Archive of Our Own

Mydei has Phainon pinned against the wall of his room, pressing bruises onto his hips as he kisses him, tongue curling around Phainon’s and laving slowly against the roof of his mouth, dipping into his throat to hear Phainon whimper underneath him. Phainon is trying his best to match his rhythm, swallowing the mixture of their saliva pooling in his mouth and taking small breaths whenever Mydei lets up. His head is pressed into the wall and Mydei is smothering him underneath his body, all heat and muscle and heavy desire. He can feel Mydei’s hand drift to his ass, grabbing it in a strong hold as he massages it, fingers molding the flesh around the digits. Phainon’s hips jerk forward and both of them moan as Mydei’s stiff cock grinds against Phainon’s wet cunt, Phainon hooking a leg around his waist as Mydei moves one of his hands down to grab onto his thigh and hike it further up his body.

They were meeting up in Mydei’s room to catch up, it’d been months since they could get enough free time from their duties to be alone and it was just supposed to be filling each other in on everything they’d been doing, but one thing led to another, one lingering look became lingering touches—and then Mydei was forcing Phainon against his wall to ravage him. Drool slipped from their pressed lips and dripped down Phainon’s chin, a sticky trail leaving his skin glistening. He could barely breathe, Mydei just wouldn’t let up and Phainon was growing desperate for air, trying to push against Mydei’s broad shoulders, clawing at bare skin when all it did was rile the Kremnoan up more.

“Mm—!” Phainon let out a muffled sound of protest, drawing golden blood beneath his nails, filling the air with the scent of sweat and iron. Mydei groaned into his mouth, shoving his hips further into the cradle of Phainon’s legs. His cock was so hot, pressing so incessantly into his core, the forceful grinding sending tingles up Phainon’s spine. His head was going hazy, the lack of oxygen making his ears ring. His throat was full of Mydei’s tongue shoving itself down, his mouth filled with pools of their saliva, and in a final attempt to breathe, Phainon bit down on Mydei’s tongue and felt hot iron flood his tastebuds. Mydei let out a low rumble and the vibrations shook Phainon’s body, his hands gripped harder on where they were latched onto him and it was only when Phainon’s vision started blurring that Mydei finally pulled away from him, letting sweet sweet oxygen fill his burning lungs.

Phainon gasped heavily, flushed a deep gold and tears slipping down his face. His cheeks were wet with saliva and Mydei’s golden blood stained his teeth. “You—!” Phainon wheezed, bringing a shaky hand up to wipe his face, leaving sticky trails on his skin. He sent a wet glare at Mydei, the other man looking far too pleased with himself, an air of satisfaction around him as his eyes lingered heavily on Phainon. He licked his lips and leaned back towards him, his hand leaving Phainon’s hip to unbuckle the clasp on his pants, the clinking metal sending shivers up Phainon’s spine. It was a familiar sound, one that was always accompanied by pleasure that stained Phainon’s body for days.

He let Mydei press their lips together again, less consuming this time, and pulled his other hand off Phainon’s thigh. His leg dropped back to the ground and he guided Mydei’s hand to the front of his pants, tugging the fabric down until Mydei’s fingers pressed against his wet panties, lightly touching around the stained cloth. Mydei hooked his finger onto the hem of the underwear and tugged it down, a thick string of slick connecting the core of Phainon’s cunt to his panties until it was dragged down enough to break and splatter onto his thighs.

Mydei let out a breath, rough with desire as his cock finally popped out of his pants, red and hard and dripping with precum. Phainon reached out to it, his fingers wrapping around the girth and barely being able to circle around it, his thumb swiping the head and smearing cum along its length, smoothing the glide of his hand as he moved it up and down. Mydei let out a soft moan, his teeth nipping at Phainon’s bottom lip, pulling it before letting it go with a quiet pop. His fingers pressed inside Phainon’s cunt, the digits digging in and moving at the same pace as Phainon’s hand, as if they were connected.

Phainon arched his back, pressing their chests together as he spread his legs further apart, cunt clenching down on Mydei’s thick fingers. They were calloused in a way that brushed against his walls with a tingle, and strong as Mydei pressed against his sensitive points that he’d become intimately familiar with. He could feel a warmth gathering in his abdomen, pooling down as wet sounds filled the air and Mydei’s hips ground up into the hole Phainon’s hand made, cum dribbling out of him faster before Mydei grabbed his wrist, stopping both their movements. Phainon fluttered his eyes open, a desperate protesting gleam in his eyes. “Why…?” He asked, his voice high and reedy.

“I want to release inside you.” Mydei’s tone was just as ragged, his mouth slightly open as he panted. Phainon took his hand off Mydei’s cock, shivering as Mydei’s fingers left his cunt with a loud, wet sound. He hooked his index fingers on either side of his pussy and spread it open, arching his hips more into Mydei’s hungry view.

Mydei’s eyes were focused on Phainon’s spread cunt, his pink folds shiny with slick and pulsing gently in anticipation. He grabbed the base of his cock and pressed the tip into Phainon’s twitching entrance, both of their breaths catching at the suckling force of Phainon’s pussy. Mydei started gently pushing inside, his head slipping in, watching his girth be sucked into enticingly pink flesh, when all of a sudden—

RING RING RING

A loud ringing filled the air, shattering the heated atmosphere with its shrilling bell. Phainon flinched, his body tensing in surprise as Mydei cursed, his hips twitching at the way Phainon’s cunt squeezed around him. He looked at his ringing teleslate, saw the name of his teacher blaring across the screen, and reluctantly pulled out of tempting warmth, mourning the loss of Phainon’s cunt that he’d been deprived of for far too long and would be deprived of again.

Phainon let out a whimper of confusion. “Mydei?” He asked, his baby blues looking so sweet and glazed over with lust. His fingers were still hooked on the lips of his gorgeous cunt, still spreading them open in invitation, and Mydei wanted nothing more than to take what Phainon wanted to give, to fill his cunt with cock and seed, to press Phainon down on his bed and keep him there for days, weeks, months, if he would let him.

But his teleslate kept ringing, and Mydei knew his teacher would only be calling him at this time, when he knew Mydei would be with Phainon, if he was truly needed. So with great regret in his heart, he leaned in to press a soft kiss to Phainon’s pink lips. “I… I apologize,” Mydei whispered, his voice heavy with guilt, “I must answer this.” Phainon’s eyes dimmed before he smiled at him, shaky but still so achingly gentle.

“I understand.” Phainon kissed him back before pulling away, righting his underwear and pants on his hips. He helped Mydei buckle his pants as the Kremnoan talked on the teleslate, his hand placed on Phainon’s hip to keep him close for as long as possible.

“…I will arrive soon.” was what Phainon heard as he focused back in on Mydei’s conversation, his hands curled on Mydei’s chest as the man clutched Phainon against his body. Mydei hung up shortly after and looked into Phainon’s eyes, desire battling with duty and Phainon leaned in to press soothing kisses to his jaw, leaning their bodies closer together. “There’s been a fight amongst my people, and they refuse to resolve it without my judgement.” Mydei explained to him in a gentle voice. His eyes were solemn and longing. He hated having his private time with Phainon disrupted, they rarely got any as it was.

Phainon let out a little hum of understanding. “Go to your people, Mydei.” He said, reaching up to trail his fingers along Mydei’s strong cheekbones, the sharp edges of his jaw, the plushness of his lips. “We have time later.” Mydei pursed his mouth and nodded, nuzzling his nose into Phainon’s hair and taking a deep breath before separating from him.

“I have food in the fridge, should you grow hungry.” Mydei told him, lingering in front of the doorway as it unlocked and swung open behind him. “Stay for as long as you desire.” He waited for Phainon to nod before turning on his heel and parting from him, his back straight and steps measured, never once looking back as he headed off to his people.

