way before when Ren ate the fish he caught for him but he shrugged off the feeling as something unimportant.
“Your eyes are pretty.” Dan Heng blurted out, it was a compliment he had read humans use often to attract mates.
Ren gave him a confused smile in between bites. “Why thank you?”
Dan heng expected more of a reaction but instead the knight returned to gazing at the moon again.
The dragon frowned. He has to try harder, he has to prove he’s good enough.
From what he understood human kissing involved pressing one’s lips against the others as a sign of love and affection for each other. And so he did just that. Swiftly moving his face towards the knight to press a small peck against the others lips with his own, quickly retrieving afterwards.
Dan Heng was panicking, his heart was pounding, his stomach felt weird and his face was hot and he refused to make eye contact with the knight, looking anywhere but at him. Why was he reacting in such a way, humans do this all the time! At least that’s what the books say…
Dan Heng shrank in on himself hugging his knees towards his chest in utter shame. Why was he ashamed? He has never been ashamed before! What if when he looks at Ren he will only see indifference or disgust? After all Ren was human, why would he even accept Dan Heng, someone so different.
Why is he feeling so stressed…?
“I’m.. mm..” Dan Heng started an attempt at an apology, unable to string even a few words together and finally dared to peak at the knight.
Thankfully he did not see disgust, only shock…? Ren’s eyes were slightly widened and his mouth was slightly agape. However the knight seemed to swiftly compose himself.
“Dan Heng, look at me.” His voice was surprisingly soft.
The dragon fully turned his head again to face the knight, though still terribly panicking.
His clear distress must have been evident as the knight tenderly cupped his cheek again, the gesture calmed his down a little.
“Come here.” Ren said, urging him to sit across his lap. Dan Heng complied, though still avoiding looking into those burning eyes.
“I’m sorry, you don’t-“ Dan Heng’s chocked apology was interrupted by Ren’s lips on his own.
This time Ren’s touch lingered, his lips were soft yet slightly chapped, and then he started slowly moving against Dan Heng, entangling their lips in a dance of their own. The dragon melted against the knights warm embrace and steady hands on his back and cheek. Is this what a real kiss feels like?
To Dan Heng’s disappointment Ren pulled away after a while. “My beautiful Dan Heng.” The knight spoke softly, deep voice reverberating through Dan Heng’s bones. It was only then that he dared to look into his fiery red eyes, full of adoration.
“What am I going to do with you.” Ren chuckled and placed a kiss on the dragons cheek.
“Y-you’re not mad?”
“No I am not. Did you think I would push you away?” The knight asked humorously.
Dan Heng blushed. “Well, you’re human I thought… I thought you would not like me in that way.”
Ren’s expression turned serious. “For how long have you wanted me?”
Dan Heng averted his eyes from Ren’s face. “I read this book where the woman waits for her beloved for all of her life and I realized that I would wait for you for that long too if you were to go away.” He said after a while, gaze set low, fumbling nervously with the edges of the fabric covering him. “And I thought you might not want me because I’m not a human woman, you’ve told me I’m beautiful before, but I want you to love and want me the way those people do in stories.”
Ren sighed,”My beautiful lily,” tilting Dan Heng’s head up. “How could I not want you? Don’t worry about the silly limits of humans, they have long rejected me. But as a knight my duty is to protect from afar, to not sully the treasure with my tarnished hands. I would have never dared to touch you unless you gave me the permission.”
Dan Heng took Ren’s hand in his own. “So you… you like me the way I like you?”
The knight smiled. “I do.”
Dan Heng felt like jumping up in joy, all the anxiety dissipating in an instant. “Can we… can we kiss again?”
“Anything for you.”
The moon shone bright in the night sky as the odd pair confessed their love for one another, casting them both in an otherworldly light.
***
Ever since the knight kissed him for the first time Dan Heng had demanded a lot of kisses, which led to the introduction of tongues.
One night before they both fell asleep dan Heng had been particularly needy as Ren softly kissed along his cheek and neck, the dragon liked the neck and mouth kisses a lot but he still wanted more, he wanted more of Ren, he wanted to be loved. “How about we try something new hm?” The knight said upon noticing the dragons agitation and tail thumps.
It had started as regular kissing but then Ren started to slowly pry Dan Heng’s mouth open with small licks of his tongue. The younger complied yet a little confused. However Ren then suddenly bit his lower lip which made dan Heng gasp and give Ren full access to shove his tongue into Dan Heng’s mouth, swirling their tongues together in a wet mess of saliva.
