Unleashing the Dragon

by Noah Harris

  Xanathen’s life became devoured by the babies’ ceaseless hunger and curiosity-driven wanderings. His food rations were instantly swallowed whole by them but they never seemed satisfied. He was bound by force to keep them safe and fed. He was stuck in a cave with a group of constantly begging mouths.

  Nearly eight months passed and the babies had grown. Their wings were still small and useless but their scales had grown in. Xanathen’s days consisted of shepherding the children through the grass and keeping a watchful eye on them as they battled and snarled. He forced a smile under the watch of Loualoua, dodging her spiteful jaws. He often felt the urge to snap back or even come clean and tell the truth about who he was but the rest of the clan prowled about with hard, observant stares. Between the dependant children begging for him, their father, to play and the entire clan keeping him in line Xanathen felt his throat was safer with the charade for now.

  Xanathen kept the hatchlings satisfied as he played the role of doting father under the strict watch of the clan. Hope faded a little more in his heart every day.

  What have I done? Xanathen thought bitterly.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Jesus, Guy, this place is great.” Barry said as he looked around the restaurant.

  Guy sat across from him with a satisfied grin as Barry continued to take in the chic atmosphere. The colored lights hanging from the ceiling dimly filled the room with a warm, exotic glow which reflected off the glossy tables. Frosted glass rolled in waves across the lower booths and under the posh paintings that hung nearby. Music played softly mixed with the quiet murmuring of fellow patrons enjoying their own evening.

  “I’ve lived here for years and I never knew about this place.” Barry continued in awe.

  “You haven’t even tried the food yet.” Guy replied.

  “I know, but still. I haven’t had sushi in forever. You didn’t have to do this, really.”

  “I’ve wanted to show you this place for a long time. Sorry we couldn’t come here on your actual birthday.”

  “Eh. I was on base for my birthday. Part of adulting I guess,” Barry laughed as he sipped his water.

  “Happy belated, Bear-Bear.” Guy said with a pleasant smile as he gave a subtle wink and a quiet smooch from across the table.

  Barry smiled as his cheeks turned pink. He felt giddy being on the receiving end of Guy’s attention. Even after four months of officially dating Barry was still excited just being around him. When Barry was at home he would wonder how Guy was doing and eagerly anticipate their next date. He could only see him after his long shifts deployed on base were over but he cherished all the moments he could. He still had the apartment to himself and Guy still lived in his penthouse but the distance between the two never felt lonely. When they were separated Barry would think of him and send messages, letting the anticipation build for the next time he’d see him. Even when they did their own things they felt like they were a part of each other’s lives.

  It had been eight months since Barry last saw Xanathen and his mind still strayed sometimes to memories of him. Barry didn’t wince in grief or rack himself with guilt, wondering how wrong Xanathen was for leaving like he did. He would think of him as he’d remember their relationship and think of what he did wrong. Barry admitted to himself that he wasn’t always a saint. Neither he nor Xanathen had made the best decisions.

  Barry didn’t look back at the relationship with remorse or regret. He looked on it with a soft, loving light. Xanathen was probably right in the end. Even if Barry loved him, and there was a part of him that still did, there were just some things they couldn’t work past. Barry loved Xanathen as the man, the memory, and the dragon, but for both Xanathen’s sake and his own, he had to move on. It was the only sane thing to do.

  Barry felt a hint of embarrassment at his own lack of experience when it came to dating. He had been on dates before and had a few stray relationships back in high school but none had lasted any longer than a month. He admitted to himself, and to Guy, that he wasn’t exactly sure what he was doing.

  “It’s not complicated,” Guy said. “A relationship is just two lives agreeing to live side by side.”

  There was some truth to that statement and Barry laughed at just how simple a philosophy it was. The more he stood back and looked at it, the truer it felt.