Phainon let out a quiet sigh. It’d been so long since they were able to be alone… and Phainon finally managed to free up some time between Lady Aglaea’s missions, his meetings with the Council of Elders, and helping the people of Okhema… He pouted. Mydei had been inside him! His blessedly thick and long and hot cock finally prying Phainon open in a way he’d dreamed of for days, the heavy scent of desire and sweat and Mydei’s rippling muscles and burning golden eyes—

Phainon sighed again, the lingering tingles in his body barely subsiding. He sat down on Mydei’s bed, his back against the headboard and pillows blanketing his hips. His cunt still ached, and as he held Mydei’s main pillow to his nose, he was filled with his scent. Sweet pomegranate and a lingering iron that never quite faded from him. It was heady, it was something he had been missing for far too many months now, and as Phainon buried his face into the pillow again, he felt a slow warmth pool back into his abdomen.

Well… Mydei said he could stay as long as he pleased. And with such a generous offer, shouldn’t Phainon leave a present in return? Phainon smiled mischievously and got up on his knees. He kicked off his pants, slid his panties off, and placed Mydei’s pillow between his legs. He angled the edge of the pillow inbetween the lips of his wet cunt and slowly started rocking back and forth, the silky cloth smooth against his folds and staining dark with his slick. Phainon bit his lip as he imagined Mydei’s reaction when he would get back to his room and see what Phainon left for him. He could picture Mydei’s eyes darkening, that predatory look as he carefully examined his slick-soaked pillow and ruffled sheets, the stained panties Phainon would leave sitting on top of his pillow. What would he do? Would he press the wet panties to his nose? Breathe in the scent of Phainon’s arousal? Or would he unbuckle his pants, drop them to the ground and hold Phainon’s panties to his cock, rub the wet fabric along his girth and imagine it was Phainon’s cunt? Would he rut against his pillow, close his eyes and make the softness of the cotton into Phainon’s cunt? Would he imagine sinking into tight wet heat? Would he release his seed into the groove he made in the cushion, wishing it was Phainon, wishing his seed was flooding his womb instead of silky material?

Phainon’s hips moved faster and faster as he lost himself in his fantasies, his hands sneaking up his shirt to pinch dryly at peaked nubs, letting out an unsatisfied moan. He reached down and dragged his fingers across the slick along his thighs, this time tugging at his tits with wet hands and rolling them, pinching them, pulling them in the way Mydei liked doing. One hand slid down his abdomen and pressed down on his stomach, over where Mydei’s cock usually reached deep into him, prying him open again and again, relentless and unyielding and so demanding—a sweet, high-pitched cry ripped out of Phainon’s throat as he squirted onto Mydei’s pillow, soaking the entire cloth with his release, some of the spray arching into the air and landing on his bed sheets. Phainon fell back against the bed and arched his back, spreading his legs as his hips twitched and slick gushed out of him like a fountain. By the time Phainon finally felt like all the liquid had drained out of his body, he lifted his head weakly and giggled at the sight of Mydei’s entire bed soaked in his pleasure. His sheets were stained dark in large pools of liquid, some splattering and dotting all over, the worst of it catching on his pillow.

Phainon lay there panting, and when he finally caught his breath, he sat up and wiped his cunt with his panties, placing it gently on the flat side of the pillow before dressing himself back up, hissing as the seam of his trousers pressed against his sensitive cunt before leaving Mydei’s room with a happy hum, the heady scent of his arousal soaking the air until Mydei came back.

—

The next morning, Phainon woke up with a message from Mydei, sent in the late hours of the day.

—

HoneyFruitSoupIsDelicious:

Vixen

—

Phainon laughed quietly to himself, biting his bottom lip as he replied.

—

TheGreatestWork:

Did you enjoy my gift? (⁠｡⁠･⁠ω⁠･⁠｡⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠♡

—

Mydei’s answer came as Phainon was wandering around Marmoreal Market, waving to the merchants selling their wares and gently patting the heads of excited children. He reached a shadowed part of a building when his teleslate buzzed.

—

HoneyFruitSoupIsDelicious:

I will make sure to repay the favor. Many times over.

TheGreatestWork:

(⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠)

I hope you dreamed of me~

HoneyFruitSoupIsDelicious:

How could I not when the scent of your cunt blesses my bed even now?

—

A shuddering breath left Phainon’s mouth as he fanned his face, feeling heat creep onto his cheeks. Ugh, he really had been without Mydei for too long, if just this little bit already had his cunt twitching as he stood in public, where people milled around him, as hidden as he was in the shade. He tucked his hair behind his ear and pressed his back against the wall, making sure no one could see the screen of his teleslate and accidentally read the lewd messages between them.

—

TheGreatestWork:

Naughty

HoneyFruitSoupIsDelicious:

Only as much as you are

—

Phainon hid a little grin behind his hand, his heart fluttering at every word Mydei typed to him. He was in the middle of sending Mydei another message when a familiar voice called out to him. “Partner!” The Trailblazer’s cheerful yell echoed through the Market, the citizens leaping out of the way of the person charging right towards Phainon. He let out a little gasp before hurriedly tucking his teleslate away and opening his arms just in time to catch the flying figure. “There you are!” Trailblazer chirped up at him, their golden eyes twinkling in mirth.

“Hello, partner!” Phainon greeted them back just as enthusiastically, tightening his grip around them. Foreigners as they might be, Phainon found a twin flame in the Trailblazer, and their combined antics typically resulted in the people around them groaning in exasperation or trying to reel them in. Take now, for example, as Phainon saw Dan Heng hurrying towards them, apologizing as he passed by the people his companion bowled over to get to Phainon as quickly as possible.

Dan Heng let out a tired sigh as he reached them, calm teal eyes flickering up to meet Phainon’s. He opened his mouth to speak before pausing, an unreadable look entering his eyes as he took in a quiet breath. When Phainon tilted his head at him in question, he shut his mouth and sent a small smile Phainon’s way, shaking his head gently.

Phainon felt confusion well up inside him, but he wasn’t one to push if the other person didn’t want to talk, so he sent a smile to Dan Heng in return. “Hello, Dan Heng!” He greeted him, rocking the Trailblazer back and forth as they buried their face in his chest, rubbing their cheeks against him and giggling a bit oddly. Dan Heng sighed deeply as he reached over and yanked them off Phainon, the Trailblazer going with a mournful wail—something about ‘marshmallows’? Phainon couldn’t hear them properly before Dan Heng shoved a snack into their mouth—and then turned to Phainon with a tired smile.

“Hello, Lord Phainon.” He returned, his voice steady and calm as always. Phainon pouted, no matter how many times he told Dan Heng to just call him Phainon, the other man never let up on the formalities, unlike his companion, who hadn’t even attempted before cuddling Phainon like they were bosom buddies.

“Are we not close enough for you to drop the ‘Lord’, Dan Heng?” Phainon whined sadly, widening his eyes in the way he knew made everyone melt. Everyone except Dan Heng, it seemed, as he just blinked at Phainon placidly.

“Perhaps at a later time, Lord Phainon.” Dan Heng replied, his hand shoving another snack into the Trailblazer’s mouth after they finally finished swallowing. They let out a muffled protest before choking and turning around to hack the snack onto the dirt, loud wheezes leaving their mouth.

“Dry!” Was their complaint after they wiped their mouth and glared at Dan Heng indignantly. He looked apologetic as he brought out bottled water and Trailblazer beamed at him, snatching it up and guzzling it down before letting out a loud sigh of contentment and wiping their mouth. Phainon saw water still trailing down their chin, and he didn’t even think before pulling up the sleeve of his outerwear and leaning over to dab the remaining water off their skin.