Dan Heng had been scared at first Ren would be appalled by his forked tongue and sharp canines but the knight didn’t seem to mind, entangling their tongues in a wild battle which he took the lead in, guiding him with each movement. It was hot, it was intense and just what Dan Heng needed that night. The dragons face felt like a hundred degrees and his insides felt funny, he did his best to follow Ren’s lead though clumsy at first. The knight had to pull off every once in a while for air which led Dan Heng to desperately chase after him, wanting more.
Eventually and to Dan Heng’s great displeasure Ren stopped and said it’s time to sleep.
Understandably that night the dragon had great trouble falling asleep, unlike the knight who slept like the dead.
Back to the present, Dan Heng isn’t sure what he wants from Ren but it is something and he needs it desperately. Even though the their little nightly (and daily) escapades felt amazing Dan Heng was sure there was more to discover.
They had been outside today, Dan Heng followed Ren on his usual workout which consisted of body exercises and sword fights against a wooden dummy he made, the dragon asked why Ren still trained since there’s no danger near to which the knight said it’s like routine for him. The way the knights strong muscular body moved and swayed the sword with such strength and confidence made Dan Heng feel all funny and tingly again as he watched lounging atop a tree, even worse Ren had taken off his shirt for the exercises earlier so all his upper body had been exposed for Dan Heng’s eyes to feast upon. Every visible muscle flexing and glistening with sweat.
He bet Ren must smell so good right now. Dan Heng always loved the knights smell but his strong and unique musk was always the strongest while he sweated. The younger had really wanted to scent Ren many times after he worked out but in the past Ren never let him, bathing right after. Maybe now that they’re so close he would? Dan Heng rubbed his thighs together as he felt heat pool in the pit of his stomach. How strange.
Lost in thought he failed to notice the object of his adoration had sheathed his cracked sword and moved to sit upon a nearby rock to rest and cool off.
The dragon swiftly leaped in a stream of water from his spot on the tree, next to Ren. “Give me time to cool off and after I bathe we can go on a walk alright?” The knight said with a small smile wiping sweat off his brow.
“Do you have to bathe every time?” Dan Heng mumbled, moving his face closer to the knights neck, inhaling deeply the intoxicating scent of musk and sweat.
Ren didn’t move away, merely resting under the sunlight, letting the dragon have his way. “Well yes, I would be dirty and smell bad if I did not, silly.”
“But I like the way you smell.” Dan Heng had fully pressed his face into the knights neck, sneaking a small tentative lick over a bead of sweat that rolled down his skin. Salty.
“You little minx.” Ren chuckled.
“Alright have your fun but only for a while alright?”
Dan Heng did have his fun.
Scenting freely along the expanse of Ren’s scarred, exposed upper body. He even licked off a few beads of sweat here and there, ran his hands along the planes of Ren’s hard torso muscle and biceps. His tail wagged in delight as he let his instincts run free, following the strongest source of the scent and finding himself face to face with the knights abs and belly, just above a dark thatch of hair trailing down under his pants, as he kneeled on the soft grass between Ren’s strong thighs.
Where is that intoxicating smell coming from, it made Dan Heng dizzy. He wanted more.
Just a little lower.
A hand pressing against his forehead pushing him away made him come back to his senses. “Alright princess that’s enough.” He heard the knight say above him.
Dan Heng growled in protest. Ren’s crotch had been so close how dare he stop him.
“But I want it.”
The knight was silent for a while.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Dan Heng breathed, struggling against the knights hold on him. He needed to get closer.
Finally Ren let go.
Dan Heng pressed his face against his clothed crotch, making a sound he had never heard himself make before. The knight winced at the force but at least he wasn’t pushing Dan Heng away anymore.
Finally, finally Dan Heng can get his hands on the one piece of the knight he never let him touch. The strong intoxicating scent was heavenly and he was getting drunk on it. He nuzzled against it, too dazed to notice the area started bulging.
“Had enough?” Ren asked from above him, sounding strangely strained.
Dan Heng growled again at the thought of Ren pushing him away, displaying his fangs in threat and gripping onto the knights calves with his sharpened nails.
If it smells so good it must taste good too, Dan Heng’s drunk brain added. He wasted no time in beginning to lap and lick along the big bulge, dissatisfaction evident on his face with a furrow of his brows at the plain taste of fabric.
“Dan Heng…” He faintly heard a disheveled Ren above him.
“I will give you what you want just don’t use your teeth alright? No biting.”
The dragon nodded, now focused on lapping up the liquid that started to coat the clothed bulge.
He heard the click of a belt buckle and curiously looked up to Ren’s fingers undoing the buttons on his pants and sliding the hem down just enough for Dan Heng to be faced with his prize.
He had seen depictions of human male genitalia in some medical books but they definitely weren’t as big as this. Ren’s manhood was intimidating but looked oh so delicious. A big long, thick and veiny size crowned by a glistening angry red tip. Dan Heng practically drooled at the sight of the precum beading at the tip and the scent… he wasted no time in burying his head in the underside just above the heavy set of balls, lapping up the dripping liquids generously.