  In hindsight, Barry felt he tried too hard to make two lives into one, without letting the lives be individual and separate things in their own right. He wriggled in discomfort at the thought as he put himself in Xanathen’s shoes. Though there was only so much he could do, living with a dragon and trying to teach him about the world, all the while trying to keep him safe. He had eventually let him out to live his life, but the fact that he viewed it as “letting him out” only made Barry cringe at his own mistakes.

  Barry didn’t feel like he had to give Guy permission to do anything. Guy had been among people for far longer than Barry had, technically, so the jittery feeling of panic he felt with Xanathen had long since been abandoned when he went out with Guy. Sometimes it felt more like Guy was the one taking care of Barry. Guy would give him space and let their affections show, but in an understated way, for Barry’s comfort. He would delicately offer his hand as they walked together and continue to stroll along happily even if Barry didn’t take it. Guy’s apartment was of course always open to him and he was always available to listen, just for Barry.

  Barry never thought he would enjoy the feeling of being taken care of, but it was strangely liberating. They spent less time fretting about little details, and more just enjoying each other’s company.

  “How’s it been on the base?” Guy asked.

  “Eh, same ol’ same ol’. Need to do a little bit of studying,” Barry replied nonchalantly. “They’re testing us again, you know, make sure we know what we’re doing. Emergency simulations, testing out the helicopters and whether we can repair it, that sort of thing.”

  “So, nothing new then, huh?”

  “That’s one way to look at it.”

  “You already know all of it inside and out. I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

  “Ha, well, thanks.”

  Guy rolled his head around his shoulders as he popped his joints.

  “I used to pilot a little. It was like fifty years ago but it’s like riding a bike,” Guy said. “A very complicated bike but still. If you want maybe I can help you study?”

  “I’ve got a good grip on it.”

  “That’s not the only thing you’ve got a good grip on,” Guy teased.

  “Oh yes, daddy, you know it,” Barry replied with a monotone voice.

  “Daddy, huh? I didn’t think you were into that. I kinda like it.”

  “Don’t count on it,” Barry said.

  “Oh no, I meant calling you that. Daddy.”

  “Go to your room,” Barry tried to suppress his laughter.

  “Okay, daddy. I’ll take my spankings like a good boy, daddy.”

  “Oh my god, stop,” Barry begged while burying his red face in his hands.

  The two laughed and teased each other quietly in their own personal little bubble. They didn’t draw gazes from other diners or disrupt anyone and no one begged for their attention. They sat quietly by themselves, enjoying the evening. They managed to tone it down as their waiter approached, but immediately went back to their joking when they were alone again.

  Guy’s hands folded over themselves as he looked across the table with a smirk. His silver eyes gleamed in the lights as he looked at Barry with adoration. He gently slid a hand outwards as a quiet offering. Barry smiled and silently reached out squeezing his hand back.

  “Thank you, Guy.”

  “Well, that’s not the only thing I got you,” Guy said.

  Barry sat expectantly, waiting for some sort of joke. Instead, Guy fished to his right and pulled out a delicately sealed white envelope. Barry’s eyes widened as he opened it to reveal a card. It was heartfelt but there was no note to speak of. As he opened it, two
tickets slid onto the table. Barry held them up to his face curiously as he scrutinized them.

  “I did a little bit of sleuthing, I’m sorry, but—”

  “Minnesota?” Barry read aloud.

  “You have every right to be mad, but, hear me out,” Guy said. “ I stumbled onto your parents on the internet. Friend of a friend of a friend sorta thing. We got to talking—”

  “Oh no.”

  Barry froze in his seat as his shaky hands gripped the tickets tightly. He hadn’t heard from his parents since they had last come down to visit him. All of his calls went unanswered and were left to go to voicemail, his texts left by the wayside. He gradually stopped trying to contact them and felt as if they would never contact him again. His heart beat rapidly as he listened.

  “We talked, and…Well, we kinda hit it off. I told them how your last encounter had impacted you, how you were doing, who I was…It was rough at first, let me tell you, your mom’s a firecracker. But we talked and talked…They want to see you. They want to meet us.”

