by Noah Harris
While the cave at the top of the mountain had visually remained the same, the feeling it invoked in him had transformed over time—from a cold and ominous shrine, to a cozy love nest for two. The blue lines that wrapped around the pillars illuminated the cavern and provided soft lighting.
Xanathen gripped Barry’s sides tightly in his hands as he sat on the grassy bedding. His large cock stood erect and pulsing as Barry bounced on his lap, letting Xanathen enter him more and more. Barry’s elated moans rang out through the cavern, echoing in loud booms beyond the mouth of the cave, punctuated by Xanathen’s deep grunting. He continued to pull Barry onto him and push against his soft spot, making Barry melt with each invigorated thrust. Sweat poured down Barry’s reddened face as it twisted and churned in concentration while he lovingly received Xanathen’s untamed libido. Barry arched his back as he continued to back into Xanathen while getting closer and closer to release.
Barry’s mind was shrouded to thoughts of the rest of the world, as all he could concentrate on was how he adored being on the receiving end of Xanathen’s lust. He had no other concerns at that moment, except to continue to thrust back against his loving dragon until he had enough. He couldn’t think of anywhere he’d rather be right now than lying with Xanathen until they were both dizzy and could barely stand up. The thought of bringing Xanathen to climax sent his own desires rushing. He craved the dragon’s hot release. He felt himself drawn closer to his own release as he thought about it and as Xanathen thrust again, he felt the bubbling feeling inside of him rise to the surface. He tilted his head as he let out another loud, pleasured moan that rang out through the cave.
Xanathen continued to thrust, seemingly filled with never ending stamina, as Barry went limp and tired with bliss. Sweat poured down Xanathan’s slate-gray skin and across his pulsing muscles. He pushed Barry to the ground, letting him prop himself up on his hands and knees, then rapidly began to pump into him. Barry squealed quietly as a second orgasm came rushing his way, as Xanathen’s rod grew larger and filled him even more, until he felt there was no space left. Xanathen grunted and groaned as he swatted his hips against Barry and buried his dick deep inside, stimulating his sensitive cock until at last, he reached his limit.
The two lay limply on the floor, breathing heavily. Xanathen turned back to his normal draconic state and curled his tail around Barry, holding him snug against his hide as he lay down. The two curled into each other, cozy and content while they let the world go on without them for a while. When Barry got the feeling in his legs back, his mind returned to floating miles away. He couldn’t think about their lovemaking for too long. As he sat there, tenderly secure in Xanathen’s tail, the passionate sex didn’t leave him in a dizzying amnesiac state as usual. He could only think about all the other things on his mind.
As Barry relaxed, his eyes flicked over to the dazzling mural, made of gems and stones, on the wall opposite. Even now he was still in awe of it. The magnitude of the piece was nothing short of amazing. He couldn’t fathom how anyone—especially without the tools of modern technology—could make something as splendid as that. The large gray dragon, with its wings spread out and glittering in the light, seemed to almost stare at Barry from the corner of its eyes. As he studied it, a chill crept down Barry’s spine.
They sat in comfortable silence; Xanathen was quite content with what had transpired and Barry was focused on how exactly he was going to phrase what he wanted to say. He feared things would come out the wrong way and hurt Xanathen. He had already seemed to hurt him by just wanting to go for a walk by himself. He feared what would happen when he brought this up; especially if it came out in a less than tactful way. He began to think maybe he would need to make it seem like it was Xanathen’s idea. He was so proud that everything tended to be a good idea if it was his idea. Barry couldn’t blame him too much. Anyone who could cast magic like he could, would have quite a lot to boast about. Barry didn’t know a lick of magic and he was already pretty cocky himself. As he looked at the mural and saw how it gleamed in the light, his eyes twitched with inspiration. Closing his eyes, he nuzzled into Xanathen’s hide.
“Xanathen?”
“Hm?” Xanathen hummed in his deep, rumbling voice.
“Tell me about your parents.”
“Eh? My...parents?” his tone immediately deflated, “You’ve never asked about them before.”
“You always said you wanted to keep stuff a secret until you knew me better. I feel like you know me pretty well now.”
“Very well,” he sighed, opening his golden eyes, “My parents were Dol’Rak and Thasadya, the head of our clan. They were strong, mighty, and wise. They brought our clan here and introduced the people to their magic. They made it the paradise it is today.
“My mother was a very fierce protector of the nest. The magic that I know, she taught me right here. She would spend hours teaching me to fly, to hunt, and to cast. She was stern, but always fair. She was not afraid to push me out of the nest when I needed to go, but only when she was sure I would survive. She nudged me out and was so determined to move me on, she wouldn’t have it any other way. It was clearly for the best.
“My father was the leader of the clan. He was distant, but that was just his way. It was for the sake of our clan and for our island. He fought to keep the other clans at bay when they struck. I don’t think I have ever seen a dragon as powerful as he. The trees trembled as he stretched his wings. The mountain shook when he roared. He could make the barren bring forth fruit, and also bring death in his wake. All the others feared him, but he was also respected. To other clans, he was a cruel destroyer of kin. To us, he was a stern leader.