Dan Heng failed to notice just how affected the knight was, panting and groaning under his ministrations. Ren slowly placed his palm on top of Dan Heng’s head, careful since the possibility of Dan Heng biting him now was on the table. “Let me help you alright?” Ren offered and guided the dragon towards his leaking tip.
Thankfully Dan Heng reacted well, after a few calming scratches behind his horns he started suckling on the glistening tip while stroking the rest of the length.
Dan Heng was in heaven, he could feel a sort of wetness drip down his own thighs but that wasn’t important right now, all he cared about was coaxing out more of that delicious fluid out of Ren. The bitter and salty taste combined with the heavy smell of his sweat was addictive and he wanted to drown in it. How could have Ren kept this from his for so long. Dan Heng frowned at the thought and sucked harder putting more of the length in his mouth which made Ren audibly groan above him.
The dragon wasn’t familiar with human genitalia but they must be quite sensitive and he was sure there’s supposed to be a climax according to the process of breeding he’s familiar with. What would the climax look like? Would it make Ren happy? Dan Heng felt himself grow warmer at the thought of this making Ren happy and started bobbing his head up and down in the stroking motion he noticed Ren likes, judging by the rise and fall of his sweaty chest and the occasional groan.
“Dan Heng…” the knight moaned his name. He really liked the way Ren had said that…
Dan Heng then tried to fit as much of the length into his mouth until the corners of his mouth burned, still he managed to fit it all snugly down his throat the weight resting heavily inside of him. He felt so full, and strangely content? Proud of himself for taking all of Ren.
He heard Ren moan loudly. “Fuck, of course you don’t have a gag reflex.” He muttered.
Dan Heng didn’t know what a gag reflex is but he liked the sounds Ren was making. His length in his mouth throbbed as he ran his forked tongue over it coaxing out more fluids.
The knight gripped his hair tightly. “I’m close.” He panted.
That must mean he’s close to climax, Dan Heng thought. He eased off a bit to continue sucking and licking until he felt the length throb and heard Ren groan. Liquid release shot down his throat and into his mouth, the taste had been mostly salty but the feeling of being filled by Ren felt so much better. Dan Heng eagerly drank down everything, sucking more trying to get more, lapping along the length in long licks, cleaning it of excess fluids until Ren’s hand started pushing him away again.
“That’s enough for you princess.” The knight panted. Dan Heng frowned and licked off the fluids that had trickled down his chin, he must look like a mess right now, and there was definitely wetness all along his inner thighs.
The dragon finally looked up at the disheveled knight. Ren’s cheeks were painted a rosy pink and his pupils were blown. “Did you like it? Did I do well?” Dan Heng asked with hopeful eyes, still snugly resting against the knights inner thigh.
“Yes...” Ren said, breathless but looking oh so relaxed.
Dan Heng beamed. “Can I have more?”
Ren sighed. “You’re insatiable… I want to clean up now, another time alright?”
Dan Heng pouted but agreed. “Alright.” And got one last small whiff of Ren’s heavenly musk.
Ren got up and to Dan Heng’s great displeasure tucked himself back into his pants to go towards the nearby pond to wash up. Dan Heng should probably too since he got a little dirty himself even though his powers could fix that, he thought of bathing together with Ren.
Both of them naked and close to each other. Dan Heng shivered.
“Can we bathe together?” The dragon asked as Ren started undressing and getting into the crystal clear pond. He had looked tired, or really relaxed, it was hard to tell.
After a while of silence from the knight, came a simple: “Alright.”
Dan Heng immediately excitedly leaped into the water, hugging Ren and resting his head on his chest. The water was cold but the heat of Ren’s body engulfed the dragon nonetheless. Come to think of it they’ve never cuddled naked like this before. That’s what humans do right? Sleep together naked?
Dan Heng lazily intertwined his tail with the knights legs and listened to Ren’s steady heartbeat, completely relaxed.
“Can I wash you?” The dragon asked, peaking up at the knight.
“Only my upper body.” Came Ren’s neutrally sounding reply, but Dan Heng will take what he can get, immediately getting to work spreading water over the taller man’s long dark strands of hair. Ren’s hair wasn’t as soft as Dan Heng’s but it still looked very well taken care of.
“Does this bring you joy?” The knights question came suddenly but with a soft tone.
“Cleaning you?”
Ren hummed in confirmation, he looked relaxed under Dan Heng’s touch.