Trailblazer paused, looking up at him with starry eyes. “Mother…” They whispered out, Phainon blinking at them as he registered the word.

“Oh, um. Thank… you?” Phainon wasn’t quite sure if it was a compliment or not, but Trailblazer seemed happy, so he could only assume so. Dan Heng looked ever suffering, his eyes gazing up at the sky as if pleading for an answer before nudging his companion.

“Weren’t we seeking Lord Phainon out?” He reminded them, making them perk up again as they smacked their fist against their palm in realization.

“Oh, right! I was going to ask if you wanted to come with Dan Heng and I to the Grove! I heard you spent ten years there, so you’d definitely know all the books Dan Heng needs to fill his Archive.” Trailblazer beamed up at him and Phainon felt himself flush a little in shyness at his regard, his hand rubbing the back of his head.

“I wouldn’t say I’m the best, but I do know my way around.” Phainon smiled at them and nodded. “I’d be more than honored to be your guide for the unforseeable future.” The Trailblazer cheered, throwing their hands in the air as Dan Heng’s eyes lit up in appreciation, taking his teleslate out to peer at the time.

“We have a reseveration for transportion by Dromas. Let us go before it passes in five minutes.” Phainon's mouth dropped open in an ‘o’ shape before he stepped away from the wall, ushering the two of them towards the Dromas stalls.

“Oh no, let’s hurry then! If we go quick, we can probably make it in two!” They started speed-walking towards their ride when the Trailblazer turned on their heel and walked backwards, their hands behind their head and peering at Phainon curiously. Dan Heng immediately grabbed the leash-like fabric on the back of their long coat and guided them around citizens standing in their path.

“By the way, partner,” Trailblazer started off, “who were you on the teleslate with? Your face was such a pretty gold!” At the question, Phainon’s face flared up, his hand reaching up to cover his burning cheeks. “Just like that!” Trailblazer cooed, pointing at him in victory. Dan Heng didn’t add to their conversation, but his head was slightly tilted their way.

“Well, I was just—I was just messaging Mydei.” Phainon stammered out, almost feeling guilty, even though he had no reason to be. Everyone in Okhema knew how close the two of them were, even if they weren’t aware of the full extent of it, but when Dan Heng paused for just a moment, his eyes narrowing in some kind of realization, Phainon couldn’t help but feel that he had accidentally said something he wasn’t supposed to.

Dan Heng’s quiet thoughtful hum was overshadowed by the loud, “Ooooo,” Trailblazer let out, their eyes sparking in interest. “What did he say? You were smiling so much.” They looked so genuinely curious, like a little puppy, and Phainon couldn’t help but melt just a little on the inside.

“It wasn’t much,” Phainon answered carefully, trying not to think about the topic Mydei and him had left off on. “Just… we hung out together last night and were continuing our conversation from then.” Even just the words brought back the memories from then, a little heat perking up in his gut. He remembered Mydei’s promise and bit his bottom lip, his thighs pressing together as they continued walking. He couldn’t wait for Mydei to bring his words to life, to really make Phainon feel just how much he appreciated his lewd little gift. He privately hoped Mydei was carrying his dirty panties around with him, maybe tucked into his pocket or—or maybe wrapped around his wrist underneath his metal gauntlet, to always be reminded of Phainon when he brushed his hair back with that hand or wiped sweat off, or did anything with it, the smell of his cunt lingering in the air around him. Phainon hoped Mydei thought of him as much as Phainon did of him. His breath hitched and he swallowed down his drool. Titans, he was pent up.

“..tner?” He blinked as he stopped abruptly in front of the Trailblazer, almost running into them when they stood there. Phainon started tipping over when a hand wrapped around his waist and straightened him up, firm and steady. He turned his head and saw Dan Heng standing there, his nostrils flared out as the corners of his eyes seemed to… tinge a bit red? He blinked again and it disappeared, the other man looking as unruffled as ever. Maybe it was just his imagination?

He patted the hand on his waist and said, “Thank you, Dan Heng! You’re really quite strong to be able to hold me!” Admiration colored his voice and Dan Heng sent him a small pleased smile before dropping his hand and standing a respectful distance from him again. Phainon briefly mourned the loss of that surprisingly cool touch before turning back to his partner. “Sorry about that! I got lost in my thoughts.” He looked around and saw that they were standing with the Dromases, the purple behemonth looming next to them, their giant doe eyes peering down at them patiently. “Wow, we’re already here?”

They got on per the instruction of the rider, and the trip to the Grove went about quickly, the ride rocking them back and forth as gentle breezes blew through their hair. The Trailblazer and Phainon talked the entire way through, filling any moment of silence by exchanging stories about their adventures, joking around and generally making a ruckus as Dan Heng sat next to them and listened, occasionally joining them when they would badger him. He took their rambunctious energy with the patience of someone who lived multiple lives and Phainon couldn’t help but admire that. He was almost like Mydei in a sense, both with a tenacious will and steadfast patience when it came to the people they cared about—though Phainon couldn’t help but rile Mydei up. It was just too fun.

…And now he was thinking of Mydei again. Ugh. Phainon pouted to himself. Usually he could go for a little bit without his head filling with thoughts of Mydei and comparing everyone to the prince, but he also usually didn’t go for so long without his private company. Phainon sighed, he missed him.

A hand touched his shoulder lightly and Phainon turned his head to see Dan Heng staring at him, the distant sound of the Trailblazer snapping photos in the background. “Are you well?” Dan Heng asked, his eyes colored in concern. It was asked in a murmur, as much privacy as Dan Heng could afford him in the situation they were in, and Phainon smiled, a warmth spreading in his chest at his careful worry.

Maybe it was Dan Heng’s dependable demeanor, his consideration, and how firm he was with himself that had Phainon confiding in him in a whisper, his face leaned down to close the distance between them. “I’m… I’m actually a bit lonely these days.” Phainon said, his eyes dropping to the hands curled in his lap, pinching the fabric of his pants between his fingers.

“…Is Mydei absent from you?” Dan Heng asked slowly, sounding like he didn’t want to overstep. Phainon’s head shot up and he looked at him with wide eyes, his mouth dropped open.

“Eh…?” Phainon let out, blinking rapidly. “How… how did you know about Mydei and I!” His voice rose up high before he ducked back down, his hand over his mouth as Trailblazer looked at them in confusion before shrugging when Dan Heng waved them off, going back to snapping photos noisily.

Dan Heng looked back at Phainon and said, “You both often smell… quite strongly… of each other.” There was a slight red tinge to his cheek before he rubbed at it with his fingers. “Though it has been very faint as of late.”

Phainon lifted his collar and sniffed inside his shirt in panic, but all he could smell was sweat and cotton, the fragrance of the scentless detergent Lady Aglaea introduced him to all those years ago. Nothing like Mydei, all cedar and iron and leather with a hint of pomegranate from how much he drank and ate of the fruit. He looked back at Dan Heng, bewildered, and the other man winced before reluctantly adding on.

“As a Scion of Permanence—” Dan Heng paused when Phainon stared blankly at him, coughing as he corrected himself, “—as a dragon, I have a very… sensitive nose. It is easier for me to identify specific scents to people as well as their emotional fluctuations.” He sat there quietly as Phainon processed his words.

