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“But mum, what if I don’t make any friends?” Meru clung to the soft material of his mother’s tunic as she tried to push him into the play centre.
“You will have fun here. I promise. Remember you already have a friend coming. Darko will be here today too. You can play with him, okay?” She coaxed him as she pried his fingers off her clothing. He started hopping in place with a smile.
“Really? Darky is here? You promise?” He asked. She nodded and pointed to another parent just landing with the black haired boy.
“See, there he is. Why don’t you go inside together?” She sighed in relief as her son took off across the platform to hug the other boy and drag him into the play centre.
“Thank you. He was complaining the whole way here that he wanted to stay home and play with Meru. Those two are joined at the hip aren’t they?” The father said to her with a grin. He was a powerful protector fairy, so she bowed her head in respect.
“Yes. I wonder if they might be mates one day.” She mused. He shook his head with a frown.
“No, those pairings are very rare for high born fairies. I doubt a son of mine will be anything less than a protector.” He sniffed and took off, his bird wings stretched wide as he floated on an updraft. She sighed and frowned, fluttering her butterfly wings as she left for work.
*
“Are you nervous?” He whispered. Meru looked over at him and shook his head no, flinging his white-blond hair about. He was fine with anything really. His mother was a butterfly worker and his father was a lower level bird protector fairy. They had fallen in love and against all odds had stayed together to have him. They taught him that it wasn’t what was on the outside that counted, it was what was in your heart.
“Are you?” He asked, already knowing the answer. Darko would have good reason to be nervous. Both of his parents were high level bird protectors, and stuck up if they were being honest about it. They never liked how the two of them hung out together all the time. They thought Meru was beneath their son’s notice, with his butterfly mother. Darko never cared though. He stuck by him through everything. Now they were about to cocoon and get their fairy wings.
“Yeah. If I am not at least a bird I think my parents might abandon me.” He said sadly. Meru hugged him tightly.
“Don’t worry Darko. If that happens you can come and live with me.” They broke apart and smiled at each other. Then they got in line with the other children, followed them into the great garden and stepped into their cocooning flowers. Meru watched until he couldn’t see Darko anymore before closing his eyes and letting the sleep come upon him.
He hoped he would never be parted from his best friend, but these things could go either way. He could wake up as a bug, a bird, or even a fabled dragon! He fell deep asleep and didn’t feel the time pass or his wings growing on his back. As the flower peeled open again, he blinked his eyes as though no time had passed at all. His mother stood there, looking up with tears in her eyes. Her baby was growing up now. He stepped out and tested his wings, flapping them experimentally.
“How do I look mum?” He asked in a deeper voice. He gave her a hug and felt strange suddenly being taller than her.
“Oh baby, you look beautiful. Looks like you will be going to work with your papa.” She reached out and patted his snowy white bird’s wings. He looked around and noticed that Darko’s flower was not yet opened. He sighed and went to see him anyways.
“I missed you Darko. Hurry up and come play with me. I want to fly with you!” Meru whispered to him. He had to leave the garden now that he was done his transformation. He looked over his shoulder as he went, hoping his friend would join him soon.
*
It was weeks. All the other children had emerged from their flowers and now Meru was starting to really worry. The adults spoke of something going wrong and he shut his ears to it. He visited him when he could in the garden, telling him about the flying lessons and how he had gotten markings that put him in the same division as his father. He traced the golden patterned swirls on his skin and sighed as he thought of how angry Darko’s father had looked when he walked in the first day.
Meru was being put through brutal trials, testing his speed and ability to wield weapons. So far he had come out on the top of his class. That meant nothing to him without his best friend to share it with. He sighed again and turned to leave. Today was not the day either. He went home to his proud parents and ate food that tasted bland now. He missed Darko like there was a piece of himself missing. He tried to sleep, but thought only of the lone flower yet to bloom.
In the morning Meru heard a commotion. There was a messenger at the door whispering to his parents. He came in the room to find out what it was about and his mum ran over to give him a big hug. They both had uneasy smiles on their faces. He was confused, what had happened? Why were they so nervous? Was it bad news? Was Darko okay?
