Calm. Ready. Determined.

            Taekwoon sat on the edge of his bed, head bowed and hands resting on his knees as he breathed deep. Today. He would challenge his dragon and become what he needed to be. For himself. For the Aerie. And for Jinki.

            The last made him smile. They had spent the night in separate beds again, but Taekwoon was at ease. Mostly. Jinki still cared for him. Deeply. And though they had plenty to figure out, yesterday had been good. They’d connected again, in person if not quite mentally yet. Jinki had really gotten close to Jongup, which was progress for him indeed. And they had both spent a fairly large portion of the day closeted together in the library reading and looking for information, comfortable in each other’s presence. All of those individually would have been reason enough to help him focus. Together, Taekwoon felt unstoppable.

            “I can do this,” he exhaled, smoothing his hair back with surprisingly steady hands. He stood up in the early morning dark of his room and pressed his clothes down nervously. Since he wasn’t training today, anything would do, but he was wearing his riding leathers all the same.

            Heading into the open aerie, he made his way to the kitchen. Master Junjin was there as usual. He took one look at Taekwoon and nodded in approval. “Someone looks like they’re ready for something.” Without another word, he handed a meat roll to the younger man and crossed his arms over his chest.

            “I am,” Taekwoon agreed, taking a bite and leaning against the counter as he eyed the sleepy eyed trainees working behind the chef to help prepare the morning meal. Only one was trying to listen in. The other was trying not to fall asleep.

            “You wanna tell me about it?” the chef asked with a crooked smile and a tilted head.

            “Maybe after,” the dragonrider shrugged, taking another bite. “Wouldn’t wanna jinx myself ahead of time.”

            Junjin chuckled and waved his hand at Taekwoon once. “You’re probably right but you’re also no fun. You know that?”

            “I have been told from time to time,” he smiled back, feeling strangely playful. Maybe it was the energy. He felt so… energetic. His skin practically tingled.

            “Well, whatever it is. Good luck. Not that you look like you need it,” Junjin snorted, brushing his brown hair behind his ear. He paused as he turned his nose to smell something and then made a strange noise in the back of his throat as he rushed over to where the trainees were prepping food. “The porridge!” he snapped, deftly swinging the huge pot out from the fire.

            “Sorry!” the trainees cringed at the same time.

            Junjin sighed and shook his head and Taekwoon took that as a sign to head out. He raised the rest of his meat roll to the chef who nodded back and then stepped out to finish it on the way. With the way he felt, he was half certain his dragon would be awake and ready for him. He had to be able to feel that something was different.

            As expected, when Taekwoon walked into the dragon area near the garden, he could see Jonghyun already looking for him. Amber eyes were dull in the dim light, but easy enough to see they were aimed his direction. “Morning, Jonghyun,” he greeted as he got closer, giving a brighter smile to the blue. “Jongup.”

            The copper chuffed but watched him intently. He was well aware something was up. Eventually, the question came through their bond, even though Taekwoon could read it plain as day in the dragon’s body language. What?

            Taekwoon stood directly in front of the copper and looked him in the eye as he spoke, “We need to have a talk. In Trance.”

            Jonghyun actually laughed at the statement, amber eyes rolling in what looked like amusement. You sure? was the other question that came through.

            “Yep,” the dragonrider nodded, taking a seat directly in front of the copper.

            Again, the flippant shrug and amusement. But Jonghyun did settle down enough to turn his gaze upon Taekwoon, pulling him into Trance with relative ease. It didn’t hurt that he’d had a lot of practice with Gain lately too.

            He was a bronze dragon as he fell, but with wings he could actually fly. Using them deftly, he circled for wherever the copper was and then landed nearby, settling the appendages easily as he started prowling around the similarly sized dragon. As soon as he saw Jonghyun’s body language, he knew the other dragon was already a little nervous and uncertain.

            Wings fluttered and teeth bared quickly with a head toss. You’re different.

            No argument there. Taekwoon chuffed in response, an agreeing sound.

            It earned him a growl from Jonghyun. He was irritated and slightly threatened. From their previous encounters, it was obvious the copper hadn’t expected him to understand the language. Head toss and quiet teeth clacking. What did you want to talk about?

            Taekwoon snorted towards Jonghyun and then inhaled, puffing himself up a touch. Me and you.

            Head toss again.