Dragon? Phainon looked at Dan Heng’s very human ears and eyes, and leaned around to peer at his back—no tail. Dan Heng saw his confused look and sighed, closing his eyes before Phainon gasped, watching Dan Heng quietly transform in front of him. Pale, almost transparent teal horns grew from his head, his ears elongated, a red tinge appeared under his slitted eyes and disappeared beneath his long hair, and a massive tail curled around their feet, glowing faintly with power and teal rippling through it like rushing waves, a tuft of fur at the very end. Even his clothes changed, Phainon noted with awe, they were looser, flowy, bright white and jade entangled with gold, a cut-out of a lotus flower on his sternum.

He blinked again and Dan Heng was back to normal, like nothing had ever happened. “Eh…” Phainon let out a sound of disappointment.

“This is my perferred form.” Dan Heng said firmly, his hands folded neatly into his lap. “It is much easier to walk around as a human than as a dragon.”

“That’s incredible.” Phainon murmured, his eyes lighting up as his mind raced. “Does switching to that form cause any other changes than physical? Does the way you sense the world shift? Do you find yourself preferring certain environments over the other? Are your abiliti—” Phainon’s voice screeched to a halt as he thought back to Dan Heng’s words.

…Mydei and Phainon usually smelled especially strongly of each other? …He could smell emotional fluctuations? The gears in Phainon’s head creaked slowly as a pit in his stomach grew. The initial look Dan Heng gave him right after Phainon had been messaging Mydei. His flared nostrils when Phainon became distracted. The little breaths he would take when Phainon fell into his memories. How he had gotten Phainon’s attention the moment his mood dropped. Oh. Oh, no.

Phainon’s face burned gold and he couldn’t meet Dan Heng’s eyes, dropping them to the saddle they were sitting on. How embarassing… If what Dan Heng said was true, that would mean he would have smelled every time Mydei and Phainon had entangled with one another, knew exactly what they were up to when the two of them snuck off together during a celebration—he could smell whenever Phainon thought of Mydei. And he thought about him a lot. Now the way he always glanced between the two of them made sense, and so did the carefully asked question about their relationship Phainon hadn’t even registered at the time, answering confidently that they were the best of rivals. Ahhh, Phainon covered his face and screamed internally.

He felt a light touch on his head and couldn’t bring himself to lift his head up. “I… apologize if I overstepped my bounds.” Dan Heng’s gentle voice came from above him. “I care for you as a friend, and I’ve grown concerned over your somber mood.” Phainon whimpered quietly, squishing his face into his palms before he took a deep breath and looked up, his eyes teary from shyness and face completely flushed. Dan Heng looked so concerned, and his non-judgemental care, the patient air around him, had Phainon’s racing heart calming down.

“No, no. I’m truly grateful you care for me, Dan Heng.” Phainon reassured him, sitting back up with a small cough, his hands smoothing over the wrinkles he made in his clothes. “Um. Mydei’s been very busy lately so we haven’t been able to spend much time together.”

Dan Heng made a noise of understanding. “I’ve heard about the commotion in the Kremnoan area. Still,” he looked a bit disapproving, “we’ve seen you run yourself ragged in order to free time up for him. As a committed lover, he should also be making an effort—” Phainon waved his hands around, eyes wide in panic.

“Woah! Wait, wait a minute.” Dan Heng blinked at him, head tilted to the side in confusion. “Mydei and I aren’t lovers! We just, well, it’s just a bit of release. The both of us are quite strong, and I don’t think any normal person would be able to withstand our force.” There was a long silence, and Phainon noticed the lack of clicking when a heavy weight landed on his shoulders and he steadied himself.

“Hey! What are you guys talking about?” The Trailblazer’s voice chirped from above them, bright and cheerful. Phainon jumped slightly and coughed, reaching up to pat his partner on the shoulder.

“Nothing—” Phainon tried to say before Dan Heng interjected, an almost stunned look in his eyes.

“Mydei and Phainon are not in a relationship.” The sound died out around them and it seemed as if even the Dromas stopped making noise.

Then—

“WHAT?” A loud screech shot through the air and Phainon winced, his hands slamming over his ears. Smaller hands pried his palms off and Trailblazer tipped upside down to stare him straight in the eyes. “You and Mydei aren’t dating? But, but, HUH!” They sputtered to themselves, mumbling wildly before launching themselves off to the side and typing furiously on their teleslate. Phainon stared after them, thrown off by both their reactions. He looked back at Dan Heng and saw him staring off into the distance. He followed his gaze and sighed in relief; the Grove was entering their view, and his freedom crept closer and closer with every heavy stomp.

—

Things settled down after that, as his partner ran off by himself to explore the fiction section of the library while Dan Heng wandered off the the historical side. Since his main task was to guide him, Phainon followed after the other man. The silence between them wasn’t heavy, despite the odd conversation that just occured, and Phainon found himself relaxing in Dan Heng’s comforting presence. They exchanged quiet words as Dan Heng flipped through books, listening to Phainon’s explanation of events that occurred. While Phainon was often called a fictional historian, due to the stories he liked to embellish (history was so boring otherwise! Could you really say with certainty that everything Phainon said was truly false? Exactly), he still knew enough from Teacher Tribbie drilling it into his head, he just liked to see everyone’s reactions whenever he went off on tangents. Dan Heng listened with such focus that Phainon couldn’t bear to mess with him, so he tried his hardest to recall everything he knew and watched in awe as Dan Heng recorded it down with speedy hands.

“You’re really good with your hands.” Phainon praised him, eyes shining brightly. Dan Heng paused, his fingers hovering over his teleslate.

He looked at Phainon. “…Yes. I have ample practice with them.” He continued looking, his eyes searching, until Phainon started fidgeting, his ears heating up under Dan Heng’s intense gaze. “You really have stunning eyes.” He murmured softly, looking at Phainon as if remembering something. “Like a bright sun amongst the bluest sky. How freeing.”

Phainon’s heart fluttered at how sincere he sounded, the back of his hand over his mouth as his eyes lowered. “T…thank you.” It was something he heard quite often, but coming from someone like Dan Heng who never flattered, who always spoke honestly and to the point, especially with that longing look in his eyes… Well, Phainon couldn’t help the butterflies in his stomach.

Dan Heng paused again, and Phainon saw his mouth drop open to take in a small breath, his nostrils flaring. He felt a prickle in his skin, wondering what Dan Heng would smell on him this time. His shyness? His giddiness at a sincere compliment? Whatever it was, Dan Heng placed the book back onto the shelf and wrapped his hand around Phainon’s wrist, drawing him into the shadow of a secluded aisle. “Lord Phainon,” Dan Heng started slowly, a contemplative frown on his face as he seemed to fight over whether or not to continue speaking. Phainon placed his free hand over the one grabbing him and curled his fingers around it, patting them. Dan Heng let out a quiet breath. “If you are… amendable to the idea, I would like to extend an offer of my intimate company.” His voice was stilted, a bit awkward, like he’d never said anything like it before.

Phainon would be stunned if he didn’t find it endearing how weirdly formal Dan Heng propositioned him, the tips of his ears turning a faint red. It wasn’t the first one he’d ever received and it certainly wouldn’t be the last, but maybe it could be the second he accepted. Dan Heng was quite beautiful as well, an almost delicate curve to his features that hid his astounding strength and fierceness in battle, and he was gentle, considerate, and mature. If he was like that as a companion, how would he be as a lover? There was just one question Phainon had. “How come you’ve never sought me out before?”

“I believed you to be spoken for.” Dan Heng answered, the tension in his body Phainon hadn’t even noticed relaxing as they continued talking. “A dragon becomes monogamous when they claim a mate, and in turn incredibly territorial. I would never presume to insert myself into a committed relationship.” Phainon nodded, right, both the pioneers thought Mydei and him were dating… Phainon blushed a little at the thought. Dan Heng waited for his answer, his hand twitching anxiously against Phainon’s wrist.

Phainon smiled and leaned down, pressing a kiss to Dan Heng’s cheek. “I accept your proposal, Lord Dan Heng.” He teased, the other man sighing as he fought back a smile. Dan Heng glanced around to make sure no one else was there before gently pressing Phainon into the bookshelf, his head tilted up. Phainon let out a quiet giggle, leaning down to connect their lips together. It was… different. In a good way. Hands curled around his hips as Dan Heng let out a contented sigh against his mouth, both their eyes slipping shut.

Dan Heng kissed differently from Mydei. Where Mydei was all-consuming, clashing teeth and bitten lips and tongue ravaging like he wanted to devour Phainon—Dan Heng was slow, gentle. He kissed softly, a quiet press of lips and teeth lightly nibbling Phainon's bottom lip, his cool tongue pressing against the closed seam of his mouth until Phainon let out a pleased sigh, parting his lips for Dan Heng to slip his tongue inside. He curled it against Phainon’s teeth, his tongue flicking the roof of his mouth in methodical movements. He kissed like a promise, intimate and relentless. Phainon sank into Dan Heng’s quiet control, letting him guide where his tongue should meet his, leaning his entire weight against the shorter man as a shiver ran through his body. Dan Heng was really quite strong, Phainon thought faintly, he held Phainon up without a single tremble, his grip firm but restrained, as if he was actually trying to hold back his strength. The thought made Phainon’s skin tingle in anticipation. Only Mydei was stronger than him, could use his pure might to force him into submission, to pin him down and break him open as Phainon lay helpless beneath him, his body taking and taking.

Dan Heng felt similar to him in that moment. A subtle strength pinning Phainon in place as he tried to arch against his body, unable to move against that strong grip on his hips. Thumbs pressed into his stomach and Phainon moaned softly, hands loosely curled on Dan Heng’s shoulders, careful not to stretch his shirt. Dan Heng pulled away, a thin string of saliva connecting their mouths before breaking and landing on his chin. Phainon’s eyes fluttered open, a questioning noise leaving him before he squeaked as Dan Heng leaned up to lave his tongue over the spittle, licking it up and swallowing it without a flinch.

“D-Dan Heng!” Phainon whispered in mortification. Dan Heng blinked at him, smiling as he caressed his cheek like one would a puppy, Phainon reluctantly leaning into the warmth. Then he pulled away, and Phainon almost protested until he heard quick footsteps coming their way, a cheerful hum filling the air, and by the time the Trailblazer stepped into their aisle, Dan Heng had already returned to the shelves, filtering through more books.

They thrust a book out to them, an almost manic look in their eyes as they spoke through cackling laughter. Phainon took it from their hands and read the title, his face flaring up again for a different reason. ‘My Professor Can’t Be This Cute!’ was emboldened on the front and Phainon choked. “This is still here? Professor Anaxa went through a purge of the library when it first made its rounds!”

His partner leaned in, their hand cupped around their mouth as they whispered conspiratorially, Phainon bending down to listen. “That’s not the only one I found. Come with me!” A hand wrapped around his wrist and Phainon felt himself being tugged away, his feet dragging as he looked behind him towards Dan Heng.

The other man nodded at him, grabbing another book off the shelf. “Go. We can continue at a later time, in the privacy of our rooms.” Phainon sent a small smile back and started following the Trailblazer, a quiet anticipation curling in his gut.

—

The chance didn’t come until almost a week later, when Phainon ran into Dan Heng walking back from the Dromas pens carrying a a pile of books. “Oh, Dan Heng!” Phainon raised a hand to wave at him, jogging til he fell into step next to him. “Where did you come from?” The shorter man raised his chin in greeting, his hands carefully balancing his items as he made space for Phainon.

“The Grove.” He answered, his voice curled with satisfaction. “They allowed me to bring books out of there.” Phainon looked at him in surprise. The scholars were widely known for how protective of their texts they could be, and it was like dragging a Dromas to the vet for their bi-annual check-up when it came to taking books from the Grove.

“Wow, they must really like you.” He commented, tilting his head and winking. “Though it’d be hard not to!” Dan Heng shook his head with a chuckle before handing a stack of books to Phainon, who took it without even blinking.

“Come help me bring these to my room.” Dan Heng paused, then sent him a measured look. “And stay for the night.” Phanion nearly tripped as his feet bumped into each other, blood rushing to his ears as his eyes wandered around the Marketplace, darting around to see if anyone heard. Luckily at this time, most people were concentrated on packing up their stalls and going home, except for a few stragglers who were stumbling around drunk. No one even glanced their way, as inconspicious as they normally were. He looked back at Dan Heng and cleared his throat, his body buzzing in place.

“…Okay.” He whispered back, swallowing dryly. As they made their way back to Dan Heng’s room, Phainon was hyperaware of the charged air between them. The other man remained collected, walking with steady steps and looking as if he was simply on his way back to retire for the night, like he hadn’t just propositioned Phainon in the middle of the street. Phainon felt a little embarassed at how excited he was, and that was when Dan Heng’s eyes shot to him, an almost intense light to them.

“You’re not the only one eager to be alone.” Dan Heng murmured lowly, a glint of slitted pupils flashing at Phainon before returning to normal. “I simply hide it better.” A rush of heat ran down Phainon’s spine and he quickened his steps, Dan Heng keeping pace with him. When they reached the entrance to his room, Dan Heng stood in front of the door as Phainon bounced up and down on his heels, impatient the longer it took for the door to unlock. As soon as it swung open, Phainon rushed inside, the heat in his body spreading further—and nothing even happened yet!

He heard the soft click of the lock clasping and gasped as a tail, cool and smooth to the touch like a stone sat in a rushing stream, wrapped around his waist, steadying his eager movements. The books nearly tumbled out of his grip before hands reached from his side to grab them and place them with the others on a table. Phainon rested his palm on the tail, his fingertips trailing up and down the strong appendage. It was much thicker up close, faint scales decorating the length, and as he brushed his hand along them, he realized they didn’t feel like anything, as if they were merely imprints. It was cool, almost to the point of being cold, and incredibly beautiful, waves of light washing up and down like water.

Hands, pointed at the tip like talons, slid up his chest and cupped his tits, squeezing the soft flesh between them. Dan Heng’s face pressed between his shoulder blades and even with the difference of height between them, Phainon felt enveloped by the quiet power emanating from him. He let out a soft breath and leaned back, resting his weight on Dan Heng. Dan Heng massaged him slowly, sinking his fingers in, the pinpricks of pain translating to pleasure in Phainon’s mind. He bit his bottom lip to keep his noises in, not wanting to break the delicate silence between them, when he felt the tail—still curled around his waist—sneak its way down his leg, winding around the limb before the fluffy tip poked between his legs. He let out a squeak and snapped his thighs shut, trapping it there as it pressed against his cunt curiously, rubbing up and down his crotch.

A sudden thought crossed his mind. “W-wait,” he breathed out. He held back a small whine of disappointment when all movement ceased. “I… my body is a bit, um, unique.” Dan Heng kept silent, and Phainon’s heart thudded in his chest. “I don’t have the traditional… equipment men usually have.” The tail paused, and Phainon waited with baited breath, before it stiffened and jabbed up into his cunt, pressing into him the best as it could with two fabrics as a barrier. Phainon moaned in surprise, his hips twitching and stomach tensing as he felt slick seeping from him.

