Disclaimer:
This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. This work contains homosexual acts that take place between an adult and a minor. The author does not condone sexual activity with minors. If this is illegal in your area by local, county, province, or national law, please stop reading now and go elsewhere.
Dragon's Tears
Chapter 4
By: Agent Orange
(agent.orange_stories@yahoo.com)
My dreams were plagued with images of the Tine Elder Council, with my grandfather sitting in his high backed chair in the center, with grim faces as they listened to a young boy's story. This boy, once a member of a different clan left to seek asylum, hoping that he could find it with us. Through shed tears, this child told his story like he had never told it before. He spoke candidly, and honestly, speaking of the abuse he'd received at the hands of his own Elder Council, and the malnourishment he and many others were forced to go through in order to make them "strong." The faces of the Elders didn't change throughout his whole story; even when he spoke, through sobs, of the Council he was supposed to love and revere killing his younger sister because she was viewed as being too weak to be a Dragon.
My grandfather raised his hand, "Enough! We've heard your titling tale, and I must require you to give us time to think this over." The Elder Council stood and walked in single file behind their chairs to the room that awaited them behind the court. Soft murmurs started as soon as the door closed, the court room was full of Tine family members. Those who were in the surrounding area were required by Dragon Law to attend any court preceding that involved the presence of the full Council. The murmurs escalated to general talking, and the sound was reverberating off of the walls, echoing in the deep room.
The court room was furnished in dark mahogany, and gold candelabras. Torches were lit against the walls to bring more light, yet their flames were weak as there was a risk of setting the wood on fire. The only window was behind the Elders' Chairs, but the sky outside was dark and overcast, so the light coming through it was minimal, and often, none at all. The benches everyone sat on were oak; the padding thin enough that it wasn't even felt. It seemed that the builders spent more time on design than comfort as there were multiple carvings and etchings throughout the length of the seats, each bench different than its previous.
The sound died away instantly as the door from the back room opened and the Elders started making their way back to their chairs. They stood with their arms outstretched toward the audience, a sign of welcoming. This was something they do when they first enter the courtroom, or when they've reached a verdict. As they proceeded to sit in order to their ranks, the people could feel the tension in the room. This little one's life depended on us, and those six men. Would we grant him asylum and a safe haven that he can grow up with us, or will he be banished?
~*~*~*~
I felt air moving around my chest and fought the urge to let my eyes fly open. I couldn't remember leaving a window open the night before, but I did remember a scared boy coming into my room, asking if he could sleep in bed with me. Then we flew so he could get away from the dreams that were giving him such a rough night. Everything started to rush back to me: Aden being a Jagi, running away from his clan because they thought he was the weak one, and were going to kill him. I was offering him asylum, or at least, the best version of it that I could. He rolled closer to me and draped his arm across my belly. His face was in my side and he was breathing deep, still sleeping. I gently tried to move his arm but he latched on tighter, "Don't leave."
"I've got to get up bud."
"Aw, do we have to?" He asked.
"Well, you're more than welcome to stay in bed a little longer if you like, but I need a shower, and I have to brush my teeth. I'm sure I've got some pretty bad dragon breath." I know it was a horrible pun, and it wasn't lost on the little beauty lying next to me.
"Oh, whatEVER," Aden rolled his eyes. "I'm up now, so I may as well join you, if that's ok."
I shrugged. I could lie and say that I wasn't fully awake yet, but there was no point. "You seem awfully immodest all the sudden. Not that I'm complaining."
"Well..." he paused. "You've seen me in my truest form, there's no hiding from that. So you seeing me naked like this? It's not that big of a deal anymore."
What's really bad is that train of thought made complete sense to me. I guess there's just something about being truly vulnerable that makes you see things differently. While we were in absolutely no danger last night while we were flying, there's just something about being in that place, in that form, with someone you're forced to trust completely, that makes you rethink things.
We threw the covers back and walked down the hallway to the bathroom. It's a good thing my shower also doubles as a bathtub; otherwise we both may not have fit. I stripped from my clothes and turned the water on warm. I wasn't sure how hot he liked his showers, and we could always adjust the temperature if needed. I turned before I stepped inside and saw he was still fiddling with my shirt that he was wearing. "What's the matter?"
"Nothing."
"Aden, please don't lie to me. You're looking at the floor fingering your shirt, your modesty come back?"
"No, it's just..."
"Just what?"
"I... I like wearing your clothes."
That statement made me stop. "What do you mean?"
"I don't know, but when I wear your clothes it just makes me feel like I'm closer to you. I mean you could be in the same room with me, but when I wear your shirt, it's almost like... like you're hugging me all the time."
"Would you..." I paused. There really was no reason to ask. I pulled my leg from the tub and walked towards him, and knelt in front of him, putting us at the same level. My arms reached out and wrapped around him and pulled him close to me. He started to fight a little at first, but realized that I was only giving him a real hug and he relaxed. His arms went around my neck and he clung to me. I felt his body tighten up again, but this time it wasn't from fear. His face went into my neck and I could feel wet droplets running down my chest. Maybe it was a little fear too. I couldn't imagine being in his position and not knowing what was going to happen next.