            Taekwoon kept his smile hidden. Instead, he planted his feet, mantled his wings, and slammed his tail down as he roared at the copper. He was actually pretty proud of the sound after the fact. But silence fell between them and he knew this would be the tricky part. Gain had warned him that Jonghyun might not take the challenge if he believed Taekwoon had no chance. Or he might take it regardless as an affront to his pride.

            Judging by the way the copper’s wings were mantling and he was drawing himself to his full height, it appeared to be the second option. Taekwoon smiled, the expression unnatural on the dragon’s face. Jonghyun roared at him, slamming his tail down once before launching forward, teeth bared and talons extended.

            Hopping to the side, Taekwoon pivoted to try for a tail slam. Jonghyun extended his wings and flapped to the side at the last moment, narrowly avoiding the strike. By his reaction though, he hadn’t expected it. The copper stayed in the air, circling with an irritated but thoughtful expression on his face.

            Taekwoon gave a quiet roar and ducked his head while his tail thrashed from side to side. Come on. Jonghyun mirrored him, trying to draw the bronze into the air. Well. If he wanted to play it that way. Gain had made sure he was flight combat ready too. Taking a breath, he gathered himself and launched into the air. Wings beat powerfully as he galloped through the air, moving straight for the copper.

            Jonghyun immediately turned to lead him on a chase, slowing just enough so that Taekwoon could catch up without too much trouble. He didn’t want to run too long. No. His dragon much preferred a fight. The bronze was tense as he drew close, not sure what the copper would try. He didn’t have to wait long. Jonghyun suddenly nose dived. Taekwoon followed quickly, still tense. He could catch the copper if he wanted, but he waited instead, trailing behind just far enough.

            Irritated, Jonghyun suddenly pulled up, doing a full loop past Taekwoon and going overhead. The bronze followed him in his periphery, leveling out so that he stopped descending. Then he waited, feeling his back itch like it had a target on it. Technically, he knew it was the target, but he had to wait for the right moment to move. Winding from side to side, as if he was trying to evade the other dragon, he practically held his breath until he heard Jonghyun roar directly behind him.

            Now!

            Flipping over at the last heartbeat, he reached to lock claws with Jonghyun as the copper slammed into him in midair. They roared, teeth clacking loudly as they snapped at each other. Front claws held tight while back claws fought to do damage, brushing against legs and scaled hides awkwardly. Taekwoon’s position was weaker since they were still descending, but he had a trick up his sleeve. Jonghyun snapped at him again. Taekwoon dodged and when the copper pulled his head back to try once more, he followed, ramming his head into Jonghyun’s like a headbutt. He felt talons jerk open reflexively as a surprised squawk emerged and Taekwoon shoved away, gaining his freedom again.

            Cheater! His dragon was not happy with him.

            No. You just didn’t expect it. It was no different than him trying to bite the other dragon but because he hadn’t been using his fangs, the natural response wasn’t quite the same. Gain had given him that tip. Apparently she’d learned it from her rider and had used it on occasion out in the field.

            Frustrated now, especially since his success in the air hadn’t been as strong as he hoped for, Jonghyun went to the ground instead. Once there, he roared another challenge at Taekwoon. He had no qualms with that. Banking quickly, he descended and landed with the skill of a mediocre dragon. He was still working on that part. It earned a sneer from Jonghyun whose own landing was practically effortless. But he didn’t charge as he had before. The copper was wary now. Hesitant.

            Taekwoon wasn’t. Hissing, he charged. Jonghyun bristled. When the bronze got close enough, he reared up and clawed out reflexively. Taekwoon wrinkled his nose and ducked his head, keeping his wings tucked close to his body. Talons scored his neck and back, painful albeit light wounds, but the copper wasn’t expecting him to run full tilt into him. He coughed a roar as his body was driven back and they briefly tumbled together. Head over wings over tail, Taekwoon was on top first, but then they rolled and it was Jonghyun there. The copper was dazed though, and it was enough for the bronze to kick him off with all four feet, sending him haphazardly flying through the air.

            Wings snapped open to steady him but he flapped awkwardly, slightly disoriented. Rolling to his feet, Taekwoon got up and chased after. Jonghyun landed, hind legs on the ground and forelegs in the air. Finally, Taekwoon closed with him the way he wanted. Rearing up, they slashed at each other with claws, wings buffeting their opponent when they could. They hissed but didn’t try much biting yet. Just feints at wings or throats. They weren’t actual enemies. Just frustrated opponents and neither wanted to fight dirty.