“Honey, it seems your friend Darko bloomed last night. It happened at the apex of the moon and his parents were called right away.” She said to him hesitatingly. He smiled in joy. Thank goodness he was okay!
“That’s great mum! I will go over this morning and welcome him back.” Meru began, confused as his parents began shaking their heads.
“Oh baby, you can’t go see him now. You see… he isn’t going home. He came out… that is he….” She faltered as she tried to explain what had happened. Meru began to panic. Was he a bug? Had his parents thrown him out?
“Son, your friend is a dragon. They have sent him to live at the palace to learn how to become the future king.” They exchanged a glance as Meru sat in shock at the news. All he heard was that he couldn’t see his friend. He began to cry and his mum gave him a big hug so he could get out all his tears.
“Am I never going to see him again, mum?” Meru whimpered. His mum just shook her head.
“I don’t know baby. They are saying he is a great black and gold dragon, a warrior king. That means you and your father will need to train extra hard for whatever may come. It is the only warning we have that danger is coming. Do your best okay? Maybe you will see him later.” She was trying to make him understand, and trying to give him hope for the future. He sniffed and nodded in understanding.
“Okay mum. I am going to become really fast and strong so I can help protect him.” He raised his chin and his mum smiled her proudest at her strong baby.
*
They said the latest obstacle course was really tough, but Meru was up for it. He got into his armour and strapped his swords between his wings in their scabbards. His gait was confident as he strolled out to the takeoff platform. His pale grey eyes were sharp as they took in the first challenge. He ran to the edge and jumped into the sky, folding his wings so they laid flat and he plunged through the air.
At the last second he opened them fully and caught the updraft to send him sailing high into the clouds. He dodged the floating balloons that hid amongst the clouds and then dove to the earth again. Some of the other birds stopped to watch his reckless tearing through the course, some in glee and some in discontent. They said he was crazy. Too fast for his own good. That he was going to run into someone some day and cause an accident.
Meru wanted to be the best. The best flier, the best fighter and the best protector there ever was. When the war came that everyone was talking about, he wanted to be able to protect his loved ones. All his loved ones. So he trained as hard as he could. He came out on the courses every day to improve his speed and accuracy. Faster, stronger, smarter. That was what he needed to be.
Suddenly a dark shadow fell over him and he swooped to the right in a dodge. Whatever it was just missed him. He swooped again to the left this time, and then barrel rolled as he slipped between two trees. He felt the unseen presence chasing behind him now with purpose. He ducked under a rope bridge with inches to spare and then swung himself up slightly into the branches of a larger tree.
He thought he had almost made it when he felt a heavy weight land on his back. Now he was falling, the weight forcing him to the ground in a spectacular spiral. He tucked his wings and braced but with inches to spare, the thing that had him pulled up and landed gently. He sighed in relief and waited to be dropped. This was either a senior bird doing a trial hunt, an irate tester taking him off the course, or…
“That was quite the flight my friend. What is your name?” The deep voice had him on his feet and turning to face it in an instant. He would know this man anywhere. He locked his pale eyes with a pair of surprised golden ones and he laughed in joy with him. “Meru? Is that you? Look at you!”
“Hello Darko. Did you miss me? I figured they would keep you too busy to miss your old friend.” Meru bowed slightly in deference but he just swooped in for an awkward hug. He was huge and smelled like smoke. His wings were these great big leathery things on his back with scales that gleamed gold in the light. Reluctantly he was impressed with the new look. Meru wondered what his king’s final stage would look like now.
“Of course I missed you! Are you kidding me? They have been cramming my brain with so much crap I feel like I’m going to explode. It’s all I can do just to get out of there and fly now and then. What about you? You got warrior first-class huh?” He nodded to his friend’s markings and Meru grinned.
“Yep, sure did. I’ve been training really hard too so I can join the Royal Elites. Figured it was my best bet if I want to hang out with you when this is all over.” He smiled in friendship and Darko gave him a great big smile back.
“That’s great! Do you want to meet up and go flying again? That was so much fun. I rarely have any difficulty catching my training partners, but you are so fast!” He looked hopefully at his friend. Meru nodded without even thinking.
“Yes absolutely. Give me your schedule and I will make sure to be here.” He replied with excitement. Darko handed him a roll of parchment and he read it off quickly. It would work out at least three times a week if they were right on time. He showed Darko the days he could come and they shook hands before taking off back to their training sessions.
*
Darko’s trainers became very aware not to interfere with his flight times. If he was so much as a minute late getting to the platform, he was a beast to deal with for days. He growled at anyone who tried to join them on their flights. The two of them together were too fast to catch up with anyways if anyone tried. Meru was never happier than when they were soaring through the sky together on one of their flights.
“Look there, do you see that dust cloud on the horizon?” They hovered on an updraft high in the sky. Meru looked to where Darko was pointing and nodded. “That is the danger that comes. It is an army of goblins set to take down the canopy in a few months’ time. That is why the adults are so serious. That is why they train us so hard.”
“Do we stand a chance against them?” Meru looked over to study the serious expression on his friend’s face.
“Maybe. If I can reach my final stage before they arrive then there is a good chance. If as many of the squad reach their final stage as possible, then we have a sure win. Keep training hard, Meru.” He asked his friend solemnly. Meru nodded vigorously. Then he leaned over and cut across Darko’s path, and the chase was on as they plummeted from the sky.
The fairies on the ground watched with interest as the two swooped and dove around the canopy in chase. The beautiful white bird being chased by the great black dragon as they trained for battle. It gave the weaker fairies hope and the stronger fairies something to strive for. Darko’s father looked on with a frown, remembering the words of Meru’s mother with consternation.
He wanted his son to be the greatest fairy king there ever was, and he was off playing with his friend again. He would have to have a chat with the boy about priorities. The boy may have gotten a fine set of wings, but he was from a mixed family. Not a suitable friend for his boy at all. Perhaps he could arrange for Darko to meet with some potential brides, or at the very least some friends from better families.
*
Time was running out. Darko had not yet started his change and Meru had yet to have his first molt. They were finding it harder to get together with Darko’s father interfering with their time at every turn. First he changed Meru’s hours for training, then he began introducing Darko to potential brides from suitable families. Neither of these things amused Darko.
He figured it was time to flex his muscles in the political ring, so he ordered Meru to help him train. After dealing with weeks of a very grumpy dragon, his court advisors allowed it. Darko’s father was livid, but fortunately he knew when to bow out. Much as he disliked it, his son was more powerful than he was now. The weeks away had Darko anticipating his next flight with glee. He practically ran to the platform and enveloped his friend in a tight hug.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let him do that to us. Forgive me Meru?” He breathed into the soft blond hair. He felt his beloved friend nod. They pulled back and stared at each other a moment. Meru smelled so good now, it was all Darko could do not to pull him back in and bury his face in his friend’s hair. When they realised they were wasting time standing around, Meru blushed and cleared his throat.
“Uh, shall we?” He gestured to the sky and Darko nodded. They clasped hands and tumbled off the tower. At the last second, they twisted about and soared into the air. Meru was laughing as the wind gusted across his face. Darko followed him through the course, keeping just a pace behind and watching the graceful flapping of his pale feathers. They drifted on the breeze, using it in their favour before swooping around to land on another platform gracefully.
“I missed this.” Darko said, coming close behind Meru and running his fingers through the white blond locks to detangle them. Meru felt strange, noticing the way Darko stood closer and seemed to be constantly touching him. It was like he couldn’t help himself though. The new king couldn’t stop himself from bringing a handful of the soft fibres to his face and breathing in the sweet smell of rain and sunshine.
Meru looked on wide-eyed. Should he ask him to stop? He didn’t really want to. He was certain Darko’s father would punish him if he knew how his son was behaving towards him. His heartbeat sped up as Darko invaded his space. He grinned and fell backwards out of reach, starting the chase. Darko dove forward and flew furiously in his attempt to catch him.
Meru was beautiful like this. White wings spread wide, hair blowing in the breeze, and eyes closed to enjoy the flight. His lean body was quick as a whip. He stayed just outside Darko’s grasp as they tumbled through the sky. Darko was determined though, pushing himself even further than he ever had before. His hand stretched out and skimmed the silken fabric of Meru’s tunic. Then he pushed the last bit of speed and his hand wrapped around Meru’s waist.