"What do I do Brenten?"
"What do you mean?" I asked softly.
"I've got no where to go, no one who will take care of me. I'm just a kid. I can't stay with you forever, no matter how much I want to."
My hand went up to the back of his head and my fingers went through his hair. "Shh, it will be alright. You can stay with me as long as you want to."
"But what if someone finds out?"
"Like who?"
"Like me." A deep voice said from the doorway. We jumped apart and I took my defensive position, ready to fight. When my eyes stopped seeing red, I saw who was standing in the doorway, and my heart plummeted. Suddenly my nakedness was pressing down on me, and I reached over and grabbed towel and wrapped it around me. The man standing there was old and his hair was grey. His skin leathery from many years spent in the sun, and his eyes even greyer than his hair. The scowl on his face was a permanent fixture and very rarely ever turned itself into a smile
I took a step forward, "Grandfather."
"Brenten, a word please." He spoke and turned toward the hallway.
I followed him down the hallway into the living room. I saw Aden looking out from the bathroom door, and I motioned for him to close it which he did quietly. I was pretty sure that it wouldn't stay closed, but I wanted to protect him as much as I could. I turned into the living room and saw my grandfather standing by the window with his arms crossed. He didn't turn when he spoke, "A Jagi? Brenten what are you thinking?"
"With all due respect sir..."
"You show me disrespect just by being in the presence of such filth."
"Now hold on..."
"NO, I will NOT hold on! The Jagi Clan has been out to infiltrate us for as long as the legends tell. You don't think that this is a plan that would enable them to do just that?"
"No, I don't."
"Shows how much you listened when you were younger." He started walking toward the door. "I want you and he in front of the Greater Elder Council, tomorrow."
"No."
"Excuse me?" He finally stopped and looked at me.
"You heard me. I will not go before the council, and I will not leave Aden to your mercy."
"You have some nerve..."
You want to talk about nerve? What about that boy who sought asylum with us all those years ago? Yeah, I remember that Grandfather. I remember what the decision was, and I'm sorry if I can't see it the way you do, but I will NOT let that happen to Aden."
"Aden? You call him by his name?"
"Of course I do. He's one of us."
"He is NOT a Tine."
"No, but he's a Dragon."
"That is irrelevant."
"Is it? What about all those myths we were taught as kids about special abilities? You remember those?"
Slowly my grandfather nodded, he didn't know where I was going with this, and I'm sure what I was about to say would be the last he expected.
"Well, they're true."
"What do you mean? What gift do you have?"
"I don't have a gift. But I've imprinted."
"Imprinting... there was no truth behind that."
"Well, grandfather, I'm telling you there IS truth to it, because I've done it."
"Well, that's wonderful, who is she?"
I laughed. I couldn't help it. "He's in the bathroom right now waiting for me."
My grandfather just stared at me, his eyes getting smaller. "So this is how it's going to be then?"
"It's how it will have to be. I don't think I could leave him even if you forced me to, or had it written into law, or whatever it is you want to do. The fact is, I love him. I'm not sure if he feels the same way yet, but I know he's starting to."
"He's told you this?"
"He didn't have to. I can see it in his eyes. The fact that his family is trying to kill him because he was considered to be the runt, the fact that he stayed on the streets for Goddess knows how long and everyone just ignored him, the fact that I feel that I was sent to him, or he to me. I'm not sure exactly which one yet, but we were meant to be together. And don't you dare go shoving man's law in my face. I'm invoking the right to live by Dragon Law."
"You've thought about this."
"As much as I could in the time I've known him."
"Which is how long exactly?"
"That's irrelevant."
"I see. Well, I can't say you have my support, but you're still my family. We'll discuss this in more detail later." With that my grandfather turned on his heels and walked out the front door. I can't believe I just stood up to the Elder Council. This was going to get interesting, I just had a feeling.
To Be Continued...
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Links to my other works:
Adult Youth
Fun Stop -- /nifty/gay/adult-youth/fun-stop/
Dark Paradise -- /nifty/gay/adult-youth/dark-paradise
Celebrity
Harry Potter and the Parchment Snake -- /nifty/gay/celebrity/parchment-snake
Harry Potter and the After Effect -- /nifty/gay/celebrity/after-effect
Harry's Private Affairs -- /nifty/gay/celebrity/harrys-private-affairs
Declan's Private Concert -- /nifty/gay/celebrity/declans-private-concert
Young Friends
Weekend at Brian's - /nifty/gay/young-friends/weekend-at-brians
Sci-fi/Fantasy
Dragon's Tears - /nifty/gay/sf-fantasy/dragons-tears
Some stories of mine that are on an external site: