The air around him crackles with anticipation and Estinien’s back arches as a draconic tongue breaches him, hot breath against his arse as it pushes and pushes and pushes, lapping and opening him and by the Fury, it feels so fucking good why does it feel good when he is no dragon but a man trapped screaming inside his own head as he is ridden by the one who he has sworn to kill-
The tongue is removed and Estinien breathes out, and then whatever breath he manages to suck back in is forced from him with the fat, blunt head of a dragon’s dick and he knows not the name of this dragon save for that he is silvered and large and oh so comely, and he is trying so hard to win Nidhogg’s esteem, to make more minions for his master, and if he so happens to enjoy fucking into this willing-unwilling body beneath him then all the better.
Estinien’s voice comes out in a ragged howl as the dick presses further into him, inexorable in its progress until he can feel it breaching him, can see it bulging into his belly if he looks down (and oh he tries not to look down but he cannot help it, it draws his gaze with wicked fascination the way that the ridge of that dick pushes up against him and bulges his skin).
He claws at the dragon’s belly but he has scales like armour and Estinien cannot break past them and besides, the dragon does not care - nay he does not even notice, save for the fact that his mate is moving so deliciously beneath him. He increases the speed of his thrusts, claws digging into the ground either side of Estinien’s head as he begins to croon with pleasure, and then all Estinien can feel is a sudden flood of hot wetness and his belly bulges even more as it fills him up more than he could ever handle, and then, just as suddenly, he is bereft as the silvered dragon pulls out of him, leaving him wet and panting and gasping, clutching after the scaled one as he paces away, settles to lick himself clean after his exertions.
Estinien sees movement out of the corner of his eye, green scales flashing in the afternoon sunlight this time, and he does not even have the energy to raise his head as this dragon fucks into him straight away. He notices with faraway amusement that this one’s dick is scalloped at the head; flatter and broader, and after the initial pop it tapers off. He has a second to think about why that is and then this dragon is flooding him with seed too, and Estinien laughs fiercely even as tears force their way from his eyes when this dick hurts more on the way out than in, and then sunlight forces its way into his eyes and he sinks back into himself and-
gentle hands at his back, soft sheets surrounding him; the scent of someone he knows and loves, by the Fury loves so much and so fiercely it could kill him, and Estinien opened his eyes, blinked away the sleep and the nightmare, and turned his face to Gaius like a flower to the sunlight. He buried his head into Gaius’ chest, breathing deeply as his body adjusted to reality again, as the trembling slowly ceased and he got a hold of himself enough to speak without betraying the shake of his voice and the lump in his throat.
Gaius held him, one hand rubbing soothing circles across his back. “Take your time,” he said, voice pitched low and soothing, “we have all the time in the world, love.”
Estinien smiled against his chest. “It was a bad one,” he managed, and took a moment to be proud that his voice didn’t shake.
“Yes, I thought as much.” Gaius kissed the top of Estinien’s head, still holding him close. “You’re safe,” he murmured into Estinien’s hair, hands still gentling across his back. “I have you.”
“I know you do.” Estinien took a few shaky breaths, then tilted his face up to regard Gaius, eyes still hazy with sleep. “Sorry for waking you, old man.” He grinned lop-sidedly, tamping down the residual unsettlement of the night and focusing on the warmth of Gaius’ arms around him and the soft fuzz of his chest hair against Estinien’s cheek.
“Don’t worry about it, the thrice-damned birds were waking me anyway. Whoever said living in nature was something to aspire to should be shot, because they clearly had no idea what the hell they were talking about.”
“Yes well, I know you need your beauty sleep and all.” Estinien took another breath and then propped himself upright on his elbow, reaching out to trace Gaius’ face and paying special attention to the corners of his eyes which wrinkled ever so slightly whenever he smiled. The grey in his hair was particularly evident where the dawn light shone onto it, and Estinien brushed against it with his fingertips.
“I think no amount of sleep will get that back, I’m afraid,” Gaius chuckled, though he knew well enough the effect he had on Estinien and apparently a whole swathe of others throughout his life. “Now, can I interest you in breakfast? I know you’re not one for early mornings and all, but since we’re awake?”
“Hm, I suppose I could eat something. Coffee?”
“Of course.” Gaius bent and kissed Estinien’s temple and then pried himself from the bed, stretching off the stiffness of the night before grabbing his gown and tossing Estinien’s onto the bed for him. “I’ll go get coffee started. Take your time.”
“Don’t touch breakfast, I’ll make it. I’ve suffered through enough of your burnt pancakes to trust you with it any more.” Estinien folded his hands into the softness of his robe before sitting up and pulling it on. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and watched appreciatively as Gaius left the room; even though he could only see his legs for the robe, they were very good legs, and even so the shape of his arse was still evident, and Estinien always appreciated a view of that.
He sauntered into the kitchen and wrapped both arms around Gaius’ waist as he finished getting the coffee machine set up.
“I think there’s a letter on the table for you,” Gaius said, pointing over his shoulder. “One of these days we really need to sort out that window if the mail moogles keep on getting in so easily.”
“Either that or set some kind of traps.” Estinien shuffled over to the table and sat down, all thoughts of breakfast gone. “Wonder who this is from. I don’t know anyone who’d send me letters…”
Gaius grabbed a pair of cups from the cupboard and set them aside. “Maybe if you opened it, you’d find out.”
“Ha ha, you’re hilarious.” He slit open the wax seal with his thumb and unfolded the parchment - it stank of chocobo, and a little piece of yellow down floated out from the inside to land on the table. The letter was written in a somewhat homely scratch, as though the author didn’t get much chance to practice their lettering on a regular basis, and the outside was addressed to ‘The Crimson Dragoon’.
My friend , it read, I hope this letter finds you well. I have been visiting with others of Hraesvelgr’s brood at Anyx Trine and there is something here which I believe you should know. Please make haste and meet me here, and all will be made clear.
Your friend, Orn Khai.
PS: if you happen to have any of that squid from Kugane I should be mightily pleased if you were to bring it along. I would even sear it for you!
Estinien set down the letter and ran a hand through his hair. “It’s from Orn Khai,” he said as Gaius sat down opposite him and handed over a mug of coffee. “He has something to tell me, and he wants me to go to Anyx Trine to meet him.”
“Anyx Trine? That’s a long way to go for a conversation.”
“Aye.” Estinien tapped the mug with his fingernails. “Mayhaps it’s something he doesn’t want to commit to paper, in case of outsiders intercepting the letter.”
“Hmm, perhaps. Letters are hardly the peak of security.”
Estinien sighed. “I’m only surprised someone hasn’t popped up from the planters to drag me off on a mission for this long. It was only a matter of time, I suppose.” He picked up the coffee and took a long draught.
“So you’re going, then?”
“ We’re going, thank you very much. I’ll not suffer Dravania alone, and I’d hardly leave you back here to get into trouble and what have you.”
Gaius snorted. “Trouble, is it? Hmm.” He sipped at his own coffee, eyeing Estinien over the top of his mug.
“I can see it now; Eorzea’s latest in a long line of heroes, breaking down our door to get at the infamous Black Wolf. It’d be all over the papers before I’d even got halfway.”
“Yes, and not to mention how much our carpeting would get ruined.” Gaius scuffed the carpet with his bare toe. “And us only just having had it put down, too.”
“See? Not worth the trouble, you’re better off just coming with me.”