He pulled him flush against his body, rendering the feathery wings useless as he held tight to his prey. Meru spread his arms out and pretended he was still flying. The great black wings opened wide to carry them both and they gently touched the ground. Both of them were panting from a good workout. Darko almost said something, but was interrupted by his advisor calling him back to work.
Meru watched him go with small smile and a sigh. It was time for him to get back to work as well. He wandered towards the warrior’s training facility but never made it there. On the way, he fell over in a dead faint. A couple of bird fairies saw it happen and carried him into the hall. His father came running to see what had happened. None could find a single thing wrong with him. He just would not wake.
*
Darko was annoyed when he went to the platform a few days later and Meru was not there to meet him. He waited a bit, then stalked his way to the warrior hall. He was certain it was his father’s fault that Meru had not shown up, but he was wrong. He was told that Meru was sick and Darko almost didn’t believe it. He flew to his friend’s house in concern despite the protests of his advisors and father. When he arrived, Meru’s mother and father were pacing the kitchen with frightened expressions.
“Where is he?” Darko demanded after hugging them both. They pointed to the stairs leading up to the rooms. Darko stalked up the stairs, unsure of what he would find. What he didn’t expect was Meru’s gorgeous, fluffy white feathers all over the floor. His friend looked almost peaceful as he lay there, but for the sweat on his pale forehead. Sharp, needle-like spikes grew from his balding wings. It was his molt, but why was he unconscious?
Most birds just lost their feathers, got all embarrassed about it and then grew in their adult set. This was different. Something else was going on. Darko took his friend’s hand and kissed the back of it gently. He stroked his hand through the pale hair laid out on the pillow. He watched the slow even breaths as his Meru slept. Nobody was there to see, so he leaned down and inhaled the sweet scent that lingered on his friend’s skin.
He had figured it out, and he grinned. He bounded down the stairs with a smile, much to the parents’ astonishment. He winked at Meru’s mother and then left for the palace. There was so much to do, he dares not sit about and wait for something he had no control over. Time would see his friend through his final stages. He had to work on bringing his own about.
*
“Are… are you sure? Your majesty?” His advisor looked concerned as Darko made his pronouncement. He nodded firmly and turned on his heel so there would be no argument. He knew the little fairy would go running to his father anyways. He went to the armory and picked up a sword to practise with. After working up a slight sweat, his father came storming in right on time.
He sighed and put his sword away, moving out of the room before a word left his father’s lips and forcing the man to chase him. He didn’t want to hear it. He knew exactly what the man was going to say and he said it out in his head first. What do you think you are doing? This is not behaviour befitting a king. You can’t hang around that… mixed breed… any longer. I forbid it. You will marry a girl of my choosing.
“Darko! Enough. What do you think you are doing?” He huffed at his son. Darko rolled his eyes.
“My training father. What does it look like?” He growled. He felt his father grab his sleeve and sighed again.
“This is not behaviour befitting a king. I heard you went to that… boy’s place yesterday and now you have some kind of… strange ideas.” He shook his head and seemed mystified. Darko tried to move away from the man.
“It is not any of your business, father. Let go so I can keep training.” He was getting really annoyed.
“No. You cannot hang around that, that thing… the mixed breed is not good company. I am putting my foot down. I forbid you from seeing him again. I am going to set up a marriage contract with our friends, the Hawksbreadth’s girl.” He was raising his voice now and Darko’s instincts kicked in.
“No! You listen here, and listen well. That boy is mine. I will marry none of your choosing. I am your king and I will not bow to you.” His voice raised back and although he regretting raising his voice to his own father, he had had enough. His entire being was made to be dominant and to lead, not follow. If it had been any other fairy, he would have struck it down. He left the room now so he would not do just that, the shocked look on his father’s face making him cringe slightly.
“Darko! Meru’s awake! Come see!” He whipped his head about to see Meru’s father running over to him with a big grin. He smiled back in relief and let the bird lead the way back to the nest. He was nervous to see his friend now and he wasn’t sure why. He decided he would love whatever Meru’s final stage was, but what of his final stage? Would he frighten Meru when he developed into the fearsome creature the advisors told him he would become?
“These things are going to be a pain.” Meru was complaining. He sounded exactly like the same old friend he had grown to know and love.