  Barry stared down blankly at the table then turned his face up to look Guy in the eyes while his words sank in. Guy remained calm and collected, his smile was reassuring and gentle.

  “Why…Why didn’t they just call me?” Barry asked.

  “I asked the same thing, but it was their idea. They wanted to surprise you,” Guy said.

  His parents had never been anything but blunt, or at worst, passive-aggressive. If they didn’t want to talk to someone, they wouldn’t. If they wanted to talk to someone, they would call until the person would either have to answer or would end up tossing their phone at a wall. There was nothing secretive about them. The closest to an actual surprise he had gotten from them was a fishing trip that his father took him on. His father’s idea of a surprise was telling him three months in advance and excitedly reminding him of it nearly every day afterwards.

  For a brief second the world felt like it had both slowed down to a screeching halt and sped up to an insane speed all at once. Barry could only sit motionless and stare at the tickets as if he was expecting the little slips of paper would give him the answers he was looking for.

  “I know, it was intrusive. I’m sorry,” Guy said. “I should’ve said something. I was just carrying out their request and…I’m sorry, I—”

  “I’m just happy,” Barry said.

  “What?”

  “I’m just really happy. I thought I’d never hear from them again,” Barry continued as he held back the stinging tears. “I thought they hated me. I…This means the world to me, Guy.”

  Guy’s hands extended over the table to squeeze Barry’s hands reassuringly. Barry held back his tears and felt the world grow a little lighter. The aching burden he had been carrying on his back felt like it had lifted and he felt like he could fly on his own now. Barry shook in anticipation. He looked back to Guy who looked pleased at the turn of events.

  “Happy birthday, Barry,” Guy whispered.

  Never in his life had his childhood home seemed so intimidating. The tiny house, with all of its small-town charm had always radiated a friendly presence, for as long as he could remember. Even just thinking about its tacky decorations and the worn-down shingles gave him a safe feeling deep inside. Although small, it was filled with at least eighteen years of his own memories. Every little thing about it triggered some sort of memory that he felt compelled to point out and tell.

  Now the feeling of warmth had left. It felt cold and imposing as Barry walked down the path, as if all the love that had built up over the years had suddenly vanished. Even the colors seemed drab and dreary.

  Guy’s hand gently wrapped around Barry’s and squeezed, looking at him with affirmation in his eyes. Just that look was enough to give Barry the courage to reach out and press the doorbell. The house seemed almost empty with only a faded chime and nothing else. There was a long silence.

  Footsteps scampered and Carol swung the door open, she stood looking out the doorway with confusion. She paused as she stared at Barry with a vacant far-out look in her eyes. Barry gripped his suitcase handle as he stared back at his mom, fighting the urge to start bawling in front of her.

  She blinked and the tears came out as she flung her arms around him tightly. Barry continued to resist the feeling of needing to break down in tears himself, until he actually did break down and squeezed her back while burying his face in her thick shoulders. The fears he felt washed away as he stood in his mother’s embrace. All of his questions and worries no longer existed. This was enough.

  “Carol? Who’s at the door?” Gerald’s gruff voice called out. He shuffled from the living room to see what all the commotion was about.

  Gerald’s gaze stopped on his wife and son crying in the doorway for all the world to see, and a shaggy haired man standing behind them, shooting him a friendly smile. He stood back, away from the scene. His eyes widened, the wrinkles around them deepening, as he suddenly came to and found the ability to speak.

  “Barry? Barry is that you? Come in!” he said.

  Carol released him, but still continued to snivel, wiping her eyes across her sleeve as she walked back in. Barry cleared his own eyes as he followed her, while Guy took in the beauty of the heart-warming moment.