            Talon to talon, Taekwoon was pretty sure that Jonghyun was heavier than him, but he’d been training against Gain. The gold outweighed the copper easily and in that case, it was all about leverage. Blind fury and determination were his opponent here, but Taekwoon planted one foot so he could use his tail. Snaking it forward, he pressed it against the copper’s inner ankle and shoved. It wasn’t prehensile but force was definitely applicable.

            It was enough to make Jonghyun’s foot slip, upsetting his balance. He roared again and flailed with his wings, trying to regain control. One managed to buffet Taekwoon in the head, stunning him briefly, but he rushed past it and threw his weight into the slightly larger dragon, tackling him to the ground.

            Jonghyun’s wings were pinned beneath him and Taekwoon was on top, but once cornered, he was nearly frantic. All four legs raked at the bronze’s body. Standing over his target, he couldn’t see the hind legs and Taekwoon roared as they scored his belly, digging deep. In pain and knowing his position was precarious – he’d been foolish to pin him on his back, he locked front talons with Jonghyun and ducked his head, feigning fear. The copper snapped forward reactively and Taekwoon ducked low, lying almost flat against Jonghyun’s body. Teeth clacked over his head and he lunged forward, clamping his teeth against the copper’s throat, hard enough to break the skin but not enough to kill.

            He growled savagely as Jonghyun keened, thrashing one more time with a final rake down Taekwoon’s side. But when teeth tightened, he hissed quietly and stilled. Taekwoon growled again, the sound equivalent to, Yield!

            His dragon was reluctant, breathing hard and deep, but remaining silent for a long moment. Yet, when neither moved and teeth became uncomfortable enough, Jonghyun finally groaned and let Taekwoon’s claws go. I yield.

            Relief washed over Taekwoon then. It took effort to unlock his jaw so he could pull away, limping at the pain in his belly and side, but he was elated all the same. Swallowing, he stepped back a fair distance and then sat down, wrapping his tail around his front feet and watching to see what Jonghyun would do now.

            Silent frustration was evident in his body language. The copper got up stiffly, only giving sidelong looks at Taekwoon at first. He tested his neck and throat, stretched his wings, flexed his tail and finally took a breath before mirroring the bronze’s pose. Amber eyes met amber eyes and they stared at each other, unblinking.

            How?

            Training with Paramour.

            Jonghyun hissed at him. Cheating.

            Training! Taekwoon reiterated, hissing back.

            A long silence followed as the copper looked him over. His eyes took in the deep wounds and the rest of his form and he huffed. Why?

            Needed you to know I am worthy. Jonghyun grumbled, obviously annoyed. It was hard to say if it was at himself or Taekwoon though. I have request. The copper gave a quiet nod of acceptance. Talk man to man?

            Amber eyes narrowed and he mantled his wings just a touch. But the moment passed and he settled down as he took another breath. He nodded, form slowly shifting from dragon to unclothed man. Taekwoon followed shortly after, equally unclothed. “You have earned that much at least,” Jonghyun conceded, crossing his arms over his chest and ignoring the slowly bleeding marks on his neck from where Taekwoon’s teeth had scored him.

            For his part, Taekwoon was almost overwhelmed with relief. He could actually speak freely with his dragon in this moment. Though his wounds certainly hurt… He placed a hand over the worst one and nodded, “Nicely done.”

            Jonghyun shifted uncomfortably and flippantly added, “You too.” His gaze turned speculative and he asked, “You have been training with Gain?”

            “Yes. She… helped me with some of the new attacks,” he explained, motioning with the head and using his hand to simulate a tail.

            For a moment, he actually looked impressed. “Why?”

            “Because we need to be able to understand each other and I couldn’t in dragon form. Not the way we both need,” Taekwoon explained, exhaling slowly. “And you wouldn’t let me be a man here.”

            “I didn’t want you,” Jonghyun growled, defensive.

            “I know,” Taekwoon nodded in understanding. “But you have me. Like it or not.”

            His dragon’s lips curled up but he remained silent. Then he looked back and asked, “Do you want me?”

            “Yes.” There was no hesitation.

            “Even after everything?” the copper asked warily, again glancing at the wounds he’d inflicted.

            “Yes.”

            “Why?” He was quite the suspicious creature.

            “Being a dragonrider is my dream. You are my dream,” he stated simply, one hand gesturing towards the dragon.

            “And your mate?” he asked shrewdly, eyes narrowed.