Dan Heng finally spoke, his voice low and almost gravelly. “I am aware. You often smell quite sweet.” His hands dragged down Phainon’s chest and ripping noises filled the air as Phainon’s shirt was cut open, his tits spilling out from the openings, his nipples hardening in the cool air. He let out a gasp, his ears flushing as he watched those tipped nails approach him again, grabbing bare flesh and digging in, golden blood dotting underneath where they pressed into him. Phainon squeezed his eyes shut and arched his back, shoving his chest further into Dan Heng’s unforgiving hold. “Forgive me for presuming, however,” he dug his nails in more and blood trailed down his torso, “I have a second-hand confidence that you enjoy a bit of force.”

Phainon let out a wet laugh, sparks flickering behind his eyelids. “Did you… did you smell that on me too?” He asked, his thighs tensing around that flexible tail, flinching as it snuck up to brush against his stomach, hooking into the hem of his pants. The fur was a bit prickly, a little stiff, and an unbidden memory rose up in his mind. Whenever Mydei bottomed out into him, the hair on his abdomen always pressed into him like this too, a signal that his cock was buried balls deep inside of him. Phainon let out a breathy moan and he heard a quiet breath being sucked in behind him. The tail snuck inside his pants and past his panties, rubbing roughly against his wet cunt as it became damp with slick. It was such an erotic feeling, the coolness of Dan Heng’s tail lighting up Phainon’s nerves as it played with his heated pussy, rubbing between his wet lips and digging into him, his walls squeezing around the stiff fur. It ripped itself from the tightness of his cunt and flicked against his clit, scraping against the nub and the shock of pain made Phainon’s knees lose their strength, and if it wasn’t for the base of the tail still wrapped around him, he would have crumpled to the floor.

He slumped back against Dan Heng’s chest and felt lips press against his ear, a long thin tongue swiping against his cheek, licking up the sweat beading on his skin. “There’s always a scent of iron on you when you come back from being ravished.” He whispered into Phainon’s ear, his hands clawing down the rest of his shirt, down his pants, shreds of fabric floating through the air and falling to the ground in piles as he was stripped naked. Phainon let out ragged pants, completely powerless against the iron-clad grip on him, cool air brushing over his bare skin and the sting of claws marking him. His skin rose with welts, and his blood pushed to the surface, pulsing like it wanted to come out. Phainon almost wanted it to, and he wished Dan Heng would dig his hands into Phainon and break him apart, make his mind all fuzzy and blank. His body buzzed like a motor was under his skin and he let out a weak moan as he felt himself being lifted into the air, dangling there helplessly as Dan Heng walked them over to his bed, laying him face down on the mattress.

His face planted itself into Dan Heng’s pillow and he breathed in the scent of wood like the paper of bound books, the salt from a light sea breeze, clean and fresh. It was so subtle, but it flooded his nose in waves, his body twitching as he was held down by the tail sprawling across his body, so heavy he couldn’t even move, where all he could do was wait. Silky hair cascaded down his back, slipping down his sides as he shivered at the ticklish feeling, a plush mouth pressing closed mouth kisses to the back of his neck, licking down his spine and stopping at the dimples above his ass. He let out a moan of pain as sharp fangs bit into his skin, sliding through his flesh like knife into butter, and iron seeped into the air. Dan Heng sucked on the wound, Phainon’s raw flesh pulling up with it and his cunt throbbed, slick spurting out of him in short, forceful waves.

“O-oh Titans…” Phainon sobbed into the pillow, his hips arching up until Dan Heng forced them back down, his nails digging into the back of his upper thighs. Dan Heng ground against his bare cunt and Phainon’s breath hitched when he felt the hefty weight and size of it. It was as if there were… two? bumps there. He made a little confused noise and squeaked when Dan Heng unlatched from him, his teeth sliding out with a wet noise as he heard the other man swallowing. His bitten flesh pulsed in the air and it synced with his cunt like a heartbeat.

“I also have a unique composition in this body.” Dan Heng said, his voice still smooth, controlled. There was a sound of a zipper and shuffling as Phainon saw the fabric being tossed to the side along with Dan Heng’s shirt. The tail lifted off him just to wrap about his waist again, this time curling around his chest to lift him back up and press him against Dan Heng, the slick-drenched tip brushing across his cheeks and his lips, nudging into his mouth until he was licking at the wet fur scratching the inside of his mouth. It left him to cup the back of his head and tilt it down as he felt something cool slide between his legs, settling against his cunt. He looked down and his breath caught in his throat.

Two cocks, bigger and thicker than an average male, nestled themselves in the cradle of his thighs, the base a normal tone as teal seeped up further to the tip, the length ribbed and secreting some sort of liquid. Phainon shook, his heart thumping in both anxiety and curiousity. “How…” He could barely say it, and he watched as precum beaded the tips of both of them.

“It won’t hurt.” Dan Heng reassured him, pressing a kiss to the back of his shoulder, his teeth nipping at him. “The liquid will numb most of the pain, and I will stretch both of your holes sufficiently.” Phainon’s breath hitched. Mydei rarely used his ass, there were only a few instances where his cunt had gotten too sore from Mydei’s relentless desire that they resorted to it, but Phainon could feel the phantom pleasure already. He nodded eagerly and felt Dan Heng smile into his neck. “Good.” He said before laying Phainon back down.

Slick sounds filled the air and Phainon breathed quietly, anticipation building in his gut as he could only hear what was happening. He jumped when the tail pressed against his cunt again, this time dripping with what he could only assume was the same liquid being secreted by Dan Heng’s cocks, and it teased at his entrance, pressing in and out gently. Phainon spread his legs wider, his ears flushing at the quiet chuckle behind him, and he let out a gasping moan as it sunk into him, thin at the tip and stretching him wider and wider as more inched in. It truly wasn’t painful, just a feeling of fullness in his gut that scraped against his sensitive points. At the same time, he could feel blunt nails press against his hole, and he almost felt disappointment at not having the talons. Dan Heng bit his shoulder in reprimand and Phainon yelped, embarassment creeping up as he realized Dan Heng most likely smelled it. “I don’t want to rip you apart, Phainon.” Dan Heng said, his voice dripping in fond exasperation.

Phainon laughed, little keens slipping from his mouth as he turned his head to the side and looked at Dan Heng from the corner of his eye. “You, you dropped the Lord.” The tail dug further into him and his eyes rolled up, clenching down on the appendage and he squirted, the sound loud in his soundless cry. Dan Heng leaned down and bit down on his earlobe.

“You seem pleased.” He said, sliding his cocks against the dip of his waist, the liquid dripping onto his wound and numbing the pulse of heat. Phainon was gripping the bedsheets, his nails digging into the fabric as he waited for the buzzing in his head to clear up.

“Y-yess,” Phainon slurred out, his tongue rolling out when fingers pushed into his ass, mercilessly jabbing up into him. “I’m, ah, very plea-sed, ah!” They dug into him, slender but long, pressing against his walls, massaging them as the tail started pistoning in and out of his cunt, the prickles scraping inside his pussy as the cool firm length soothed the ache. The bed shook with the force of it pounding into him and Phainon couldn’t stop the moans ripping out of him, wet squelches echoing in the air as slick gushed out of him with every move. His moans reached a fever pitch when Dan Heng’s fingers slammed into his prostate, the electric pleasure shooting up his spine and he seized down on both the tail and fingers, his legs flailing out as he writhed, shoving his hips further down and drenching the bed in his release.

Both the appendages yanked out of him and Phainon sobbed, feeling achingly bare as both his holes clenched around empty air. “Why—” he pleaded, his body tingling in pleasure he hadn’t been able to experience in months. “Please, please, Dan Heng, I need it—” His voice broke off as the two large tips of Dan Heng’s cocks pressed against his holes, dripping wetly. His heartbeat picked up and he wiggled his hips down to take them in, but the tail held his waist and he was forced to just wait. Thankfully, Dan Heng felt merciful, and Phainon let out a breathy sigh as they finally sank into him, the cocks prying open his cunt and ass, filling him up to an almost uncomfortable degree. His stomach pushed out and strained against the tail keeping him in place and he groaned, burying his face into the pillow and breathing in slowly. He could feel them pressing against each other inside of him, separated by a thin wall of flesh as they moved up and down in sync.