  Despite all the changes the house had gone through over the years since Barry had left, with new furniture and work done, he felt the walls still radiated a calm sense of nostalgia. Every little thing, even if it was covered with something new had some story that leapt out at him, that he just had to tell. They had organized things more, or least started to part with some of their knick-knacks, in favor of more clear space. The kitchen table was still dominated by a mountain of coupons and a pair of scissors. The easy chair, though newer than the one Barry remembered, looked well used.

  “Wow. The house always used to be so cluttered,” Barry whispered to Guy.

  “Might still be cluttered. You’ve just gotten used to my place,” Guy whispered back.

  “Barry!” Carol said with another hug of his shoulders. “It’s so good to see you! You two made it alright, and…Oh? Who’s this?”

  She curiously looked over at the slinky stranger standing in the living room, hands in his pockets and a laid-back demeanor.

  “Carol, it’s me. Guy.” Guy said as he extended a hand.

  Guy continued to stand there, hand out in greeting and a friendly smile across his face. Barry’s parents stood still wearing hollow expressions.

  Barry held his breath nervously watching from the sidelines as his parents looked at Guy. He could feel his own heart beating and the world around him seemed to stand still. He felt himself tremble uneasily as the three of them stared at each other.

  “I’m not shaking that,” Carol said bluntly. Barry panicked for a brief moment until she extended both arms and squeezed Guy. “We’re the hugging type around here.”

  Guy laughed it off as he limply placed his arms around her while Barry caught his breath. He turned to his father, grizzled and tired as always. He stood firmly in place as he nodded simply, “Welcome home, kid.”

  “Kid” was a new one. Gerald was probably struck with nerves, too. He was probably trying to emulate some old movie star to get him through the awkward moment. Barry nodded back with a weak smile, unsure of what to say. Gerald wasn’t much of a talker to begin with. Barry only really knew when he was on good terms with him if he wasn’t shouting at him or walking out. Quiet was a good note when it came to his dad. He felt a wave of relief.

  Uncomfortable small talk blossomed, seemingly coming from out of nowhere. Neither party wanted the moment to sit in silence, unrecognized. For hours the Hodgesons talked about all the things Barry already knew. Their voices echoed back and forth to each other retelling old stories from years ago. They were all stories they had lived through and had told a million times, but they filled the silence between them with a familiar bond. The stories ensured the conversation started off with some laughs and was solidly on familiar ground. It
made Barry really feel like he was home again.

  Guy contributed politely to the conversation with ease. He made a witty comment here and there, but mostly he leant back and listened. He would smile occasionally and then proceed to be just an onlooker again until spoken to. After a few drinks and hours of stories being swapped, letting everyone ease into themselves, it was almost like Carol had finally noticed that Guy had been sitting there all along when she addressed him.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, Guy. We kinda got wrapped up in nostalgia there,” she apologized politely.

  “It’s alright, really. It’s kinda heartwarming. I don’t really have a family, so it’s nice to see one in action,” Guy said.

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” she said.

  “Not your fault. My family is just kinda…complicated. It’s probably best to stay away from it.”

  “So, Guy, was it?” Carol asked giving herself time to think of something to say. “Nice to finally meet you. I…Thank you.”

  “I didn’t do anything,” Guy said dismissively.

  “No, I mean it. Gerald and I are, well, we’re old fashioned. This whole thing is just unheard of to us. But we—”

  “Mom, no,” Barry pleaded.

  “No, we need to talk about this. We were stubborn. We were wrong. We never should have tossed you aside like that. You’re our baby boy,” Carol began to well up again.

  The tears stung her eyes but she didn’t let them flow. Her face just seemed to pucker up. Maybe she had let all the tears fall already. Gerald sat quietly by, not saying a word. He simply sat there and smiled, letting the moment play out. He was so taken by the events of the afternoon that he didn’t even scold Carol for crying or ‘coddling the boy’. He just smiled and held his drink to his chest. It was a small difference, but enough for Barry to notice. Still, people change and for once it was in a good direction.