“It does, I like taking care of you. I get really happy when you eat the food I bring you.” Referring to the fishes he catches for Ren, he always makes sure to pick the best ones. “Even though sometimes you make funny faces while chewing. And um…” Dan Heng slightly blushed and averted his attention back to Ren’s hair. “Earlier you smelled very satisfied when I took you in my mouth and that made me feel good too.”
“You can smell my mood?” The knight inquired, curious.
“I think so? I’ve never done these things before and usually I don’t but earlier your scent got sweeter and I could feel your satisfaction through it. I know most animals have that kind of connection with their mates, but it probably doesn’t apply to humans I think.”
“Do you see me as your mate?” The knight asked.
Dan Heng blushed furiously. Tilting his head away in embarrassment, he probably shouldn’t have said that, human relationships don’t work this way anyway so Ren would probably think he’s being silly.
“Don’t get all shy on me now, my lily.” Ren tiled Dan Heng’s head to face him again. “Answer me.”
“It doesn’t- It doesn’t have to mean anything I know this would probably seem foreign and strange to you, let’s not- hmph.” Dan Heng’s rambling was interrupted by Ren’s lips on his own, claiming them in a hungry kiss.
“Are you worried I might find your instincts strange Dan Heng? For such an insatiable little minx like you such thoughts shouldn’t be much trouble no?” Said the knight as he pulled the shorter man against him, their naked bodies pressed incredibly close underneath the waters surface.
Dan Heng always loved how big the knight was in comparison to him, how the man could engulf him with his sheer height and muscle, like a safe world he could escape into, surround himself with Ren and only Ren. His scent, his skin, his warmth, his low and gravely voice and his big hands that could easily cover his entire waist. Said hands traveling lower, hooking under his thighs to pull him up to face-level with the knight.
Ren softly pulled him into another kiss, this time with more tongue involved and Dan Heng started feeling hot. The cold water of the pond doing little to calm the heat in his guts.
This is all so sudden. Ren almost never initiated, it had always been Dan Heng asking or outright begging for intimacy. Maybe Ren is in a really good mood from earlier or AH-.
“R-Ren- mm…” Dan Heng pulled away from the kiss to gasp as he felt the knight rubbing the spot above his tail, where his spine connected to the serpentine appendage.
That spot had been incredibly sensitive. Ren discovered it accidentally one night when he was soothingly stroking Dan Heng’s back to help him fall asleep. His fingers wandered south and just a bit of pressure was enough to have Dan Heng mewling and lifting his hips up to seek out more. Ren had been understandably surprised and to Dan Heng’s great disappointment didn’t continue that night or touched that spot again. Well, until now.
“You are so good to me Dan Heng.” Said the knight as the dragon buried his face in his neck, hugging him tightly, breaths coming in quick as Ren kept teasing that special spot. “However, it seems I have been holding back too much, enough to make you feel undesirable.”
“What do you m-.” Dan Heng wanted to ask but was interrupted with a gasp as Ren effortlessly lifted him from the water and placed him on the soft moss at the edge of the pond. The way the knight manhandled him with such ease did things to Dan Heng.
Said knight who took a hold of one of Dan Heng’s soft wet thighs and gently caressed the other, peppering kisses along the expanse of smooth unblemished skin.
“It seems I may have been the cause of many frustrations for you, I ought to take responsibility.”
Another kiss, on his inner thigh. “Will you let me?”
***
Ren knew Dan Heng’s clinginess and constant desire for physical contact will eventually lead to sex. While one could argue that bedding someone as beautiful as Dan Heng would be like a blessing from the gods Ren wasn’t sure if it would be entirely safe. For one Dan Heng was part of an unknown species to the knight and many parts of him are still a mystery but most importantly Ren was worried about his own thinning self control. He had hurt Dan Heng once and he was sure it already put a big enough stain on his cursed soul to last a lifetime.
Ren allowed Dan Heng to taste him, to have his fill and oh what a dream it was. He thought maybe if he let the dragon explore his body here and there he will be satisfied for a while. But then Dan Heng had confessed his love and the knight could no longer deny his extreme fondness for the dragon either.
Dan Heng has been seeing him as his “mate” and the poor thing had been worried Ren would find it strange. It’s incredible really, how someone as straightforward as Dan Heng could also be so shy sometimes. A cute blush spreading across his cheeks and elfish ears. He was truly irresistible.
Ren didn’t wish to see him upset, ever. And that ought to be his foremost reasoning for his decision to satisfy Dan Heng, to properly reciprocate his affections and indulge in the dragons hunger for he is an equally thirsty man, even though his desires are much darker than he could ever let on lest he scare Dan Heng off.
He wants to make Dan Heng happy as much as Dan Heng wishes to see him happy.
