Only, they didn’t immediately talk about all that had happened. The on watch-duty Himchan returned with Master Mimi not more than a few heartbeats after they finished greeting each other. The latter was absolutely adamant about the waking riders actually waking up and eating their first solid meal in days.

            “Days?” Taekwoon asked for clarification, with an extra emphasis on the s at the end of the word.

            “Oh yes. Six to be exact,” Master Mimi nodded as he did a once over of Taekwoon first before moving further into the hall so he could check on Chaerin and her rousing group.

            “Almost seven,” Himchan added with a strange mix of relief, excitement, and uncertainty all blending together. He seemed to feel Mimi’s glance and nodded once before drifting inward first, though he did offer a reassuring smile to Taekwoon as he passed.

            Taekwoon and Jinki responded in kind and then focused on each other again. Noticing his position, Taekwoon looked at his other half quickly, still wide eyed in his surprise, before the other man raised his hand with a sheepish expression on his face. “I requested you be positioned at the front so I could check on you easier…” he trailed off with a helpless shrug.

            “And since you were generally the only one receiving regular visits, it just made sense,” Mimi added easily, his focus otherwise on a bleary eyed Ryeowook. The Healer did cast one more glance at the still sleeping Chaerin, a slight crease on his forehead appearing before he moved to the next person.

            “I see,” Taekwoon nodded, laughing once under his breath. He grabbed Jinki’s hand in his and held tight, though his focus drifted to Chaerin as well and he shuddered involuntarily.

            His other half didn’t miss it and he squeezed his hand back, moving swiftly into an informing role. “Insoo did come by too. As did most of your wingmates at some point or another,” Jinki assured him. “They all came out of this pretty quickly,” he added while his eyes searched Taekwoon’s face as if looking for something. “Some headaches and tiredness, but nothing too bad. What about you? You alright?” he asked, brushing his fingertips against Taekwoon’s shoulder and letting them linger.

            “Yes,” Taekwoon insisted quickly, turning to meet his other half’s gaze. But even as he said it, he wasn’t sure that was entirely true as his stomach knotted uncomfortably. Jong? he called out, testing the bond and reaching for his dragon.

            Thankfully, that at least appeared unchanged and his dragon responded immediately. Yes?

            Is Fei still in Trance? he wondered, knowing that if she was, that was likely where Chaerin still was.

            “You sure?” Jinki pressed gently, tracing a strand of Taekwoon’s hair behind one ear, his face creasing in mild concern.

            Yes, was Jonghyun’s slightly delayed response. Other dragons awake.

            Taekwoon nodded in understanding, but then focused his attention back on Jinki, his eyesight sharpening when he looked outward again. His nod turned into assurance and he added, “I’m fine, my heart. Just…” he trailed off, not entirely sure what to say.

            “Jinki. Could you go tell Master Junjin the riders have woken up and need food please?” Mimi asked, interrupting the moment before Taekwoon could finish his thoughts. “And Himchan, if you wouldn’t mind locating Henry.”

            “Yes, sir!” Himchan chirped immediately, brushing past the pair at the front as he did so, one hand briefly giving Jinki’s arm a supportive squeeze before he was gone.

            Jinki gave him a grateful smile and then looked at Taekwoon again. He knew there was something more to be said. His expression showed it quite clearly. But he held Taekwoon’s hand and nodded once before forcing a smile and looking up at the Healer. “Of course, Master Mimi.”

            “Thank you,” the Healer nodded, distracted with Chaerin’s condition currently.

            “I’ll be right back,” Jinki promised, looking at Taekwoon as if he expected something else to happen in the meantime.

            “I’ll be here,” Taekwoon assured him, running the backs of his fingers across Jinki’s cheek in a gentle caress.

            Jinki nodded once in understanding and then he was gone, slipping away swiftly to do what he could. It left Taekwoon to his thoughts though, and the relative isolation of being the only one that didn’t quite belong to a particular group in this space. Chaerin’s group was coming around and talking quietly amongst themselves with the occasional worried glance at Chaerin herself. One or two cast curious looks his way but they all seemed… hesitant to speak. Why, he didn’t know, but it was certainly unsettling.

            Why not speak with mate? Jonghyun asked curiously, his tone indicating he thought Taekwoon should have said something already.

            There were many responses that went through his mind just then, but really, what it all came down to was, Foolishness. Clearly his answer was more confusing than he had anticipated and all he got back was a silent question. Glancing at the other riders and Chaerin especially, he frowned. Mate can’t help. Probably. And would only make him worry more.

            He felt a brief moment of silence as if Jonghyun was talking to Jongup and then his dragon responded. Still. Should tell. Worry together about same thing. Not worry apart about different things.

            Taekwoon winced and exhaled slowly, curling in on himself on the bed. I know. He did, really. But it didn’t make him feel any better about what had happened. Now that he was back in his body and actually conscious, he could remember more clearly what had happened. With memory came phantom feelings and he flinched at the still audible sound – and almost palpable feeling – of him changing ringing in his ears. Desperate to focus on anything else, he reached for his dragon again. What happened with Tiamat?

            Anger pulsed first. It was a reactionary response and not directed at him, but Taekwoon felt it quite clearly. We felt her wake and called. Wasn’t planned… the dragon admitted hesitantly, as if he was thinking about what had happened himself. Not spell… but instinct, he clarified a breath later.