Gaius smirked. “When you put it that way, how can I refuse.” His stomach growled, and he eyed Estinien. “So, what was that about breakfast? There’s leftover pancake batter in the pantry, and some rolanberries too, I believe.”
“Very well, point taken,” Estinien grumbled, but he smiled as he stood, tightening the belt of his robe to stop it from falling open. “Pancakes with rolanberries coming right up. Would you care for some birch syrup as well?”
“Sounds good to me.” Gaius leaned back in his chair and crossed one leg atop his thigh, sipping on his coffee as he watched Estinien appreciatively. “I do like to watch you cook, you’re a marvel in the kitchen.”
“A marvel, is it? Hmm.” Estinien pulled down the large, flat griddle and set it to heating atop the stove. “You’re only saying that because I provide you with sustenance.”
“You tasted my efforts on the road,” Gaius said with a raised eyebrow, “I’d not put you through that again.”
“And I’d not put my tastebuds though it, either. I’m happy to cook, as you well know.” He shot a grin over his shoulder as he fetched the jug of batter - it always was better the day after, with some time to rest. “Your efforts notwithstanding, I would do it anyway.”
“And I am full glad for it.”
It wasn’t long before the aroma of cooking pancakes filled the air, and Estinien hummed under his breath as he poured and flipped, transferring them onto a plate as each finished cooking. Once the batter was finished and the last pancake cooked, he split them onto two plates and piled them with rolanberries and lashings of birch syrup before ambling back over to the table and sliding over Gaius’ portion.
They both set to eating with a will; the only sound their industrious chewing, the gentle clink of knives and forks against porcelain and the not-so-distant birdsong from the garden.
“Do you want to set off today?” Gaius asked as he set down his knife and fork. He finished off his cooled coffee with a gulp. “We could make good time, I imagine.”
“Assuming we haven’t gotten out of shape by being so cosy and domestic this whole time.” Estinien smirked over his own cup of coffee.
“Considering the marathon amounts of sex we’ve been having, on top of all the sparring, I feel like we’ll be in good stead still.”
“Hmm, well, we’ll soon find out.” Estinien finished his coffee and stood, stretching his arms above his head. “Well, I’m for the shower. Sort the dishes and meet me there?”
“Of course. Do try not to use all the hot water before I join you.”
“Would I?”
Gaius snorted at Estinien’s back as he sauntered out of the kitchen. He stood too, and collected their plates and mugs, rinsing them off before Estinien got into the shower and started hollering about who it really was using all the hot water.
The bathroom door was closed, and Gaius slid inside to find Estinien stood off to one side as the water pounded the shower floor. “Waiting for it to heat up,” he said by way of a hello, dabbing his hand under the stream to check the temperature.
Unfastening his robe, Gaius hung it on the back of the door and then stepped into the shower, wrapping both arms around Estinien and hustling them both under the spray. “There, see? Plenty warm, especially with me here.”
Estinien laid his head back against Gaius’ shoulder, eyes sliding closed as he enjoyed the hot water and the way that Gaius’ hands were stroking their way down his belly. “Getting in a little r and r before we set off, are we?”
“Mm, something like that.” Gaius took hold of Estinien’s rapidly-hardening dick and stroked it slowly, rubbed his thumb over the slit as his other hand dipped lower to caress his balls. “More like having a bit of fun in the warmth before we’re back to sleeping on the floor and washing off in a blasted stream with a wet cloth.”
“Yes, it’s hardly the most pleasant way to fuck either,” Estinien murmured, “soil everywhere, twigs up your arse and who knows what number of bears ready to really ruin your night.”
“Ah yes, I remember the bears…” Gaius trailed off, trying to forget the bears.
Estinien laughed. “Here, let me-” he shuffled, turning around and pressing Gaius up against the tiled wall, “there, that’s better. I’m not letting you have all the fun, you know.”
“Well, I would have hoped you’d be having fun as well,” Gaius replied, but anything else he may have said was lost as Estinien took hold of both their dicks and pumped them together.
“Hmm, not much lube,” Estinien murmured, dropping his head against Gaius’ shoulder, face curtained by his dampening hair, “will that be an issue?”
“If you keep going like that, no it won’t be an issue,” Gaius gasped. He reached around and took hold of Estinien’s arse, squeezing it as Estinien squeezed their dicks. They were both wet from the water and pre-come, and the deft movements of Estinien’s hand had Gaius groaning.
Steam enveloped them as they grinded lazily against each other; Gaius joined his hand with Estinien’s and his hips juddered as they stroked and squeezed, breath coming in hot pants until he couldn’t hold back any longer and he came across both their hands in thick ropes.
Estinien slid his fingers across to pick up some of Gaius’ come and used it as makeshift lube, jerking himself with single-minded effort until he came too, forehead pressed into Gaius’ shoulder. His lips curled up in a little smile, and he raised his head to kiss Gaius intently. “Good job we’re in the shower,” he murmured.
Gaius chuckled, still breathing a little heavy from his orgasm. “Maybe we should fuck in here every time, it certainly makes cleanup a hell of a lot easier.” He pushed off the wall and sidled into the spray of hot water, pulling Estinien gently along with him until they were both sideways under the shower.
Reaching up behind Gaius, Estinien grabbed the soap and lathered it up with both hands, then rubbed the bar against Gaius’ chest, making even more bubbles among his chest hair. “Not too sure about that, I like the comfort too much.” He scrubbed industriously at Gaius’ chest, rubbing all the way across and down his belly too, paying extra attention to his hips
“Good point, you’re like a cat sometimes.” Gaius leaned into Estinien’s rubbing, lips curled in a pleased smile. “Mm that feels good.”
“Now who’s like a cat?” Estinien snorted, but he continued his ministrations until Gaius was clean of come and sweat. “Your turn,” he said, and pressed the soap bar into Gaius’ hand.
“Very well.” Gaius obliged, and soon they were both clean. He put the soap back on the shelf and twined his arms around Estinien’s waist, holding him close as they savoured the shower. “I must admit, I’m not savouring the idea of camping all over again. I had thought perhaps we were done with that for quite some time. Foolish of me.”
“Indeed, you should have realised we could never have a peaceful life. After all, we never would have met were it not for those blasted Scions chasing me down in Kugane.”
“Well I for one am thankful that they did.”
“Halone’s tits, you are a dreadful old sap.”
Gaius laughed. “If I am, ‘tis you who’s made me this way.” He pressed a kiss to Estinien’s temple. “Are you going to wash your hair before we go? Want a hand?”
Estinien grunted and leaned into the kiss. “Please. It sends my knees weak when you wash my hair.”
“Now who’s the sap?”
“Hmph.” Estinien just reached behind Gaius again and handed him the shampoo. “Get on with it, old man.”
“Alright, alright.” Gaius poured out a goodly amount of shampoo and lathered it up, tipping it onto Estinien’s head with one hand as he put the bottle back away on the shelf with the other. Estinien turned around and Gaius got on with his task, sinking both hands into Estinien’s hair and rubbing the shampoo deep into his roots and scalp. He smiled as he heard Estinien’s low groan, and increased the pressure until he was basically massaging his scalp.
He scooped up the rest of Estinien’s hair and rubbed it against the lather atop his head until it was all thoroughly soaped up, and then continued to rub hard until Estinien had to basically hold himself up against the wall with both hands.