“My beautiful lily.” He kissed his thighs, nipping at the supple flesh with his teeth and gently coaxing them open as the dragon lay on the soft grass, while his own body had still been submerged in water. “I need your permission to touch you here.” Ren said as he placed a kiss to Dan Heng’s hip bone, leaning towards his crotch. “I ought to satisfy you, that’s what mates do right?”
It seems Ren pressed the correct buttons, judging by the way Dan Heng blushed furiously and moaned softly. The sight of his wet naked body splayed in front of the knight must be worth more than every treasure of the land.
“Y-yes please.” The dragon breathed.
The knight took his sweet time teasing him, placing kisses around and on top of his soft, hairless crotch just above the place that Dan Heng wanted him most that throbbed with heat and dripped in slick. Ren gently maneuvered Dan Heng’s lower body closer towards his face, nestling his head between his legs however just before he laid his mouth on him-
“Wait…” Dan Heng sounded already so out of breath and consumed with pleasure, it only fueled Ren’s own desire however he dutifully stopped when told to.
“Are you alright my beloved?” Asked Ren, slight worry laced in his tone.
“Y-Yes it’s just…” Dan Heng looked to the side, almost contemplative. “I told you before that my bodily fluids have healing abilities and um…”
Ren could guess where this is going.
“I’m not sure what ingesting my slick will do to you…”
Ren hummed in thought. “Will the effect be negative?”
“No but-.”
“Then I’ll take my chances.”
The knight announced and dove right in.
He was sweet. Oh so sweet. One swipe of his tongue from his quivering hole to his clit was enough for him to be overwhelmed with a sweet, inhuman honeyed taste, delectable and utterly addictive. He heard Dan Heng moan loudly as he started licking and teasing his lips nipping softly here and there. He wanted to take his time, exploring what Dan Heng likes. He gently squeezed his thighs as he started gradually working up to teasing repeatedly his clit.
With every swipe of Ren’s tongue over the sensitive bud of nerves the dragons tail tip flicked and he made the most melodious sounds, music to the knights ears. Ren eagerly drunk up all of Dan Heng’s juices, he felt no change in his body yet, meaning the slick probably serves the same healing purpose as the dragons blood and spit, nothing to worry about…
Oh-.
He spoke too soon.
The heat hit him first. Scorching heat traveling through his whole body and concentrating in his loins. Ren groaned and gripped Dan Heng’s thighs in a bruising grip.
He was so hard it hurt.
His first instinct was to attack the dragons dripping pussy with an onslaught of his mouth. Flicking his tongue over Dan hands clit over and over to coax more of that delicious slick out, much to Dan Heng’s confusion and screams of pleasure.
“Ren! Aghh!” Dan Heng cried.
Ren needed more. He ate him out like a starving man, sucked and lapped at his clit, groaning and moaning in unison with Dan Heng own angelic, lewd moans. His hips bucked involuntarily under the water, searching for any kind of friction. Everything was hot, he needed more, more, ah-
Figures. The realization did little to help his current condition. Of course Dan Heng’s body would produce a natural aphrodisiac.
Ren didn’t even fully register the first time Dan Heng came, thighs shaking between his hold and face contorted with pure pleasure as he let out a silent scream. His mind was in a daze, focused on eating out the dragon below him even though the object of his adoration shook with oversensitivity and moaned his name.
His name… right.
“R-Ren?”
Ren slowed down his movements and with a grunt got out of the water. The fresh air over his painful erection did little to help. Even worse now as he let go of Dan Heng’s lower body which draped over his kneeling position on the damp grass he got presented with the full view of Dan Heng’s dripping wet pussy, so plump and pink, right in front of his own painfully hard erection.
Ren was pretty sure he was drooling like a rabid animal, frozen on the spot, pupils blown wide. The aphrodisiac clouding his mind urging him to slide right home, it’d be so easy… To fuck into Dan Heng’s heat and claim him from inside out, to lay his seed in him, to-.
No he hasn’t been given permission, he can’t, it’ll hurt Dan Heng.
The touch of a cold hand against his cheek brought him back to reality. Dan Heng was leaning towards him, his own expression nothing less than fucked out, eyes half lidded, cheeks and ears rosy. Ren was panting heavily, and he groaned as the dragons thigh nudged against his throbbing manhood. Gods he needed to cum so bad.
The knight expected the dragon to go for a kiss but instead Dan Heng swiped his leftover dripping liquids off of Ren’s face with his finger and pushed them back into his mouth, all the while maintaining eye contact. Ren took the clue, lapping up the slick off of the offering fingers hungrily. Dan Heng must be similarly affected by the situation and operating strictly on instinct because he wouldn’t be so bold otherwise. Taking a hold of Ren’s cock and giving him the friction he desperately needed while kissing him, all tongue and teeth, eating each others faces like their life depended on it. It was wild, it was intense.
Ren came with a groan that sounded close to a growl, shooting his thick load into Dan Heng’s awaiting hand. The orgasm helped calm the fire in him by a lot but it still wasn’t gone and his erection wasn’t either. He took no time to catch his breath as he lifted up Dan Heng’s hips to his mouth again, swinging his legs over his shoulders and diving back into the dragons core eating him out while making the most shameless sounds.
Dan Heng let himself be maneuvered around like a doll, in any way Ren pleased. Being oh so good for him, filling the thick forest with his sweet and angelic moans as he eagerly licked and sucked all of Ren’s release from his palm and fingers with a dazed look in his beautiful teary eyes, letting himself be eaten out continuously, reaching peak after peak.
Ren doesn’t remember how long this went on for but eventually the effects of the aphrodisiac ceased.
He took Dan Heng in his mouth in multiple positions, jerking himself off to relieve the tension. All the while Dan Heng had been so good and eager, always giving him access and lifting his tail when Ren got bored and ate out his ass instead.
Ren had to clean them both off in the end, even though the sight of Dan Heng’s entire backside and inner thighs dripping with slick and saliva had been incredibly tempting to go again…
He carried Dan Heng back to their nest since the dragon had been too exhausted and just mumbled and smiled happily for most of their way back, eventually falling asleep in the knights arms.
***
The next morning the knight awakened to something nudging his nose.
He grumbled sleepily and shooed the offending thing away only for it to resume its poking and nudging.
Defeated, Ren opened his eyes and was greeted with a concerned looking Dan Heng looming over him, very much naked and very much looking like a feast for sore eyes.
Ren smiled dopily up at him, still lightheaded from yesterday’s… intense experience. “Good morning princess.”
“It’s not morning.” Dan Heng replied sternly. “You overslept.”
“Did I now?” Ren wasn’t particularly bothered by this. Before Dan Heng, he never slept regularly and when he did he would sleep heavily for hours and hours on end. Slept like the dead they said.
“Yes.” The boy continued, tone laced with stern worry. “I think… I think it’s because…” He trailed off, looking to the side, blushing, unable to finish the sentence.
“Because I ate you out last night like you’re the first meal I’ve had in centuries?” Ren teased with a smirk. Faintly aware of the ache in his jaw.
The effect of his words was instant as Dan Heng blushed furiously and looked at him, bewildered.
“Oh don’t be so coy now princess, you were quite into it too, besides-.” The knight was interrupted by a hand on his mouth.
“I was going to say it’s because of the effects my bodily fluids have on you… I had my suspicions and I was proven right…”
Was Dan Heng… upset?
“I could tell you were very frustrated and well… um… desperate for any sort of release like you were in pain, and it seems the act has exhausted you as well.” He looked genuinely upset and troubled by this predicament, almost as if he felt… guilty?
“Come here.” The knight gently said and tapped on his chest, Dan Heng obliged and laid on top of Ren.
“Yesterday wasn’t a negative experience for me in any way. In fact I enjoyed it immensely.” Ren started as he gently stroked Dan Heng’s back. “The effects of you are similar to an aphrodisiac, it’s a drug humans sometimes use to enhance their sex drive.”
“I know that.” Dan Heng mumbled.
“Then why are you so upset my lily hm?”
Dan Heng raised himself up on all fours to face Ren beneath him. “I thought… that the loss of control might be to your dislike, since you seemed very…” The dragon blushed cutely again.
“Eager? Desperate? Like a rabid animal ravishing its prey?” Said the knight as he leaned in closer to Dan Heng’s face. “I had more control than it seemed don’t worry about that. There’s no need to feel guilt.”
“Because if you feel guilty then I won’t get to enjoy this delectable part of you anymore, wouldn’t that be a shame?” He teased with light slap on Dan Heng’s asscheek. The dragon rocked forward nonetheless, surprised and flustered but the small smile in his lips and the deep blush on his cheeks betrayed any kind of feelings he was hiding in that moment.
“There’s my mischievous and insatiable little princess.” Ren said as he pulled Dan Heng into a kiss, slow, sensual and teasing. He loved the way the dragons body always melted under his touch. “If you get up now and let me stretch and eat I’ll have you as my dessert how does that sound?”
Dan Heng immediately got the clue and nodded, making way for ren to get up.
“I got you breakfast.” He heard the boy say as he stretched his sleep heavy muscles.
“Is it another raw fish?”
“…”
“Yes…”
***
Ren had come to the conclusion that Dan Heng is an absolute menace and utterly insatiable when it comes to pleasure. Not like he will complain, Ren has been enjoying every single bit of their time immensely. For once in his cursed life it felt like he was blessed by the gods themselves, waking up, hot and bothered, to the sight of Dan Heng, laying on top of him, dripping and plump pussy perched atop his chest right in front of his face as the dragon lazily laps and licks at his cock with his elongated forked tongue, suckling on his tip like a lollipop, licking him like he’s some sort of delicious candy. Ren couldn’t even scold him at this point, merely grabbing a handful of each of the dragons asscheeks and beginning to eat him out in earnest, already aroused from Dan Heng’s ministrations as the boy mewled and moaned and took his cock down his throat. And if Ren didn’t begin to eat him out, choosing to lazily observe the view while throwing teasing comments, Dan Heng’s tail would just push his face right into him.
That happened most of their mornings, but during the day Dan Heng would take him places, show him different parts of the fascinating valley, watch him as he crafted and eagerly gathered materials for him, bathed with him, cooked meals with him.
And during the night, well.
Ren knew Dan Heng will eventually start seeking out more, but he would never dare offer it himself out of pure respect. For now Dan Heng satisfied himself well enough on his tongue and fingers.
The first time the dragon had guided Ren’s fingers inside himself never fails to make arousal swirl in his guts. Dan Heng had been magnificent that day.
Dan Heng was sitting on his face, riding out orgasm after orgasm the knight wrung out of him with his mouth and skilled tongue. His tail swayed behind him as he moaned freely and drooled on top of Ren.
“R-Ren, ah!” He cried out for the knight who could feel his tender opening squeezing around his tongue as he shoved it inside, lapping up each drop of the heavenly slick.
Ren had eventually gotten used to the effects of Dan Heng’s body, he no longer felt as strongly affected as the first time they did this but his body and mind still buzzed with intense and raw desire anytime he got a taste, suppressing the need to drive his member inside of Dan Heng’s heavenly heat had become easier too… somewhat easier, manageable. Gods his face must be a mess right now, he thought as he steadily brought Dan Heng to yet another climax, painting his face with another wave of his juices.
As Dan Heng rode out his orgasm with small rolls of his hips and shudders he reached for Ren’s hands that were tightly squeezing his soft thighs. He moved to sit atop the knights chest, panting heavily as he intertwined their fingers together. Ren stared mesmerized at the sight of Dan Heng’s slick dripping onto his chest, his pussy in full view, tempting and delicious. Dan Heng however instead of moving to sit back on his face or turning around to suck him off like he usually would, scanned their intertwined hands, curious, contemplative.
Ren knew that face well, Dan Heng was up to something. “Everything alright my love?” He inquired as he slowly stroked Dan Heng’s inner thigh, moving his palm to the small of his back to support his upper body and lazily rubbing the sensitive spot above his tail.
The dragon shuddered but relaxed into the touch. He was always so beautiful in the throes of pleasure. Eyes half lidded, a rosy pink painting the planes of his cheeks and the tips of his pointy ears. Ren also recently took notice of the slight glow of his horns whenever Dan Heng was beginning to feel overstimulated or heavily aroused.
“Ren…” Dan Heng had begun, however the answer to his question never came.
Instead the dragon slowly guided the knights fingers near his entrance, maneuvering them around to his liking, running them along his wet folds, slicking them up and slightly pushing one inside himself all the while maintaining heavy eye contact with the stunned knight, expectant eyes sparkling in a silent plea.
Without saying a word, Ren slowly inserted one finger inside the heat, gods he had been so tight, up to the third knuckle, observing Dan Heng’s expression as it went from one of pleading to that of pleasure. Ren began experimentally moving, slowly as to not cause discomfort. “Do you like that?”
“Yes…” Dan Heng breathed out, chest rising and falling as he writhed on top of the knight, supporting himself by leaning back and taking hold of Ren’s muscled thighs.
That’s all the confirmation Ren needed to slowly insert another finger, mindful not to cause discomfort, but gods Dan Heng had been so wet already. Ren always suspected Dan Heng naturally produced an unusual amount of slick and assumed it must be a unique trait of his species. It certainly made things a lot easier in many aspects.
Ren focused on caressing Dan Heng’s velvety textured walls with the pads of his fingers, keeping an even pace as the dragon moaned above him throwing his head back, dark teal tipped hair cascading down his shoulders and translucent horns glowing in the dim light of the cave, angelic face twisted in pleasure. The lighting painted his milky skin in a soft glow.
“Faster.” He pleaded, shy and out of breath.
Ren obliged, thrusting his fingers at a faster pace and just as he angled them upwards a little he heard Dan Heng make a high pitched noise that definitely wasn’t human. Fascinated with his new discovery of the dragons special spot Ren kept aiming for it, moving his thumb up to start stroking Dan Heng’s clit simultaneously and that’s when the boy lost it. Toppling over the edge once more with a loud and high moan, tail spasming erratically.