“I have some fond memories of him, though. I recall when I was but a wyrmling, I was being defiant towards my mother, refusing to learn to fly. I wouldn’t have it, and there was nothing anyone could do. My father guided me under his wing to the ledge of the cave, then looked out over the entire island. Turning to me, he said: ‘Son, there will be many cliffs in your lifetime. They are intimidating to no one but fools and cowards. We are granted our wings to fly high above them and given the wisdom to overcome what lies below. Denying yourself both is denying what separates man from dragon.’
“At the time, I didn’t understand what he meant. I figured he just was going to push me off that cliff and that would be the end of it. There was no arguing with father. But as I’ve grown older, those words have echoed with me to this day. It’s more about conquering adversity and learning from mistakes, I believe. Having the strength to plunge into something different and unknown, even when it seems dark, because having the skills and the mind to learn and adapt will always raise you above it.”
He paused, taking a moment to reflect on his father’s words. Solemnly, it appeared to Barry. He then cocked a grin and added with an earthy chuckle, “I could also be wrong. As far as I know, my father wasn’t very poetic, so he could have been literally talking about cliffs and wings. They did what they could to ensure that I learned what I had to know. To make me into a good hunter, an illusionist...a good dragon. I often think of them and miss their company. The last time I saw them...Father plunged right into the ocean after being struck by the leader of the Brass clan’s fiery breath. Mother fell ill to whatever foul disease those human invaders brought with them. It killed all the people, all of us dragons. All except for...me,” his voice had choked down to a whisper. Then, Xanathen’s eyes squeezed shut as his tail wrapped around Barry even tighter, holding onto him as he tried to quiet his roiling emotions. Barry squeezed back reassuringly as they sat together for a time, just sharing the space.
“I sometimes wonder why I didn’t die with them. You’d think a small dragon would have just as much of a chance at death as the adults, maybe even more,” Xanathen sighed in a melancholy voice. “I also think about what would have happened if they had lived. What if we were all spared and life went on as before? ”
“I’m sure they would be proud of who you are, Xanathen,” Barry
said, trying to offer comfort. “Look at you, running this whole place by yourself, and it hasn’t been attacked once.”
“This illusion is the best spell I know. So far, no one—man or dragon—has been able to see through it. If I can keep the world away and myself intact, then the legacy of our clan lives on forever.”
“So...all those clouds in the distance. Those are just—”
“An illusion? Yes. That’s what keeps you and I safe. From the outside world, it appears to just be more ocean and sky.”
“Oh.”
“Why did you bring this up?” Xanathen asked.
Barry sat silently, caressed by the dragon’s sturdy tail, letting the scales press into his soft skin. He thought more thoroughly about how to phrase it, but couldn’t seem to find the right words. Everything he thought of sounded desperate and hurtful, and he couldn’t say it like that.
“I was…I was thinking about parents. My own parents.”
“Ah. The ones that hurt you? Don’t worry, they won’t be able to find you here.”
Barry shook his head, “No, that’s not it. Wouldn’t you want more than anything for your parents to still be alive?”
Xanathen reflected on his words for a second, loosening his tail and letting Barry slip to the grass floor as he strode off with a few large steps. He shook his head and locked eyes with Barry with intense and profoundly forlorn eyes.
“Death is death, Barry. No matter who we lose and who it hurts, time goes on regardless of how I grieve. We dragons mourn but a short time, making way for the future. They died in honor, protecting our clan—a noble death for any dragon to receive.”
“So you don’t miss them?”
“I said no such thing,” Xanathen protested shortly, his fins jolting upright in defense. “I simply said I don’t focus on death as much as you humans do. That doesn’t mean I don’t miss them, it means I’m striving for the future. Don’t put words in my mouth!”
“Living alone on an island for years is your future? Some future.”
“If that is what will preserve the clan’s name, then yes. I shall,” Xanathen’s deep voice rumbled as he held his head up high with an air of nobility. “Besides, I’m not alone. I have you.”
“Thank you for the sentiment, but...your logic is all over the place. You don’t dwell on the past, but you focus on a future for no one but you to see? The sacrifice of other dragons for the future of their clan was just so you can sit alone for two hundred years? That makes no sense! That’s not much of a future for their next in line…and that’s not much of a life for you. Besides, humans don’t live that long!”
Xanathen reeled back in shock at Barry’s words. Letting out a low grumble from the bottom of his long throat, he let the smoke pour from his flared nostrils. His eyelids lowered as he looked down on Barry, his golden eyes flashing with anger. His wings rose a bit, but quickly flapped back down to his side.
Barry stood up with no aggression in his stance. He knew that fighting—shouting and storming around in anger—would not be the way to win this. He stood up tall with his head held high, not breaking eye contact for a second. Even when he looked at this from an outside perspective, a man standing up to a mighty dragon, the entire idea seemed maddeningly suicidal. Yet, beneath those scales he was familiar with Xanathen’s soft underbelly. He knew the man inside and had confidence he could get through to him.
“Just what are you implying?” Xanathen growled.