“Close your eyes, now.” Gaius pushed Estinien’s head gently forward until it was under the shower and rinsed out the shampoo. “Can you grab the conditioner for me?”
“Sure,” Estinien replied, voice slurred with pleasure. He fumbled on the shelf for the differently-shaped bottle and passed it back, before straightening up enough to push the hair back out of his eyes.
Gaius squeezed out even more of the conditioner and transferred it straight onto Estinien’s head before it escaped his grasp, passing back the bottle and then going to work once more. This time he used his fingers, but gently ran them through the whole length of Estinien’s hair, coating it liberally with the thick conditioner, and then he leaned both arms over Estinien’s shoulders and rinsed off his hands in the stream of water before turning Estinien round again for a long, slow kiss.
“Mmm, there’s water everywhere,” Estinien murmured against Gaius’ lips, a languid smile gracing his own. “Gonna get conditioner in your eyes, my love.” He slid both his hands down until they were in the small of Gaius’ back.
“I’ve had worse.” Gaius leaned in and nuzzled his third eye against Estinien’s forehead. “Have to let that sit a bit, right?”
Estinien snorted. “When did you become an expert on hair care? You barely have enough to worry about.”
“Well, you don’t get as old as me without knowing a few things,” Gaius chuckled, “and it may surprise you to learn, but my hair was much longer in my youth.”
Estinien’s eyes widened. “You’re kidding? Halone’s soapy tits, I’d love to see that .”
“Unfortunately, you’ll just have to use your imagination.” Gaius nuzzled Estinien again with a little smile. “Come now, let me get this rinsed and we can get out before we both become prunes.”
“Hmph, if we must. I could stay longer, but I suppose you have a point about the prunes.” Estinien tilted his head. “Do you want me to wash your hair, too?”
“Ah, if you wouldn’t mind.” Gaius leaned up and tipped Estinien’s head back gently, rinsing out all of the conditioner until his hair was clean of it.
Estinien returned the favour and just in time too, as the hot water began to slow. They shut off the taps before it got too cold and then exited, wrapping up in large, fluffy towels and then heading to the bedroom to dress and pack for the journey.
He groans as he rides the blue dragon, as it splits him open at his core, so hot and thick and so so sweet that he could ride it forever. The dragon is on his haunches, using his tail for balance and holding Estinien’s slender waist with his claws, tips digging in enough to draw blood but it does not hurt, it just adds an extra frisson to the way his dick is speared through Estinien as he rides it.
He feels that, at some point, he was not this thing that he is now. He was alone in his mind, maybe? Once upon a time, perhaps? His days were not taken up with the writhing of dragons and their thrusts inside him, and being filled with hot seed and something else, he doesn’t know what it is, but it fills him even fuller than ever and he cradles his belly as it bulges, now.
The blue dragon digs his claws in as his hips jerk one final time, and this time there is more blood and the metal tang of it fills Estinien’s nostrils, and he grins, feral, as he feels the slow, steady pump inside; the dragon’s dick swells and contracts and throbs until it is finished and Estinien can breathe once more as he is left bereft and empty, but no he is not empty is he? Not empty at all…
Estinien opened his eyes and breathed out, centering himself to the feel of Gaius’ arms around him, to the hard ground beneath them and whatever the fuck is poking him in the ribs from under his bedroll. The air smelled like rain, and if he concentrated, he could feel the tightening of air pressure in his head.
Gaius grunted as Estinien shifted, trying to move away from the pokey thing. “Is it morning already?” he murmured, sleep-blurred.
“Something like that. Smells like a storm, we should get moving.”
“Already? Hmph.” Gaius blinked and buried his face in the back of Estinien’s neck, breathing in the scent of his hair. “Don’t feel like a bit of rest this morning? I didn’t think walking in a storm would suit you.”
“I’ve had enough rest for the night thank you very much,” Estinien shook off Gaius’ arms and wriggled out of the bedroll, then sat up and stretched, hands brushing the low canopy of their tent.
“Ah, another nightmare, then.” Gaius reached out and squeezed Estinien’s thigh. “Perhaps we could kill something, take your mind off it.”
Estinien snorted, though the idea did have merit. “I wouldn’t say no to a fresh meat lunch, admittedly.”
“Mm, dried rations certainly lose their rosy glow after three days solid of them.”
“Did they ever have a glow, though? I suppose that’s how we know you’ve been in the army so long - your idea of a slap up meal is a packet of,” Estinien made air quotes, “‘meat flavoured’ trail rations followed by a swig of whatever godawful swill is in your canteen at the time.”
“Hey, that godawful swill got me through many a campaign, I’ll have you know.” Gaius shuffled out of the bedroll and went to his knees, rummaging about in his pack for some breakfast. “Now, can I interest you in banana flavour or would you prefer rolanberry?” He came up with a pair of ration bars and shook them under Estinien’s nose.
“Ugh, rolanberry I suppose.” Estinien took the bar and opened it, taking a sulky bite. He seemed unable to shake the unease of his nightmare, but the rush of sugar from the bar helped a little. No doubt slaughtering some beasts in the woods would help even more.
And then, of course, the heavens opened; fat raindrops falling atop the canvas of their tent and the scent of petrichor filtering through the gap. Estinien took a deep breath of it, eyes falling closed as he enjoyed the scent and the wafts of cool air.
He finished off his ration bar and crumpled up the waxed package, stuffing it into his travel pack. “Out into the weather then, I guess. It would have to swiving rain, wouldn’t it, when we’re in the middle of the fucking forest.”
“Well of course.” Gaius finished his own bar and tucked away the wrapper. “It wouldn’t be travelling without a bit of weather.” A roll of thunder sounded in the distance and he winced as it was chased by lightning a few seconds later. “Let’s just hope that it hasn’t driven all the beasts into their holes, or you won’t get anything to kill after all.”
Estinien smirked as he pulled on his coat. “Nay, I’ll just have to fight you instead. Although I’m not sure about eating you…” He raked his eyes up and down Gaius’ body, gaze lingering on his crotch. “Not here, at least.”
“Hmph, shame.” Gaius flashed a smirk as he pulled on his own coat and started to roll up their bedroll. The rain began to come down harder, and he squinted up at the tent canopy. “If we press on, we can probably get to Tailfeather before we get too soaked. At least we aren’t putting the tent up in this, although it’s small comfort.”
“Indeed.”
Between them, they made short work of gathering up their belongings and sorting their packs, and even through the storm it didn’t take too long to pack away the tent and tuck it into the straps under Estinien’s pack.
Of course, by the time they were finished and ready to move, they were both wet through, and Estinien glared up at the sky with a vengeance.
“For a place called the Chocobo Forest, there’s a decided lack of chocobos,” Gaius observed as they walked beneath the huge, looming trees.
“They’re probably hiding somewhere, the whoresons. Clearly got more sense than we do.”
“Mm, clearly.” Gaius shook his head and droplets of rain flew everywhere. He brushed a hand through it, pushing it back out of his face, the water keeping it slicked back a hell of a lot more than it normally would stay.
Estinien looked at him sidelong. “Your hair looks good like that.”
Gaius snorted. “It won’t stick. Never does.”
“Nonetheless, it’s a good look for you.” Estinien turned and yanked on the front of Gaius’ coat, tugging him in close for a deep kiss. They broke apart and he grinned toothily. “So since there’s a complete lack of game, what do you say we have a little spar.” He gestured around the forest, and pointed at a likely looking tree; four trunks split off like legs, and the fat section above with the canopy atop looked to provide a goodly amount of shelter for the purposes.