            “He is my dream too. A different dream,” the dragonrider answered confidently.

            Jonghyun took a deep breath and started pacing slowly. “What do you want from me?”

            That was a good question and Taekwoon hoped he had a good enough answer. “I want us to work together. I want us to be a man and a dragon as needed. I want us to be able to defend our home. And our mates. Together,” he explained, gesturing between them.

            “I can protect my mate!” he growled, stepping towards Taekwoon angrily.

            “I saved your mate,” the dragonrider reminded his dragon, not backing down.

            They both knew he was the reason that Jongup had almost died, but he was also the reason he had lived after the fact. “And I let your mate go,” Jonghyun grumbled, arms crossing over his chest again.

            “I know. Thank you for that,” Taekwoon nodded with a grateful bow. When he looked up, he could see the action had surprised his dragon.

            “He is brave,” Jonghyun conceded with a shrug. “Not strong, but brave.”

            “He is strong in a different way,” Taekwoon corrected gently, a smile lighting his face at the thought.

            “We have seen. My mate has felt,” the copper agreed with a slow nod.

            Taekwoon had to fight hard to hide his surprise then. Jongup could feel what Jinki felt? That was interesting… “They are bound?” he asked for clarification.

            Jonghyun’s face scrunched in thought and he shook his head. “No. Not like you and me. They only feel,” he murmured, patting his hand over his heart. His gaze turned critical again as he looked at his rider. “You are the opposite. Strong but afraid.”

            He had to wince. “I’m not afraid of you.”

            “Your mate.” The dragon tilted his head to the side, eyeing his rider intently.

            Taekwoon didn’t answer immediately. He shifted in place, uncomfortable with the conversation, but his dragon deserved a response at least. And he needed to voice it out loud anyway. “Yes,” he agreed softly, nodding in agreement. “I am afraid. Of losing him. Of hurting him. Of something happening to him,” he admitted, hands balling into fists. An obvious scoff made him look up, blinking in surprise.

            “If you know he is your mate, no fear,” Jonghyun gestured as if it was simple. “Trust,” he stated, reminding Taekwoon of what the rider had told him before. “Trust in your mate as he trusts in you.”

            Hearing it spoken back at him, Taekwoon had to admit it was much easier said than done. Not because he didn’t trust Jinki. But more because he didn’t trust himself. What if he did something to mess things up? That was more what he was afraid of. “But what if something does happen? What if you can’t protect your mate?” he wondered out loud, not even sure he meant to say it.

            “No!” Jonghyun snapped, making Taekwoon flinch. “Too many what ifs,” he shook his head and waved his hand in front of his face. “Live well now. Protect now. Worry about what might happen when it happens,” he added, shrugging. “Useless to waste energy worrying about things that may never be.” His frown spoke volumes. And Taekwoon had to admit it was surprisingly good advice coming from a dragon that was likely about his age, comparatively speaking.

            “Hmm,” he hummed to himself, fingers clasping his chin lightly while he looked down. “Okay,” he murmured, his lips. “Jonghyun. Will you be my dragon and help me protect my mate so that I can help you protect yours?” His question was quiet, but he knew the copper dragon heard him. They both fell very still and simply looked at each other across the space between them.

            After a long pause, Jonghyun approached slowly and stopped directly in front of Taekwoon. They were within arm’s reach but he kept his hands back for now. “Will you try to control me?” he asked warily.

            “No. I will only ask that you help me do what we will be expected to as part of the Aerie and the Stardust Battalion,” he promised, placing his fist over his heart.

            “What about my mate?” he asked shrewdly, eyes narrowed.

            “He will be expected to help as well.” Jonghyun’s frown deepened and Taekwoon held up his hand to stall him. “Though I can speak with the Dragon Master if you feel that concessions must be made.”

            The copper took a deep breath and relaxed slightly. “And your mate?”

            “He is training to become an Aerie Master now. I can ask him to join us more though,” he nodded, stressing the ‘ask’ part. He would no more command Jinki than he would his dragons.

            Jonghyun nodded once and sniffed. “Jongup would like that.” Taekwoon smiled at the admission. “Very well,” the dragon exhaled, a long and slow sound. Reaching out his hand, he murmured, “I will be your dragon if you will be my rider.”

            “I would be honored,” Taekwoon promised, giving a small bow as he took the dragon’s hand and gripped firm.

            “You are mine…”

            “And I am yours.”

            “Dragon.”