“I’m just saying that you might consider the possibility that you could be happier somewhere else,” Barry started boldly, taking a single step forward. “I won’t be around forever. I know that, and so do you. What’ll happen when I die? You just go back to being alone here, hoping another helicopter crashes? And maybe, if you’re lucky, that pilot is also into dragons? That’s a long shot at best. We could leave this island, and go somewhere else where there are lots of people. Can you imagine it? If I’m impressed with the stuff you can do, think of all the other people that would be amazed at how strong and fast you are. People would be worshipping at your feet! There could be hundreds of men and women waiting in line, just hoping to be noticed by you. Everyone would know your name.” Xanathen lowered himself as he listened, while Barry continued. Taking another step forward, Barry’s tone grew stronger as he was filled to the brim with confidence.
“Think of all the new things you could try! You could see buildings in person. You could try ice cream and swimming pools, watch movies, read books, and sports—we could go to a real baseball game. Instead of doing things because you have to, you could do things just for fun! For entertainment! You could see a world outside of just this island. Mountains, plains, swamps, rivers, you name it. There’s so much out there to see, just waiting for you, all you have to do is leave this island behind.”
Xanathen sat completely still as he listened to Barry’s spiel, taking in every word with attentive ears. His fins lowered as he sunk all the way to the ground, his stance becoming less defensive as Barry spoke. Barry felt elated as he watched Xanathen switch gears from angered to possibly even intrigued. The dragon waited for a moment after Barry had finished, and with a somber voice, asked for clarification.
“Come on, Barry. What’s really going on?”
Barry stood before Xanathen’s face, the dragon’s head was propped on the ground and facing Barry head-on, looking slightly defeated.
With a disheveled sigh, Barry’s shoulders slouched and his face turned to the ground before looking back up slightly to meet Xanathen eye to eye, sadly he said, “Xanathen, I...I want to go home.”
Chapter 8
“Go home? What does that even mean?” Xanathen asked, with a surprised ring to his authoritative voice. “This is your home. You even said so yourself!”
“I...yeah, I did, I know,” Barry said, his voice saddened, but his body never once backing down from its stance. “There’s a part of me that still believes that.”
“Only a part?”
“Yes,” Barry nodded.
Xanathen’s eyes narrowed as he looked down at Barry, releasing another rumbling growl from the bottom of his throat. Smoke poured from his scaly flared nostrils, and began to fill the cavern with wispy tufts. Not a spark of fire ignited from him, though. He kept whatever flame there was, if any at all, hidden deep within himself. The fins that ran down his arched back now stood up like the hair on the back of a cat, while his tail curved angrily into itself.
“All the things you’ve said to me, have those been lies?” Xanathen growled, beginning to pace.
“No! I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy,” Barry kept his composure. “There’s never been anything this good for me before. I just want to go home.”
The massive dragon winced at his words and his tail waved about. His eyes continued to narrow, but the expression on his face became harder for Barry to decipher. His face scrunched and churned, the scaly skin around his lips rose and sunk constantly, appearing to be at odds over whether to bare his teeth or not. He kept the strong posture in his body, though as his legs stood firmly on the ground, his soft underbelly sat fully exposed to the world.
“I’m not saying I want to leave you. I want to go with you,” Barry continued calmly.
“Barry, you’ve said that no one back home, where you come from, understands you. That you have no one waiting for you, that your own parents seem to wish you were someone other than who you really are. Why would you ever want to go back to such a place?”
“Well...because I’ve never really been there as myself.”
Xanathen paused at Barry’s remark, tilting his head in curiosity. As he quietly let out a baffled growl, the cave around them echoed. His fins began to lower themselves, and his tail slowly dropped. He still stood tall, but his head began to descend to the floor, coming closer to Barry. His eyelids rose as he let himself fully examine Barry from where he stood.
“I’ve been there my entire life, yeah,” Barry started thoughtfully, “But I was always to
ld to be someone else. Someone that I wanted to be, but I knew I never would be. It’s hard to really experience a place or really even know someone, when you don’t even know who you are yourself, or you’re afraid of everything disappearing because the person you are isn’t the one the world around you wanted. I was never really me until I came here, Xanathen. Now I want to be where I belong, as my real self.”
Barry continued to stand still and hold his ground. His broad shoulders stood straight as he held his chin up, his stance looking natural and confident. His round eyes confirmed his soft sincerity, as they gleamed in the gentle lighting of the cavern. His golden hair framed his face as the curls twirled downwards to his chin. He carved a small smile with his full luscious lips while his body remained still, never breaking down under the pressure of Xanathen’s intimidating size. He knew deep in his heart that even with all the magic at his disposal, or no matter how sharp his claws may be, Xanathen would never harm him.
He knew that Xanathen was a being of pride. The boastful smile that would emerge every time he would ‘win’ at something, said it all. The very way he spoke showed the truth of his nature. Everything was a competition to him, and while Barry could relate to that, he knew that years of isolation had robbed Xanathen of experience with the word ‘no.’ How could someone deny him if there was no one around to do it? How could he learn to lose gracefully if there was no one to compete with?