“Sounds like a fun time.” Gaius adjusted his pack and headed over to the tree, blowing rain off his nose with an upwards puff of breath. “Hope all this rain won’t slow you down.”
A roll of thunder sounded overhead and lightning flashed, brightening the darkened forest and sending a tingle of anticipation up Estinien’s spine. He unshouldered his pack and set it against the inner part of one of the trunk branches as Gaius did the same. “I think you’re more likely to be the one slowed down, old man.”
“Hmm, we’ll see.” Gaius took a step back and shook out his hands before reaching back to take hold of Heirbane’s hilt. He wrapped his fingers round it’s familiar grip, eyeing Estinien as he twirled his lance into a ready position.
They didn’t wait to salute, or any of that chivalrous bullshit; Estinien leapt into the sky from the tip of his lance, sending a shower of raindrops sparkling through the air, and Gaius sighed internally and leapt backwards, just in time to narrowly miss being caught, but not quite far enough that he didn’t get some sparks of heat on his coat.
Gaius pulled Heirsbane from his back and danced on his heels as Estinien darted in again. He parried the spear and they clashed, nose to nose, swaying as neither let up. Estinien’s eyes dropped to Gaius’ lips for a second and Gaius saw his opening, shoving forward until Estinien staggered, and whipping Heirsbane up and round in an arc.
The tip of the blade sliced through the front of Estinien’s coat and he bared his teeth in a growl, springing backwards gracefully to land with one foot against a tree trunk, poised to strike.
Gaius eyed Estinien’s foot, noting when it tensed, and brought up Heirsbane in the cross shape of Terminus Est. It lit up the clearing as it went flying towards Estinien’s tree, but instead of diving forward, Estinien had gone upwards, and he landed behind Gaius, whacking him in the back of the knee with the butt-edge of Gae Bolg. Gaius fell to his knees with a grunt, but turned it into a roll and spun to face Estinien once more.
“Too slow, old man,” Estinien ground out, twirling the spear til it was point down.
Gaius flashed him a grin and then leapt, barrelling directly into Estinien with his shoulder and all his weight behind it, slamming him into the closest tree trunk. He brought up Heirsbane and pressed the blade against Estinien’s throat, baring his teeth in another savage grin. His thigh shoved firmly against Estinien’s crotch, and he smiled even wider as he felt his stirring erection.
“Touché,” Estinien purred, and tipped his head back to regard Gaius down his nose. “You going to do anything about this?” he ground his hips in a filthy circle, eyes flickering with pleasure as his dick pressed up against Gaius’ substantial thigh. The blade just under his chin only served to excite him further and he swallowed hard, not failing to notice how the apple of his throat grazed the razor sharp edge of Heirsbane.
“Hmm, yes I was considering it,” Gaius murmured, tilting his head to regard Estinien, a smile hovering on his lips. “And you do make such a convincing argument in favour, too.” Gaius pressed his thigh firmer against Estinien’s crotch, smile widening a touch when he felt the hardness against him.
“Then allow me.” Estinien reached up and stabbed his spear directly into the tree above his head, so that it stuck out enough for him to hold onto. With both hands now free, he tugged open Gaius’ pants and yanked them down his thighs along with his underwear before turning his attentions to his own, managing to kick his way free of both pants and underwear in record time. He raised both hands, then, and gripped onto the spear haft above him, using it as leverage for him to lift both legs and wrap them about Gaius’ waist.
Gaius did not remove the sword at his throat save for allowing Estinien enough room to manoeuvre. “Ready?” he growled, and as Estinien nodded his assent, stuffed two of his gloved fingers into his mouth.
Estinien’s eyes widened and he tightened his grip on the spear, tasting the well-worn leather of Gaius’ gloves; the scent of the oil Gaius used for maintenance of his weapon and his leathers going straight to the part of his brain that now associated the smell with sex. He jerked his hips and bit down on Gaius’ fingers, eyes urging him on.
“Hmph, you’re feisty today. Is it because you lost our little spar, perhaps?” Gaius’ eyes twinkled under his brows, and he pushed his fingers deeper into Estinien’s mouth, stroking against his tongue as Estinien let his jaw relax.
Estinien couldn’t stop himself from grinding against Gaius’ crotch, tightening his legs around Gaius’ waist, pulling him in even closer and grunting deep in his throat when Gaius responded in kind, thrusting against his dick until the pressure made Estinien’s eyes roll back in pleasure.
With a hint of impatience, Gaius removed his fingers from Estinien’s mouth with a filthy, wet sound. “Enough lube for you?” he rasped, and when Estinien nodded, he went straight for Estinien’s arse, pushing two fingers inside to the knuckle before his gloves dried off.
“Ngh, fuck!” Estinien bucked against Gaius, lifting his hips to allow him better access. He let go of his spear with one hand and stuffed his fingers into his mouth, wetting them thoroughly before reaching down and slicking up Gaius’ dick, already leaking and so fucking hard . “Enough,” he hissed, “get inside me, Wolf.”
“As you command, my dragon,” Gaius growled, baring his teeth as he pulled his fingers from Estinien’s arse and pumped his dick a few times to spread the slick from his leaking pre-come. He pushed up against Estinien’s entrance and then sheathed himself in one hard snap of his hips, shoving Estinien hard against the tree and making him reach up again and hold onto his spear haft for dear life.
Estinien canted his hips upwards and Gaius’ dick hit him right in the good spot and he saw fucking stars , and then doubly so when Gaius began to fuck him mercilessly, never moving Heirsbane from his throat or letting it so much as quiver, such was his control over the blade.
The edge of Heirsbane against his skin had Estinien panting; he could feel the graze of it when he swallowed hard, the apple of his throat scraping against the razor sharp edge and the trickle of blood it drew hitting his nose like the scent of fresh prey, and how would he remember that save for in his dreams and nightmares? He almost succumbed to the darkness of those memories, but Gaius, seemingly with a sixth sense, took hold of his dick with his gloved hand and started to stroke it in time with his thrusts, and Estinien was grounded again, and he was safe, and Gaius would never hurt him unless Estinien asked for it, and oh- he jerked under Gaius’ ministrations and came apart, shaking into his orgasm as he held onto Gaius for dear life with his legs and trying with all his might to not move and slit his own throat open on Heirsbane at the same time.
Gaius fucked him through his orgasm without yielding for a second, milking him for every last drop of come until Estinien sagged against the tree, head rolled back onto the rough bark as he rode the sensation of being so over-stimulated, the tightness of Gaius’ gloved hand still around his dick, the relentless pounding of his dick against Estinien’s prostate and the sharp sting of Heirsbane at his throat. He may have come once more before Gaius finally cried out, hips jerking as he emptied himself, but Estinien wasn’t sure - too blissed out, too fucked out to care.
The rain continued to fall around them, and Estinien came round to gentle hands cupping his face, brushing damp hair out of his eyes and a soft kiss to his forehead. He appeared to be sitting on the floor, and the scent of wet leaves filled his nose. He blinked up at Gaius and smiled, slow and sated. “You’re such a mother hen sometimes,” he slurred, head deliciously empty of the residue of nightmares. For now, at least.