Dan Heng started off gently, his hips drawing out and pressing back in, long pauses between wet slaps until Phainon was whining in impatience, trying to bear his hips down to take them in faster, but the tail was too strong and his feet pushed against the bed futilely. “Faster!” Phainon demanded, tears welling up in his eyes. He wanted to be taken apart, and while he appreciated Dan Heng easing him in, he wanted more and he wanted it now.

Dan Heng let out a huff of laughter and Phainon felt him adjust himself on the bed, leaning down to press his chest against Phainon’s back. His cool hair covered Phainon’s view and enveloped him in darkness, the scent of the ocean filling his lungs. Dan Heng nudged his chin up and opened his mouth for a kiss. Phainon noticed an immediate difference when Dan Heng kissed him in this form. His tongue was thinner, forked at the tip and flexible, long. Very long. He kissed just as gently, but with a insistent persistence to him now, spending less time mapping out Phainon’s mouth and quicker to slip his tongue to the back of his throat, flicking against the wall of flesh there before Dan Heng’s tongue started descending down Phainon’s throat. He choked a little, but it didn’t completely fill him up. It was an odd feeling; something long and wet, slimy and smooth, sliding down his esophagus without pause, until Phainon was swallowing it down, his throat squeezing around the appendage.

The tail tightened around his waist and Phainon broke free from the kiss to drop his head back down as Dan Heng pulled out until the only the tips were inside—then slammed into Phainon, his hips connecting with Phainon’s ass in harsh slaps. Phainon squealed, biting down on the pillow as drool dripped down his chin and tears ran down his face. The two cocks forced him open, forced him to let them in, and the one in his pussy battered against his cervix, striking it mercilessly until it broke open for him, his cock boring into the tight opening with precision. Phainon choked, his pussy trying to squeeze down, but the tail yanked him up and Dan Heng’s cocks almost slipped out, his cunt and ass suckling on them to keep them in, the flesh molding around the girths.

Dan Heng railed him into the mattress, his hips slapping against his ass like a machine, non-stop even as Phainon came around him countless times until his bedsheets were ruined beyond repair, and as he felt a neverending stream of cool cum breed his cunt and ass, his stomach distending from the amount, Phainon had a faint thought that he hoped Lady Aglaea would forgive him for ruining his clothes before his vision whited out and his eyes rolled up.

—

Phainon wakes up to the tail wrapped around one of his legs, creeping up to his waist and around his back to his chest, the now-dry tip brushing up and down his skin in soothing motions. He feels clean, even as sore as his body is. His hips ache, his throat aches, his pussy and ass aches—everything feels like it’s been battered—and Phainon loves it. Finally, finally, his lust is satiated, the simmering heat that’s been building up in his gut, that only got worse after the failed tryst with Mydei, is quiet now. He feels a delicate hand run through his hair and tilts his chin up to chase after it, his eyes still closed.

Dan Heng laughs above him, quiet in the lazy air between them. “How do you feel?” His voice is hushed, gentle, and Phainon practically purrs when his fingers scratch at his scalp. He stretches, his back curving and legs tensing as he flutters his eyes open, looking up at his companion. Dan Heng looks relaxed, his eyes softened and calm. He tangles his hand into Phainon’s hair and looks a bit distant, rolling the strands between his fingers.

“Good.” Phainon rasps out, his voice hoarse and raspy. He blinks in surprise, then a cup of water presses against his lips and he takes little sips, the cool liquid soothing his sore throat.

There’s a pause as they lay there in silence before Dan Heng breaks it. “Lord Mydeimos called.” Phainon’s head jolts up and Dan Heng looks contrite. “When it wasn’t picked up, he kept calling over and over again. I was worried it would wake you so I,” he hesitates, “I messaged him from my teleslate that you were asleep. He stopped after that.” There’s a guilt that hangs around his mouth and Phainon blinks at him, his eyebrows furrowed.

“Well, that’s fine? What has you so worried?” Phainon asked, taking the cup of water with his hand and draining it. Dan Heng hums uneasily.

“His silence has me believing he is… displeased.” He answers, pursing his mouth. “I assumed your relationship with him was not romantic, but now I feel as if I overstepped.”

Phainon… stops. And stares at him. “But it isn’t romantic?”

“Are you absolutely certain about that?” Dan Heng asks him, and an uneasy feeling creeps up in Phainon’s stomach. “Because I’m not sure Lord Mydeimos feels the same.”

He frowns. “Mydei is the one who proposed our current situation in the first place. I tried asking if he would be okay with me sleeping with other people and he agreed.” He tries not to feel too down about it. Phainon tried to probe if Mydei wanted an exclusive relationship once by asking that and Mydei just… agreed.

Dan Heng pauses and just looks at him, his eyes tired and exasperated. “Lord Phainon,” he ignores Phainon’s indignant noises, “please speak with Lord Mydeimos about your relationship again. And please be more blunt about it.” Phainon pouts at him, but Dan Heng doesn’t crumble and stares back. Phainon looks away first.

“Ugh. Okay. But when I get my heart broken again, you have to comfort me.” Phainon huffs and slumps back down on the bed, petting the tail around him.

Dan Heng smiles a little knowing smile and doesn’t reply.

—

It’s the next day that Mydei comes to Phainon’s room while he’s lounging on his bed in a thin bathrobe, his body still aching. His eyes are closed when he hears his door start unlocking, and there’s only one other person he’s ever registered to his room. His heart picks up when he hears the lock click shut and heavy footsteps march to him. They stop at the foot of his bed and Phainon still doesn’t open his eyes, his breathing slow and steady.

He can feel a gaze trailing up and down his body, pausing on the bite marks and bruises that peek past where the robe slips off him. He barely holds back a flinch when a warm hand presses on his sternum, fingertips trailing up his neck and pressing against his lips. Phainon finally opens his eyes when he feels a weight sit on his bed, and he meets Mydei’s golden gaze, something unreadable and solemn in them.

“Hello, Mydeimos.” Phainon whispers, a small smile on his lips. Mydei looks at him, plants a hand across his waist, and leans down to kiss him, their mouths meeting together in a soft motion. It’s not heated, just a gentle press of lips, and Phainon sighs against him, his hand reaching up to curl into his thick hair.

Mydei barely pulls back and murmurs against his mouth, “I’m back, Phainon.” Phainon feels his heart settle inside him, an restless feeling he hadn’t even noticed leaving with a pleased sigh.

“I think we need to talk,” Phainon says. He feels like he understands something he wishes he got all those years ago when they first started their current situation. Mydei meets his eyes, searching for something he seems to find, and he finally smiles back at him.

“Yes.” Is all he says back. He leans away to give Phainon room to sit up, his back pressed against his headrest. As soon as Phainon situates himself, Mydei immediately says, “I want to be exclusive.” His mouth is set in a stubborn line as he continues. “I want you to be mine. I've been neglectful towards you and I vow to make sure you never feel that way again.”

Phainon blinks, almost taken aback as he processes Mydei's words. He thought they would need to talk more… “I want that too.” He says back, Mydei’s eyes lighting up. “I just thought… well, I thought you didn’t, to be honest. I asked if you’d be okay with me sleeping with other people and you said yes, so I just…”

Mydei’s mouth drops open and then he closes his eyes, a deep sigh leaving his mouth. “And I thought you had someone in mind when you asked. I didn’t have any right over you, so all I could do was agree.” They both sit there in silence, the ridiculousness of their actions sinking in at that moment. Phainon huffs out a laugh and hooks his arms around Mydei’s neck, tugging him in to kiss him, nibbling on his bottom lip.