“Relax, you can file the tips down so you don’t scratch anyone’s eyes out during practise.” His mother said as she helped him maneuver his wings about. He hadn’t broken open a couple of the newly formed feathers yet, but those that he had were astonishingly still a shocking white. Everyone had thought he would develop markings and colour when he molted, but there was very little aside from the markings of his station.
Even those were still a pale gold. He was an albino, and a very rare sort of fairy for being both that and a raptor type. He grinned over at Darko and showed off his sharp teeth. No wonder he had been passed out. Between all the new feathers poking through, claws growing in instead of soft fingernails and his baby teeth falling out it was no wonder his body had forced him into hibernation mode.
Darko was even more distracted by the smell that permeated the whole room now. He felt a growl rumbling in his chest and shot Meru’s mother a look of warning as he stalked forward. He pressed himself against the strong body and kissed him full on the mouth. Meru drew back in surprise. Darko just growled and buried his head in the crook of his neck to breathe in the intoxicating smell from the source. It made his head spin.
“What are you doing?” Meru snapped at him. He tried pushing Darko away but the dragon was not budging.
“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m mating you.” He licked the underside of the boy’s jaw and heard a pleasing hiss from his friend.
“Oh you are, are you?” He said rebelliously. Then he shoved Darko back and jumped to the balcony. In one grand leap he was taking off into the sky. The chase was on. Darko felt the rumble in his chest take form and roared from the doorway. Then he was leaping into the wind to follow his prey. His eyes narrowed on the white figure that swept through the canopy and then up to the clouds. He planned to hide in the vapour did he?
Darko climbed up above the clouds and then hovered in spot as he watched for movement in the haze. He caught a flash of gold from the corner of his eye and dove, chasing Meru from his hiding place and plummeting to the ground in a grand competition. He was catching up when Meru swung to the left, throwing him off course. He growled and smoke streamed from his mouth and nose as he huffed in frustration.
Fairies on the ground were watching in awe and worry, wondering if something was wrong since this did not seem like their usual chase. Meru could almost feel the presence behind him as he swooped in the air. He barrel-rolled through some tight branches of one of the trees and then ducked under a rope bridge, making some girls shriek and giggle with their passing.
He finally cracked a grim smile as he shot up over the warrior training centre, startling a few males standing at the entrance. All of a sudden he felt a strong arm reach around his waist and jerk him back roughly, throwing them both into a fall. They spun about, struggling and flapping as they fell through the air. Fairies shouted from the bridges and branches as they went. Darko ignored the flailing hands and wrapped both arms about Meru to still him.
Then he opened his wings wide to swing up and around. His prey was finally caught, and he took him to his nest. When he landed in his personal quarters, he refused to let go of Meru. He was too afraid of him running off again. He dragged him to his bedding and flopped down with him still clasped tightly within his arms. Meru didn’t struggle against him anymore. He had his game of pursuit, and so felt fairly won by his large friend.
Instead he closed his eyes and relaxed into the warm embrace. He felt the rumble of contentment under his head as Darko snuggled him to his chest. This was what he had been yearning for without words. To be held close and loved by the one he loved so dearly. It was like the reason for their existence was answered in the sound of each others breaths, in finding each other, in realising what they could be together.
“Are you hungry? I can bring you food.” He murmured to Meru. He felt the blond shake his head and slip his arms about him tightly. He had won the chase, and it seemed his reward was acceptance from his mate. He smiled and hummed again, proud of himself. They took the moment to catch their breaths and just sense each other. Darko smelled like smoke and storms to Meru. It was not unpleasant at all.
“Your father is not going to be pleased.” Meru mumbled after a bit. Darko snorted and shook his head.
“Does not matter. It was never his choice to make. It is ours.” He kissed the top of his love’s head. Meru wiggled a little to get comfortable and Darko groaned.
“What is the matter love?” Meru looked up in concern. He met some very passionate eyes and blushed. “Oh.”
“Hmm, yes ‘oh.’ I am afraid my instincts are kicking in sweetheart. You can fight me a little if it makes you feel better.” He bent down and kissed his chosen mate. Meru thought about fighting him, but it was too hard not to open his mouth to taste the hot mouth upon his. He moaned at the spicy tang and felt Darko moving to loom over him.