“Then let me be a mother hen.” He pulled a handkerchief from a pocket and, using a small puddle next to them to dampen the cloth, wiped Estinien down fastidiously, dick and arse both, before turning attention to himself. This done, he pulled up Estinien’s underwear and pants and got him all laced up, then his own clothes, and then he stood and tucked away the soiled handkerchief back in its pocket. “Are you able to stand?” He held out a hand for Estinien, who snorted and then took it, pulling himself up on slightly wobbly legs.
“What do you think.” He gripped onto Gaius’ shoulder for a second, then straightened up, tugging at his clothes until they were comfortable again. He reached up and tugged Gae Bolg out of the tree, dusting off the bits of tree dust with the edge of his sleeve before sheathing it at his back. “So, shall we press on?”
Gaius pulled Heirsbane from the ground where he’d stuck it and slung it on his back too, before glancing up at the sky which showed no signs of bating. “I suppose now is as good a time as any, since it doesn’t look like we’ll miss the rain whether we wait or not.”
“Well, ‘tis not far anyway.” Estinien shouldered his pack and exited the little clearing with only a little reluctance, holding out one hand to catch the rain as he did. It felt pleasant and cool against his skin, and he smiled to himself.
“Lead the way, then.” Gaius followed, and leaned in close to nudge Estinien’s shoulder with his own.
They continued along the path shoulder to shoulder in comradely silence until they came upon the entrance to Tailfeather. Walking under it’s arch brought back a flood of memories to Estinien, and he reached down to take hold of Gaius’ hand without a word.
Gaius squeezed it, and said nothing in return. Estinien would speak of the pain, if he felt it necessary; and if not, well he would be there for him anyway. He looked around at the little village and inhaled the scent of damp chocobo, then shook the excess rain from his hair, for what little good it did.
“We should find some accommodation, out of this rain,” Estinien murmured. He glanced around at the buildings and then, after a pause, pulled Gaius towards a larger one which had the look of an inn about it, though the place did not look big enough to necessitate one.
“At least for long enough to dry off, aye.” Gaius followed with a will, “and I imagine your Orn Khai will appear before long, to finally give up this secret of his.”
“Mm,” Estinien replied, “I’m not sure whether I’ll like this particular secret, if I’m honest.” He pushed open the door to the larger building and they stepped inside to a wash of pleasant heat and the scent of stew and a fire burning in the hearth.
“I suppose there’s only one way to find out.”
“Aye, I’ll send a message as soon as we’re dry.” Estinien’s stomach rumbled and he shifted awkwardly. “For now though, let us eat and rest a little.”
“Couldn’t agree more.”
The fireside was comfortable, and Estinien leaned back against Gaius’ legs as they sat and dried off, pleasantly full after a large bowl of stew and hunk of fresh bread apiece. Gaius’ hand idly rested against Estinien’s head, fingers rubbing his scalp unconsciously as he gazed into the fire. The chair Gaius sat in was old and worn, and the cushion Estinien was using on the floor was a little threadbare, but none of those things mattered in that moment.
Estinien turned his head up to regard Gaius from under his brows, lips curled in a lazy smile. “I could sit here forever,” he murmured, angling his head so that Gaius could get better purchase with his fingers.
“Aye, for a small place I’ve certainly seen worse.” Gaius rubbed his fingertips down the side of Estinien’s head, right in the good spot behind his ear. “Do you think Orn Khai will be long? I know that fellow certainly seemed in a rush to deliver your message.”
“Yes, well a thousand gil will do that to a man in a backwater like this.” Estinien smirked lop-sidedly. “If I remember rightly, Anyx Trine is not too far from here, so depending on the fleetness of his chocobo, I wouldn’t expect him to be too late.”
“If we sit here much longer, I may fall asleep on you.”
“Not if I fall asleep on you first. At least there’s no one else here to disturb the peace.”
“I suppose that’s what happens when there’s a storm out and no other business on the horizon. Everyone else will be warming themselves by their fires, much as we are, I imagine.”
“Mm, I expect so.” Estinien’s eyes closed like a satisfied cat, basking in the warmth and the gentle attention. He barely even roused when the door to the little shack banged open and a tiny dragon flapped inside, bringing a draft and some of the weather with him. “Close the door behind you,” Estinien called out, shivering as the chill blew past them, “you’re letting the storm in, Orn Khai.”
The little dragon turned and pushed the door closed with all his might, panting a little once he was finished. He flapped over and perched on the floor in front of the fire, spreading his wings to catch the heat and dry himself off. “Crimson Dragoon, I am full glad to see you, though I wish I could welcome you to Dravania in more clement weather.”
Estinien opened his eyes and lifted his head, smiling at Orn Khai. “And I you, friend. It has been some time, you are looking well.”
Gaius cleared his throat above, and Estinien inclined his head towards him.
“Ah, but where are my manners. Orn Khai, this is my- ah, my Bondmate, Gaius.” He flushed slightly, willing everyone to believe it was from the fire alone. “Gaius, this is Orn Khai, you have heard me tell of him and his mother, Faunehm. Our mutual friend Neroe and I helped Orn Khai to reunite her with his father.”
“It’s good to finally meet you,” Gaius replied, raising a hand in greeting. “I hope you didn’t get too wet on the way here.”
“Nothing a bit of fire won’t solve.” Orn Khai tucked his wings in and wrapped his tail around himself as he settled back onto his haunches. “You must be fair curious why I summoned you here with such haste,” he began, gesturing with his short forearms.
Gaius moved a hand to Estinien’s shoulder, giving it a steadying squeeze as he sat more upright. “Yes, I had been wondering, although I admit… I may have some suspicions.” And if those suspicions happened to be related to a certain set of nightmares he’d been plagued with, well he certainly wasn’t going to be airing those to anyone, and no mistake. Not even Gaius, though he would be understanding and compassionate - all the things Estinien could not deal with in the face of that history.
“Upon my arrival to Anyx Trine, I could not help but notice a small clutch of dragonets who bore a shocking resemblance to you, my friend. They are silver of scale, with eyes as blue as the sky after the rains, and, even more curiously for dragonets, are graced with manes of quicksilver hair the likes of which we haven’t seen for quite some time in draconic history.”
“Quicksilver hair, you say…” Estinien’s voice was faint, and he stared straight past Ohn Khai and into the flames dancing in the hearth.
“Quite. When I happened to mention knowing of such a man with strikingly similar features, they all began to clamour to meet you at once. I knew I could not keep this a secret from you, my friend-” Orn Khai paused, noticing that Estinien was no longer responding. “Ser Estinien, are you well? I do hope this news has not come as too much of a shock to you.” His fluttered his wings in agitation. “If I had but known- ah I do apologise. Is there aught I can do to help?”
“To help? Nay friend,” Estinien reached out and patted the distressed dragonet on his tiny shoulder. “There is no need, ‘tis but something I need to work out by myself. Thank you for bringing this news, I-” he swallowed. “I will be full glad to meet the children, though… perhaps tomorrow, if that would suit.”
Orn Khai visibly perked up, and he nodded sharply, mouth widening in the draconic imitation of a smile. For once, he refrained from performing a backflip, seated as he was. “Aye, I shall take word back to them at once. Would you care to meet at Anyx Trine on the morrow, perhaps?”
Gaius squeezed Estinien’s shoulder again. “Perhaps the afternoon,” he offered, “it has been a long journey here, and I do not know about Ser Estinien, but I for one would enjoy a morning of not travelling.”