            “And rider,” Taekwoon finished, feeling almost as if he’d cast a spell of some kind.

            Jonghyun gave a crooked smile and retrieved his hand. “You’ve made your point,” he huffed, still somewhat amused. “Now go away,” he shooed, literally kicking his rider out of Trance.

            “Ow…” Taekwoon groaned, placing his hand to his head as he came to in his own body once more. “That was not necessary,” he grumbled, glaring at the copper through squinted eyes. Jonghyun snorted in amusement and then started the stretching process.

            Nearby, Jongup chirped in curiosity and then came bounding over to make sure they were both okay. Talons rested on the larger dragon’s hide as he used him as a prop to look over the rest of him, sniffing and nosing intently. Jonghyun snorted in the blue’s face and made a small crooning sound as if to reassure the other dragon.

            It was an endearing exchange and Taekwoon felt privileged to see it. He noticed the tiny bruises on Jonghyun’s neck where he’d bitten him but they didn’t look too bad. His own wounds on the other hand… Gingerly, he lifted his shirt up to inspect the ugly marks beneath. Thin, red lines showed where claws had scored, with one actually sluggishly bleeding. “Bahamut’s teeth, you hit hard,” he grumbled at his dragon, no real anger in his tone. He got a mixed response of apologetic satisfaction. “Yeah, yeah. You earned them,” he agreed, offering a wan smile at the copper. “It was a good duel,” he explained with a glance at Jongup.

            The blue looked between the two with darting head movements, obviously not sure how he should feel about that announcement. He looked back to Jonghyun to confirm his mate was alright. Then turned his attention to Taekwoon with wary interest, but when he saw the marks on his bare skin, he posture spoke of mild concern, and he looked back to the bronze. Jonghyun shrugged and reached a wing out to cover Jongup reassuringly.

            “Hey. Easy for you to say. I barely touched you,” Taekwoon grumbled with a half-hearted gesture at his dragon. He didn’t pay much attention to the response as he opted to look around instead. When he’d gone into Trance, it was very early morning. Now, the sun had risen and was climbing across the sky in what was probably mid morning. It didn’t feel like they’d been there that long, but he wasn’t going to argue with what his eyes saw. Of course, they also soon noticed Dragon Master Dongwan nearby, wandering over at a leisurely pace.

            “Morning,” the enviably fit man greeted with a wave and an easy smile.

            “Good morning, Master Dongwan,” Taekwoon nodded, hurrying to get to his feet before pain forced him to slow down. He tried to hide the wince, but he knew the other man saw it. “Do you need me for something?” he asked instead, standing up straight and ready for whatever he wanted to say.

            “No. I was just keeping an eye on how things turned out,” he explained easily, one hand moving to gesture towards the Paramour quarters. “Gain explained you were going to be up to something today,” he chuckled with a shake of his head. “Did you accomplish what you intended to?” he wondered, glancing between the rider and his dragons.

            “I did,” Taekwoon answered honestly, looking at Jonghyun and Jongup with a proud and pleased smile. He felt the copper’s light reassurance through their bond and his smile widened.

            “Was it worth it?” the older man asked with a glance at Taekwoon’s torso, sharing a pained smile.

            “Absolutely,” the dragonrider grinned, though he placed a light hand on his stomach all the same.

            The Dragon Master’s expression turned pensive and he asked, “Do you think you’re ready to fly?”

            Taekwoon wasn’t positive. With their new understanding, he thought he should be but he looked back and sent a quiet question to Jonghyun. The copper lifted his head and glanced between the riders. He finally shrugged his shoulders, head moving in a tiny wave, and sent an affirmative response through their bond.

            “Yes sir,” Taekwoon answered, turning back to meet the Dragon Master’s gaze.

            “Good. You’ll start training on the morrow then,” he announced suddenly. “Make sure you’re ready.”

            “Yes sir!” the new dragonrider snapped to attention, wincing when the wounds pulled again.

            “And I’d go see Mimi if I were you,” he added as an afterthought, turning to leave as quickly as he’d arrived.

            “I was planning on it,” Taekwoon murmured, lifting his shirt one more time. He was pretty sure there were a couple marks on his neck and back too, but they didn’t hurt nearly as bad as the ones he was currently looking at. And after the healer, he was going to have to find Jinki. He’d promised after all, but this time, Taekwoon was looking forward to the conversation. This time, he knew what he could tell his other half and not have to worry about dodging answers or hiding truths. This time, he was ready.