Even though Dan Heng had collapsed on top of him after, he was ready to go again after just a few minutes of tender kissing, which Ren had to say no to, “You have to rest your body otherwise you’ll be sore later.” He chastised playfully.
Dan Heng gave him a stern look as Ren licked the leftover slick from his own fingers but obliged nonetheless.
***
Back to the present, the knight sat by the bank of one of the alleys rivers, enjoying the calm scenery of smoothly running waters, the forest around them and a dragon, leaping, diving and playing around in his natural element. Ren smiled fondly at the sight, he rarely got to see Dan Heng in his dragon form but the sight never failed to leave him feel like he was in the presence of a god, otherworldly and celestial.
The same dragon he was ordered to kill.
The knight quickly shut his mind off before it could delve into a spiral and focused on Dan Heng again, who was making his way towards him with a massive sweet water fish between his fangs…
The dragon took upon a humanoid form again, cradling the now dead fish in his arms and presenting it to the knight excitedly, with a big smile on his lips.
“I got this for you!” Dan Heng exclaimed.
Ren eyed the massive fish up and down. “We already had lunch today my love.”
Dan Heng looked a little dejected, “Hmph, fine.” He pouted and threw the fish back in the water, letting it be carried away by the current to be later eaten by other predators. He dove back under water and vanished for a while once more.
Dan Heng would sometimes go overboard with trying to make Ren happy, either by finding food for him, insisting on helping him bathe or picking the prettiest water lilies for him, and he would always have a look of silent joy across his face when Ren accepted his gifts. When Ren would tease him about it he would only avert his gaze, changing the subject to another topic, blushing slightly. Ren found it incredibly cute.
A few moments later the knight spotted familiar blue horns peaking from beneath the surface of the water making his way towards him. Dan Heng emerged and kneeled next to him in the soft grass. He was holding a small multicolored seashell in his palms. “Those are rare, I rarely find them with this many colors.”
“I want you to have it!”
Ren took the seashell from Dan Heng, inspecting it. “It is quite unique.” He smiled, “Thank you Dan Heng.”
The dragon looked overjoyed as he often did when the knight liked something he brought him and laid on his lap, getting comfortable.
“What’s it like in the world of humans?”
Ren hummed in thought, while Dan Heng would often ask him questions, per his usual curious nature, they were usually specific about certain topics or curiosities he had from books, he had never asked such a general question regarding the outside world before.
“There is no simple answer to that.” The knight began as he gently carded his fingers through Dan Heng’s hair. “But the simplest way I could describe it is, it’s grey.”
“Gray?”
Ren hummed. “People aren’t that different from animals you see, often driven by selfishness and greed. While the human world can be beautiful and lively it can also be evil. Humans are often torn between being good or succumbing to their selfish desires and committing atrocities that harm others.”
“But who gets to decide what’s good and what’s bad?” Dan Heng asked.
The knight chuckled. “That is a good question, one no one has the answer to.”
The dragon hummed in thought.
“How is it that you’ve never left this alley Dan Heng?” Ren asked, more out of concern than curiosity, recalling the conversation that had at the beginning of his stay.
“I did try…, a few times. I’m not a prisoner I can leave but…” Dan Heng trailed off. “The moment I got far enough I got the feeling that I shouldn’t, that it’s not safe so I always went back, eventually.”
“And it turns out I was right, humans want me dead.” Dan Heng continued, although the nonchalant way he said that should raise concern, Ren disregarded it.
“It’s alright I suppose.” Dan Heng said softly while toying with the fluffy tip of his long tail. “I have you now so I’m not sad anymore.” He beamed up at the knight.
Ren smiled fondly. “Were you sad before i came into your life?”
Dan Heng got up and sat in the knights lap, leaning his back against his strong chest, overlooking the calm waters of the wide river that reflected the blue sky like mirror image, Ren eagerly hugged his figure close to him.
“I was.” Came the soft reply.
“And I will be sad when you leave again…”
Ah.
Right, he needed to go back… he has yet to fulfill his duty and repay his debt to the king.
Oh how much that reminder stung…
Ren sighed. He tilted Dan Heng’s head towards him, placing small kisses along his cheek and neck. “We still have time, my love.” He said as he pulled the dragon into a languid kiss.
Time.
He had nothing but time in this cruel world and if his love wished so, he would give him everything. Ren was ready to devote his life to this magnificent creature that entered his life so suddenly and kept holding onto him like a lifeline, whispering silent pleas into the night and offering him everything the dragon had. If keeping Dan Heng as his meant staying in this secluded alley for the rest of eternity then Ren shall burn every obstacle in his way, king be damned. He was in way too deep and there is no way out for a fool like him.
Dan Heng might have fallen for him but Ren fell harder.
***