Estinien inclined his head up towards Gaius without replying, but the half-quirk of his mouth was all the thanks he needed.
“The afternoon it is then. Well, I believe I am sufficiently warmed, I shall leave you two to a peaceful night. I am full glad to have met you, Ser Gaius. I know if you are the Crimson Dragoon’s Bondmate, then you must be a man worth the knowing.” Orn Khai leapt into the air and hovered there for a moment, raising a foreleg in a wave before darting off once more.
Once he had left their shack, closing the door behind him with less of a struggle than when he’d entered, Estinien sagged back against Gaius’ legs, still gazing into the fire. “This… was not unexpected,” he began, and then clenched his fingers against his thigh, wishing not for the first time that explaining his hurts and worries came easier to him. What would it be like, to be the kind of person who could spill their thoughts and cares whenever they needed to? Hah. Never the kind of person Estinien had been, and not one that he would ever be…
“There’s no need to explain, if it causes you pain.” Gaius slid off the chair and shuffled next to Estinien, tugging him down until his head lay in Gaius’ lap. He made himself comfortable, and began to run his fingers through Estinien’s hair, combing it through and neatening the rain-dampened tangles as Estinien laid there, eyes closed but face troubled, still, though it did begin to ease a little as Gaius worked.
“‘Tis not that,” he said eventually, turning his head sideways to look once more into the flames. “More that… I know not how to proceed. Dragonets!” Estinien made an aborted gesture with his hands, and Gaius couldn’t help but smile down at him. “How in all the hells am I supposed to deal with that? There isn’t a mothering bone in my body, or a fathering bone for that matter. What if they want to- I don’t know. What if they want to come home with us, Gaius? What then?”
Gaius snorted out a laugh. “Well, we both know that Ishgard is becoming slowly more welcoming to dragonkind, thanks to Neroe’s efforts with that other youngling-” He snapped his fingers, trying to remember the name.
“Ehll Tou.”
“Yes, Ehll Tou, my thanks. But I do believe you’re getting ahead of yourself, my love. They wish to meet you, there is nothing to say that they will also wish to return home with us.” He finished with Estinien’s hair and settled one palm against his cheek, toasted to warm pinkness by the fire. “But if they do, then it will be a challenge we will face together. And do not forget,” he smiled, brows crinkling with warmth, “I myself am more than aware of how to be a father, though the less said of my success in that matter the better, I believe.”
Estinien grinned wryly. “Well perhaps between the two of us we would muddle something together, somehow.”
“Indeed. Though again, we are putting the cart before the chocobo. One step at a time, no? First, we will continue to enjoy this fire and the rustic charms of Tailfeather. We will sleep, and have a lazy morning together,” he bent over and kissed Estinien’s cheekbone, “and perhaps I can distract you further from your worries before we go to Anyx Trine in the afternoon.”
Estinien turned his face upwards to meet Gaius lips and kissed him back, sucking on his bottom lip with a little groan. “You are truly insatiable,” he murmured between kisses, eyes fluttering closed as Gaius deepened the kiss further, the different angle and orientation making him dizzy with want.
“Now now, I did not say how I would distract you, Ser.” Gaius smiled against Estinien’s lips and brought up his other hand to cup his face with both hands. “Perhaps we shall spend the morning cleaning and sharpening every one of my knives, and Heirsbane too.”
He smiled back at Gaius, feeling warm and content, now, even after the bombshell that Orn Khai had brought down upon him. “Throw in Gae Bolg and you have a deal. I do mislike rain upon my weaponry.”
- - -
He is on his side, now, curled around his belly and clutching it tightly, hands roaming over the array of hard lumps pressing outwards, ever outwards. He cannot see what it looks like, cannot bring himself to look at the mess that is his body, now, and then another dragon is behind him, scooping him up in too-short arms and holding him close as its dick slides inside - how can it fit there’s no room he’s full to the brim with eggs - but inside it goes, ties him off with a knot even bigger than the others and fuck he can feel its thighs quiver and quicken, jerking against him as its dick swells.
Something round and hard and unyielding makes its way up and up, inexorable as the tides as it forces its way past his entrance, made flexible from all the use it’s seen of late, and Estinien can’t hold in the burbling groan that falls from his lips as the egg - for he knows, now, that they are eggs indeed - nudges its way past his prostate, ripping another orgasm from his exhausted body as it slides deeper inside, oh ever deeper, and then nestles in among the rest like it belongs there.
This dragon is gentle as it finishes up. Its knot subsides and it slides out of Estinien with no trouble, and then replaces dick with tongue as it cleans him; licking his own come off his stretched and bulging belly and paying careful attention to the blood and fluids down his thighs and around his entrance.
Estinien’s hips jerk as he realises there’s something in this dragon’s saliva; it is thickening up as more of it floods out of the dragon’s mouth, and Estinien lets out a hoarse noise as it settles into him like a plug, filling him in a way unlike any of the countless dicks he’s taken until it closes him off entirely. The eggs inside him settle comfortably, pushed against each other by the saliva pouring and solidifying into his body and he knows there is no way out of this, there’s nothing for him to do save to lay there curled around his belly - nay, his brood - and wait for the nightmare to be over.
He feels a pair of warm arms around him; warm arms and a smell so achingly familiar that it draws tears from his eyes for the thing he can not have. The arms are not real, and Estinien shakes his head, trying to dismiss the cruel ghosts but it persists, holding him tighter and kissing his head and rubbing his arms gently, so fucking gently, and-
“Hush,” Gaius murmured, stroking Estinien’s hair as his eyes flew open, terror writ large upon his face. “You’re safe, ‘tis just me. We’re in Tailfeather, and the morning is young yet. I have you.”
Estinien trembled and clutched onto Gaius’ arm, holding him around the chest like the safest of anchors. “Orn Khai was right,” he croaked, throat still sore from the nightmare, “they are mine. My-” he took a deep breath, “my brood. I remember it all, Gaius.” His voice went low, and he turned his face into the pillow to hide his shame. “Every fucking minute of it.”
“Then the not knowing cannot hurt you any longer.” Gaius held onto Estinien, letting him have his distance still, despite the fingers digging into his forearm which told a conflicting story. “The memories have no power over you. All you can do is confront the result of them, and make them a part of you.”
“Would you say as much, if t’were you being pumped full of dragon eggs?” Estinien hissed, though the brunt of it was absorbed by the slowly dampening pillow. “If- if t’were you labouring the thrice damned bastard things out?” He laughed bitterly, but did not move away from Gaius, or let go of his arm.
Gaius snorted softly, brow crumpling at the thought of that image. “Yes I fear you’re right on that front. I can hardly compare any of my own past to that.”
Estinien rubbed his face against the pillow and then came up for air, breathing a little steadier, now. “Well, bullshit or not, I feel as though… I don’t know. I feel as though I have a responsibility for them. The dragonets, I mean. I suppose they are my spawn after all.”
“Your spawn, hmph. Delightful.” Gaius pulled a wry face, though it was fond. “I do not believe dragons require the same amount of parenting as humanoid children do,” he said thoughtfully, “though I will admit to not having so much knowledge of their kind.”
“I suspect you’re right.” Estinien turned his head to face Gaius, eyes reddened but his expression somehow lighter. “I should hope so anyway, lest we find ourselves with a house overrun with dragonets. I do believe Ishgard would never forgive us.”
Gaius laughed and kissed Estinien on the forehead. “Nothing to say that they will even want to return with us, remember? I believe they may just have a child’s curiosity, eager to see who spawned them.” His eyes twinkled, and Estinien snorted in return, hitting Gaius’ chest with the heel of his hand.
“I suppose you’re right, and yes I am very aware I need to stop making assumptions on this topic thank you very much.” Estinien sighed, and then his stomach grumbled and he blinked in the direction of the window. “Ugh, dare I ask what time it is. Too damned early, no doubt.”
Gaius craned over the top of Estinien’s head and managed to just about make out the time on the wall chronometer. “You’re not wrong, ‘tis seven and thirty.” He rolled over and stretched, then sat upright, shivering as his feet hit the chill stone floor. “I don’t suppose this place has any room service, does it,” he said with a wry grimace. “Nothing like foraging for your breakfast to wake one up of a morning.”
“Hmph, no foraging needed I’ll wager. There may not be room service, but the people of Tailfeather are no barbarians. You hold fast here and I’ll fetch us some food.”
“And coffee?”
“If I can finagle some, yes.” Estinien grinned up at Gaius and then squirmed to the bottom of the bed, vaulting upright with more energy than he’d ever shown so early. “Don’t forget to do your stretches, old man, or you’ll be stiff as a board and sore to boot. These beds did neither of us any favours, I suspect.” He stretched, spine popping and cracking in multiple places and drawing a sigh of pleasure from his lips.
As Gaius started his morning routine, Estinien pulled on his clothes and headed out of the door, as good as his word. Gaius’ stretches took a little time, working out the aches and stiffness in his hips and legs, bending and twisting his back until he felt a little more alive. Ever since the Praetorium debacle, the scars and burns he’d earned had been causing him more and more trouble, but keeping on top of morning stretches seemed to go a small way towards keeping him fit and moving with his old skill just about as much as their regular sparring sessions did.
By the time he was finished and dressed and had begun packing their bags, Estinien was pushing the door back open with his arse and shuffling inside with two mugs and a brown paper bag under his arm. Between them, they polished off the pair of large, buttered crumpets and downed the hot (if not very good) coffee, and Estinien’s brow began to furrow harder.
“You look fair fit to scowl up a storm.” Gaius patted him on the shoulder. “Come now, let us get it over with so you can be put out of your misery.”
“Hmph.” Estinien scowled at Gaius, but he shouldered his pack anyway. “‘Tis not the act of it that is bothering me, but the uncertainty. I still fear I know not how to be a swiving father, let alone if I even want to be one.” He clenched his hands around the straps of his pack, and then forcibly relaxed them. “Well piss on that, let us be about it then.”
- - -
The journey to Anyx Trine took just less than an hour, and thankfully there was no storm to contend with this time. There was a clean breeze about the place, as though the skies themselves were refreshed and new after the storm, and Estinien breathed in the sweet air tinged with the scent of dragon as they approached the great, swooping walls of Anyx Trine. The gate was past its best and there were many dragons laying about the place catching some of the early afternoon sunshine, and not a one of them bothered to raise a head nor claw at the trespassers.
“Why do I feel as though we are to be set upon at any moment?” Gaius whispered out of the corner of his mouth, eyes marking the position of every dragon and wyvern out of habit.
“I trust Orn Khai to have informed his brethren of our arrival,” Estinien replied at a normal volume, though Gaius could feel the tension thrumming through him as their shoulders touched.
And as though summoned by the very mention of his name, Orn Khai himself came tumbling from the skies above to hover in front of them, spreading his wings in an airborne bow and then promptly doing a flip as the excitement got the better of him. “Good day Sers, full glad I am to see you both. And you seem to have brought the pleasant weather with you too!”
“It’s a damn sight better than that storm, that’s for sure.” Estinien folded his arms across his chest and looked around, projecting calm to all but those who knew him intimately. “So let’s have them, then. No sense in putting this off any longer than it has already been.”
Gaius raised an eyebrow at that, but didn’t deign to say anything. And before any of them could say another word, the air filled with the sound of beating wings and happy, chittering cries as a veritable flock of dragonets swooped down upon them.
There were seven of the beasts, and they were all exactly as Orn Khai had described; silvery scales shining in the sun like lithe fish darting through running waters, piercingly blue eyes and, indeed, locks of hair. Some of them had braided it into intricate patterns, some had beads and bones and other such trinkets dangling, and yet others let it fly free. Gaius was struck with how much they did resemble Estinien after all - something about their little snouts and the cast of their eyes; their gaze sharp and appraising, missing naught - and yet they smiled in that unnerving draconic fashion, showing all their teeth in a way that should have been threatening, but somehow seemed endearing on these little things.
“You came!” the largest of the brood exclaimed, once they had all settled down into a stately hover. She had a braid across her brow which resembled a crown, and a tiny tinkling silver bell hanging from the end of it. “We have so longed to meet you, Ser Crimson Dragoon.”
Estinien shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “I- I hardly know what to say,” he began, and Gaius took hold of his hand and squeezed it in support for a moment before letting it go again. Estinien continued, emboldened, “I thank you for the warm welcome, ah- I know not your names. Would you tell them to me?”
The largest dragonet spread her wings and ducked her head in a bow. “I am named Moh Ahlm,” she said with a haughty toss of her head, “and there is no need to know the names of the rest of this rabble.”
The smallest of the group smacked Moh Ahlm across the head with his tail and then zipped in front of her and did a somersault so reminiscent of Orn Khai that Gaius had to stifle a smile. “Don’t listen to her, just because she’s the biggest she thinks she’s the boss! I’m Moh Myhk.” Moh Myhk turned and pointed to each of his siblings in turn; “Moh Al, Moh Rhe, Moh Khai, Moh Ehll and Moh Ahm.”
As they were named, each dragonet smiled or twirled in the air or raised a little clawed hand in greeting, and Estinien couldn’t help but smile back. He exhaled and blew upwards, moving hair out of his eyes, and then straightened his back and shoulders. “I’m truly pleased to make your acquaintances. There is no need to stand on ceremony, you may call me Estinien, and this is Gaius, my Bondmate. Is there somewhere we could sit, mayhaps? Out of the wind?”
Moh Myhk waved his tail excitedly. “Yes, there is a cosy corner inside where we often play-”
He was cut off sharply by Moh Ahlm whacking him with her own tail, and she shoved him out of the way. “Not playing,” she said with a glare at Moh Myhk, “learning . We are not children any longer!”
“We are still dragonets though, Moh Ahlm,” Moh Rhe piped up, his own hair tinged with a sort of redness that seemed to be borne of a clay-based dye, “it is alright to play, Vidofnir said as much at our last lesson. You are too serious sometimes, we should call you Moh Fah* instead.”
The rest of the brood fell about laughing, save for Moh Ahlm who bared her teeth and then flew off into the main building of Anyx Trine, calling over her shoulder, “Either way, ‘tis this way. Pray follow, Sers.”
Estinien looked at Gaius with a long-suffering expression and Gaius just shrugged. “They are young, after all,” he said with a toothy grin, “come now, let us get inside out of the wind. It certainly has picked up.”
“Whatever you say, I suppose you are the expert out of the two of us.” Estinien followed after Gaius and the dragonets, Orn Khai on their heels. Inside Anyx Trine proper it was cool and airy, sunshine streaming in through the ruined chunks of wall but shielded from the wind still. There was a scattering of hay, small trinkets and bric-a-brac in the area which the dragonets led them to and even Estinien’s expression softened as Moh Ahlm and Moh Khai pulled over a wooden box for them to sit upon.
“My thanks,” Gaius said with a smile, and settled himself down on the box next to Estinien, glad that it was a sturdy, wooden type and not the sort to collapse under the weight of two tall, full-grown men.
The dragonets finally landed and arrayed themselves about Gaius and Estinien in a semi-circle, as though they were preparing to have a story read to them or to be taught a history lesson or some such, and it was all Gaius could do to tamp down the wave of wistful nostalgia that swept over him at the sight. They tucked their little wings in and fussed with their hair, and even Orn Khai got comfortable on a prime patch of straw.
“So, uhh…” Estinien began, scratching the back of his neck. “How is life for you here, at Anyx Trine? Are the elder dragons looking after you well?”
“Yes, we have lessons with the elders in draconic lore and some of them even take us out hunting!” exclaimed Moh Ahm, lashing her tail excitedly.
“And the stories, don’t forget about those,” said Moh Myhk. “Orn Khai brought Faunehm to visit with Vedrfolnir and they told us everything about the Dragonsong war. And even some tales about you too, Ser Estinien.” He smiled shyly, though of course his teeth still showed. “Is it true that you were host to Nidhogg himself? And that you battled with the Warrior of Light?”
Estinien winced, but Gaius’ steadying hand on his thigh grounded him. “Aye, tis true child. Being host to Nidhogg is, after all, how you came to be in this world, though it was not by my choice.” He let out a breath he hadn’t realised he’d been holding. “Although seeing you all here, hale and hearty, I find it difficult to truly hate that time.”
“Perhaps you would like to hear a tale of Estinien’s other battles,” Gaius suggested gently, “one that does not centre around killing your kind? He has done many a great deed in his time, though he would be loath to admit as much I suspect.”
Estinien shot a sidelong look at Gaius, who just smiled back at him lop-sidedly. “I suppose ‘tis true,” he admitted with awkward grace. “So then you may choose. Would you like to hear the story of how myself and my Bondmate here infiltrated an Imperial facility in Garlemald? Or perhaps you would hear the tale of Shinryu and how he came to be?”
Moh Ahlm tilted her head for a second, considering, and then said with determination, “Shinryu. It would be good to hear of another dragon, outside of Bahamut.”
“Shinryu it is then,” Estinien replied, and settled his back against the rough hewn stone wall as he began the tale.
- - -
The sun had set and fires had been kindled by the time Estinien finished his tale, and though it had been a long one, none of his brood had so much as fallen asleep. Indeed, they had all sat enraptured for the whole duration, occasionally raising a little paw to ask a question or point out a similarity with another tale that they knew, and for all of his earlier anxiety about the dragonets, Estinien found a certain sort of peace had come over him as he recounted, allowing him to sketch gestures in the air as he told of the Warrior of Light’s exploits.
He stretched upwards, sighing with pleasure as his spine cracked and popped. Gaius winced as his own mirrored Estinien’s, though he had taken a few breaks to get up and stretch his legs during the tale - he was no longer young enough to sit for hours on end without paying the price in stiffness.
The dragonets came to life too, flapping their wings and chattering among themselves in Draconic as they digested the tale, leaving Orn Khai to speak with Estinien and Gaius. He inclined his head and spread his wings, a smile on his face. “I do believe that was a success, Ser. They have much to talk about, much to consider after this tale. You have my thanks.”
Estinien flushed a little and stood rapidly, making a show of arranging his coat just so, and Gaius smiled down at Orn Khai in his stead.
“‘Twas a fascinating tale,” Gaius said, glancing sidelong at Estinien, “and though I know enough of our Warrior, some details were new to me in the telling. It is always interesting to gain another perspective on recent history, I find.”
Before Orn Khai or Estinien could reply, Moh Ahlm made a strange noise which was reminiscent of someone clearing their throat, and jumped into the air to hover at their eye level.
“We thank you for the tale, Estinien… nay, Father? Perhaps we could begin to think of you as this, if ‘tis well with you of course…”
A flutter of excitement went through the brood and they all sat upon their hindlegs, alert for Estinien’s answer.
Estinien stifled a wince, digging his fingernails into his palms for a moment until he got his instinctual reaction under control. He took a deep breath, another, and then smiled, finding it somehow easier under their collective bright-eyed gaze. “You may call me that, if you wish, though I am not sure how to be a father. I suppose I shall have to learn…”
Moh Ahlm’s tail lashed excitedly, and she smiled wider, spreading her forelegs out in a conciliatory gesture. “Do not fret, we need no actual parenting - after all, we have our dragon elders here to look after us, and we are surely old enough to fend for ourselves anyway. ‘Tis just good to know you, now, and to put a face to a name and a role.” She seemed about to do a backflip in the air then aborted the motion, settling for a stately spiral instead.
“Besides that, Father,” Moh Myhk piped up, pushing off from the ground to hover next to Moh Ahlm, “we have gifts for you, to remember us by when you leave here.”
“‘Tis just something small,” Moh Rhe said from the ground, standing on the very tips of his hindclaws to get some height, “and mayhaps they will not be to your liking…”
Moh Ahlm zipped down to the floor and swatted Moh Rhe with her tail. “We have discussed this self-deprecation before, Moh Rhe! Present the gifts with pride, do not fear.”
Estinien crouched down before Moh Rhe and smiled, encouraging. “I will love the gift, Moh Rhe, no matter how small it may be.”
The other dragonets clustered around Moh Rhe at that, and each one held out a small scale, threaded with, variously; glass beads, tiny downy feathers, slivers of metal wrought by dragon claw into twisting shapes and silky soft draconic hair. Estinien took each one solemnly, examining them in the flickering torchlight before tucking them into a pouch at his waist where they tinkled gently as he moved.
“They are truly beautiful, you have my thanks.” And if there was a tiny hitch in his voice, well he certainly wasn’t going to draw attention to it. “Should you ever desire to visit Ishgard, relations are now much improved between dragonkind and man. Simply send word via the moogles and I shall see it done.”
“Aye, you will be welcome at our home any day, any time,” Gaius added, resting the tips of his fingers on Estinien’s shoulder.
Estinien stood, and the dragonets fluttered into the air, surrounding Orn Khai with excitement. The air had grown chill with the night, but the torches around them and the feelings inside his gut warmed him. He had not expected to feel such startling fondness for this little brood, but their flashing silver scales and animated, chattering ways softened him; softened the memories and nightmares he’d been struggling with for so long.
Perhaps it was not all for nothing, his suffering. Perhaps something good had come out of the ashes of his pain for once; something bright and pure and innocent. Family.
- - -
Back at home, Estinien seems lighter, somehow. His nightmares are gone like seeds blown away on a gentle breeze, and as they sit together in the garden, he smiles as he drowses in a patch of sunlight like a cat, head leaning against Gaius’ shoulder.
Gaius has a book on Modern Hybrid Magitek Techniques open in one hand, but his vision skims over the top of the pages to gaze upon the mesh of silver scales and charms hanging from the young willow tree. They are woven together skilfully in an intricate pattern, strung on slender, beaten silver chains, and they make a sound as beautiful and clear as a music box.
Soon enough, Gaius finds the soothing noise and the warmth of the late afternoon sun casting a heavy blanket across him too, and he joins Estinien in peaceful sleep.