That kicked in his natural urges to be on top, and he bucked a little. Darko grabbed his wrists and pinned him down. Then he ground his lower body against him to rile him up. Meru’s gentle growls and whimpers into his mouth made his pace almost too quick. He wrestled a bit with the albino, removing what little clothing they had on in a hurry to feel smooth skin and soft feathers. Meru chuckled as they tumbled about. It was kind of fun to play fight while they teased each other.
When Darko finally had him where he wanted him, naked, Meru gave in gracefully. His arms were held underneath him, his face into a pillow, and his arse stuck up in the air. Darko proceeded to worship the pale hole he planned on deflowering. Meru gasped as he felt the hot tongue poke at him, then dip inside to taste him. He mewled as Darko worked him open with his hands and mouth.
Darko didn’t want to hurt his friend, but he just couldn’t wait any longer. He spat a few times to lube him up, then pressed his tip against the twitching hole. It was either slow and torturous or quick and painful. He eased in and out of the entrance and then Meru suddenly slammed himself back onto him. Quick and painful it was. Darko grasped his hips and stilled him for a moment. Meru whined and grabbed at his thick thighs.
“Darky, baby f*ck me hard.” He begged with the old name they used as kids. Darko blushed and obeyed, pulling out part way and then snapping his hips forward. Meru cried out in pleasure and it egged him on to keep going. He pulled back and pushed in as deep as he could go. He rolled his hips and scraped his blunt nails down between Meru’s wings, ruffling the feathers. Meru’s back arched and he bucked into him a little.
“Mer sweetheart, make some noise for me. No holding back.” He grasped the base of the wings and used them as leverage to pound into his mate’s body. That seemed to shake loose the breathy moans and cries that had his orgasm coming upon him swiftly. He felt the shudders beneath him a moment before his own gut tightened with coming release. He held back a little longer, enjoying the sweet slide of flesh a bit more before spraying the inside of Mer’s walls with his hot j*zz.
“Hot damn. We should do this more. It’s almost as fun as flying.” Meru gasped under him. He laughed and spun the man underneath him for a kiss. They curled up then, ignoring the mess in favour of snuggling. It did not matter. They were just going to get up later and make more mess anyways. And they did, three more times before finally going to sleep.
*
“Did you eat him?” He heard a tremulous voice from the direction of his door. He laughed at the innuendo in that question. That stirred the sleeping man in his arms, who growled and clamped down tighter on his chest.
“Yes and no.” He responded carefully. His mouth felt funny as he spoke and he shifted uncomfortably. Meru was stirring and he yawned. When he was done blinking his eyes, they widened a bit.
“What happened to you?” Meru said with concern. He reached forward and swiped his mouth, showing Darko the blood on his finger. Darko leaned towards him and licked it off. His lover tried to run a hand through his hair, but encountered the twisting form of horns beginning on his crown.
“Looks like I am finally getting my final stages. All it took was you.” He whispered to him. Meru snorted and shook his head at his lover’s corniness.
“Bull. All it took was time. Sweet of you though. I can’t wait to see your horns.” He teased him. He ran his hands over the bony protrusions and licked his lips. That of course instigated a rather bloody kiss. He didn’t mind so much. He thought it was actually rather tasty, in a weird way.
“Eep! Put some clothes on you two. Everyone is worried about you. Come show them you are both fine.” The advisor complained from the direction of the entrance. They were ignoring him for the moment, too wrapped up in each other.
“Can’t do that right now. He’s not fine.” Darko said cockily with an evil grin. Meru glared at him. He was not wrong though. His arse was wrecked and his muscles were screaming from their unusual usage.
“Your king is a beast. I can’t move. Now you can get me some food, you oaf.” He bantered back. Darko nodded and kissed him one more time before fetching some food from the next room, to the utter surprise of the advisor. He even brought him the finest pieces of meat from the tray. The advisor shuddered in disgust, not a meat eater himself. He turned away as the two ate together.
“So… do I tell everyone you are mated?” The man asked tremulously.
“Yes!” They both shouted at him, so he scrambled away at a run to spread the news.
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