“Well, I’ll formally ask you then.” He presses their foreheads together and looks in Mydei’s eyes as he says, “Please be my lover, Mydeimos.”

Mydei smirks. “That wasn’t a question.” He lets out a chuckle when Phainon rolls his eyes and smacks him on the shoulder. “I would be honored to be your lover, Phainon.” Mydei wraps Phainon in his arms and presses their chests flush together, kissing him deeply. His tongue slips in and Phainon curls his around it, soft smacking sounds echoing in their ears. Mydei’s hand dips below Phainon’s bathrobe and he shudders, a heat pooling in his gut.

Mydei brushes over the bruises on his hips, his hands trailing over his cunt, and Phainon winces, holding his wrist. “I’m a bit sore there.” Phainon says, his eyes apologetic. Mydei nods in thought, leaning in for a quick kiss before he pulls back.

“Too sore even for my mouth?” He asks, and Phainon pauses, eyes looking up as he thinks. His cunt is defnitely too sore to take another cock stretching it out beyond its limits, but Mydei’s tongue is soft and wet, flexible and presses in all the right places. Phainon feels himself leak in his robe and Mydei smirks as it drips onto his fingers.

Phainon lets out a little hmph and sprawls back on his bed, spreading his legs as he looks at Mydei with an arrogant little look. “Well?” He says, raising an eyebrow, his robe parting at his legs and baring his swollen cunt to Mydei’s appreciative eyes.

“I’m at your service, Princess.” Mydei teases as he slides between Phainon’s legs, his hands hooking on the back of Phainon’s knees, pressing them against his sides as he sinks his mouth onto Phainon’s cunt, pressing light kisses to the heated lips, laving his tongue around the flesh and licking up the slick slowly trickling out of him.

Phainon lets out a muffled moan, his head tilted back and eyes fluttering closed. Mydei presses his tongue into him, pressing against his sore walls and soothing the tiny scrapes along the inside of his pussy, wet noises filling the air as Phainon gets wetter, his hips twitching up to bare himself more to Mydei. His lover drops his mouth open, enveloping the seam, and sucks, loudly slurping down Phainon’s pleasure as his hands shoot down to grab Mydei’s hair, dragging him down flush against his cunt as he grinds into his face, rutting into his mouth over and over again until Mydei’s thumb presses against his aching clit and Phainon’s legs shake as he squirts, Mydei drinking it down like a man dying of thirst.

Phainon slumps down on his bed, his body shivering from aftershocks and drool running down his chin as Mydei sits back up, licking his lips while his face is shiny from Phainon’s slick splattering across it. He looks smugly satisfied and when Phainon gestures weakly at him, he quickly strips himself of his clothes and slips into bed with him, an arm around Phainon’s waist as he settles into his side, planting little kisses wherever he can reach.

Phainon stares at his ceiling until he catches his breath and he mutters to himself, “I need to thank Dan Heng.” Then he yelps when Mydei bites his cheek, whipping his head around to see a jealous little pout on his face.

“Don’t mention other men when we’re lying naked in bed together.” He says as Phainon smiles back sheepishly at him.

“Oops.”

—

The day they send the Astral Express off, Phainon spots Mydei and Dan Heng off to the side, heads leaning close to each other as they talk quietly. Mydei is listening to whatever Dan Heng is saying, an attentive look on his face before he nods and smiles. They clasp their arms before parting, Mydei walking back to Phainon to press a kiss to his cheek. “What were you guys talking about?” Phainon asks, curiosity poking at him.

Mydei shrugs, “We came to an understanding.” It’s cryptic, and Phainon narrows his eyes at him. Mydei refuses to say more and Phainon huffs, turning around and seeing Dan Heng standing there, looking at him. He starts walking over, squeezing Mydei’s hand before he leaves, and greets Dan Heng with a smile.

“The both of you scent much happier.” Is the first thing Dan Heng says to him, a pleased curve to his lips. Phainon blushes, heat rising to his cheeks and he brings a hand up to press against his face.

“Ah, yes.” Phainon says, unable to stop the corners of his lips from rising. He clears his throat. “I wanted to thank you for giving me that push. Titans knows how long it would have taken us if you hadn’t—or if it would have happened at all.”

Dan Heng shakes his head. “I didn’t do much. I have full confidence that this is where you and Lord Mydeimos would have always ended up.”

“I want to thank you anyways.” Phainon says firmly, “We were being idiots, and maybe we needed a perspective from the outside to right us.” Phainon paused before he softened his voice, eyes encouraging, “and I hope you will be able to take courage from this and talk to the one you yearn for.”

Dan Heng looked startled, his hands almost lifted in defense before he dropped them to his sides again. “How did you…” He asked quietly, his eyes widened in surprise. Phainon clasped a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it gently.

“Because you looked at me as if you wanted to see someone else. I’m not mad or anything!” He waved his hand in reassurance when Dan Heng looked apologetic. “I think that while we did enjoy each other’s company, both of our hearts were spoken for.”

It was always going to be Mydei for Phainon in the end. And Phainon could tell there was someone Dan Heng longed for. Maybe someone who looked similar to Phainon? In the aftermath when they lay tangled together in a sleepy haze, Dan Heng had gently brushed his long fingers through Phainon’s white hair, a distant look in his eyes. His fingers had gone past the length of Phainon’s, as if he was expecting it to be longer, and there had been a brief pause before Dan Heng focused back on him with a lingering look of both longing and guilt.

Phainon knew what that was like, and he wanted Dan Heng to have a happy ending as well. He cared for him deeply, and as Phainon watched his friend’s expression morph into a firm determination, he held hope that it would turn out as well for him as it did for Phainon.

Footsteps ran towards them and they both turned to see Trailblazer leaping at them, Phainon’s arms scrambling to catch their flailing body as Dan Heng slapped a hand to his face. Phainon grabbed a hold of their waist as they slung an arm over his shoulder, reaching out for Dan Heng until he reluctantly stepped into their grasp. “Hello, partner.” Phainon greeted them and they beamed at him.

“Hiya, partner! I couldn’t leave without saying good bye to my one and only hero!” They smushed their cheek to Phainon’s and he couldn’t help but laugh, nuzzling back into them.

“My hero.” He teased back at them, and they sent him another smile before looking at Dan Heng, pausing as they stared at his face.

Suddenly they narrowed their eyes and smirked. “We going back to the Luofu, young pining dragon?” They asked as Dan Heng sputtered at them, a red tinge creeping on their cheek.

“Am I that easy to read…?” Dan Heng sighed out before nodding. “If we are able to.”

“Anything for true love!” Trailblazer hollered before dropping to the ground and running into the Express, dragging Dan Heng with them and calling for their conductor. Phainon stood there, muffling a laugh until they paused at the entrance, turned back, and cupped their hands around their mouth as they shouted. “Congratulations on finally nabbing your prince, partner! I’m happy for you! But don’t you dare forget me or else I’ll start crying and you don’t want that!” They shouted some more playful threats before Dan Heng pressed his hand over their mouth and dragged them inside, shaking his head as he exchanged exasperated grins with Phainon.

As the train let off steam and started slowly moving, Phainon felt an arm curl around his waist and he leaned back against Mydei’s strong chest, his hand slipping down to hold onto his wrist. He tilted his head up and Mydei kissed him, slow and lingering, and Phainon really hoped Dan Heng could be as happy as Phainon was in that moment.