            Like something in the blood? Taekwoon asked, fingers tightening on his arms as he hugged himself.

            Yes. She heard and came. Answered her children’s call. He sounded very conflicted then. We… talked, he admitted uncertainly, the feeling obvious in his voice but also the connection between them.

            About what? his rider pressed, realizing he hadn’t been able to understand but sure that he’d heard the voices.

            Everything, was the unhelpful response. When Jonghyun felt Taekwoon’s frustration, he struggled to find a better answer. Our understanding of time after she was bound. Our feelings of now.

            Was she angry? Taekwoon couldn’t help but ask. The glimpse he’d had of her was terrifying and her anger had been directed at him specifically. For good reason but still…

            Not with us, his dragon shook his head, still trying to puzzle through what he knew and what he’d felt. Humans. Riders.

            Hmm. Why couldn’t I reach you? Their bond had remained secure so he had no cause to worry at the time, but in hindsight, it probably should have been more concerning that their lack of communication had gone on for so long. It was just impossible to tell in the Trance space exactly how much time had gone by. He certainly hadn’t expected six days.

            I… spell? his dragon wondered aloud, obviously mulling over the idea. Felt our connection. Knew still there, but she wanted us. All of us. No riders. No humans. Come home.

            Home?

            To her. Some dragons start to agree. Try to convince others. She didn’t want some. She wanted all, so keep talking. Keep making… spell. His thoughts grew troubled and heavy, pressing on Taekwoon as well.

            Did you want to go to her? he couldn’t help but ask.

            Yes. His blunt answer surprised Taekwoon and Jonghyun responded accordingly. Am dragon. She is all dragons’ mother. So yes. But can’t. Won’t. Hates humans. Hates riders. You would die.

            That he could very easily believe. Recalling the last moments again, he shivered and hunched further inward. His voice remained strong through their connection though. Was Fei one that wanted to go with Tiamat? There had to be a reason why Chaerin thought her bond was weakening.

            Jonghyun’s immediate silence was answer enough. But he eventually did offer a verbal response. Yes. But also dragons in her group. New dragons too. And… he trailed off, the last word almost a whisper, like he was having trouble believing it himself. Gain.

            What? That caught Taekwoon’s attention.

            Before your challenge, Gain and Hero argued. Two sides. I… stood with Hero, he explained, almost surprised at his choice. Taekwoon wanted to ask another question but he knew there was something that had been left unsaid. That Jonghyun wanted to say but hadn’t found the words yet. So he waited, and wasn’t disappointed. Hard to argue against… Gain. So stayed quiet. Sleepy. Like dream. But heard you. Felt you, rider. Not there when you needed me.

            He didn’t say it, but Taekwoon felt the apology hidden in the words. I was scared. Hurting. You weren’t there when I thought I needed you, but you came through in the end. That was you wasn’t it? he asked, knowing the dragon would understand the question.

            Quiet pride flowed between them and Jonghyun answered, Yes. Then Hero, he added with just a hint of deserved gloating. That seemed to be enough to sate the distance between them and an awkward silence descended. Taekwoon didn’t know what else to ask or mention and Jonghyun seemed finished for the moment. But the dragon did add eventually, Talk to mate. He has heard you.

            That startled Taekwoon and he inhaled sharply as he opened watery eyes. Still curled in on himself, he reached up to wipe at the tears on his cheek before a hand caught his and did it for him. Jinki gently wiped his thumb under Taekwoon’s eyes and just looked at him with this expression of pained understanding. “You were whispering out loud, love,” he murmured, answering the unspoken question. “You do it sometimes,” he added softly, a light shrug accompanying the words.

            “How long?” Taekwoon asked, still curled on his side so that he could only see Jinki out of the corner of his eyes.

            “Just the last part, but hard not to know something’s bothering you with how you look now,” he explained, exhaling with a look up and down Taekwoon’s curled up form.

            Taekwoon nodded and unfolded enough to wrap his arms around Jinki’s shoulders and hug him tight. “Just… stay with me for a bit,” he whispered, taking a trembling breath.

            “Of course,” Jinki laughed once, as if doing anything else was an absurd thought. “Then food. Then an actual night’s sleep. And then we can think about talking,” he soothed, one hand cupping the back of Taekwoon’s head and the other running soothing down his back.

            It didn’t change what had happened, but it did help the knot in Taekwoon’s belly to loosen just a touch. He took one more deep breath, shaky but full, and whispered back, “Okay.”

            The evening was unproductive… but restful. None of the waking riders were allowed to leave just yet. They were all ordered to remain under observation to be sure there were no effects of their prolonged exposure to Trance. Though Chaerin was the last to wake, she did come around eventually, her energy much diminished but well. She looked at Taekwoon and he could see the strangest combination of emotions in her, clear as day as if he was reading dragon speak in her body language.

            Lingering fear. Gratitude. Sadness. Certainly anger, though not at him. There was something else there too but he wasn’t sure what word to put to it. It made him wary.

            Commander Yunho arrived later in the evening – it had been late afternoon when they’d come around – and tried to ask questions, but Healer Mimi denied him that. It rankled and the restriction showed on Yunho’s face, his eyes raking the occupants as if they might have secrets he needed to know about what was happening.

            “Your dragon was just as much a part of this as them so go ask him if he’s willing to answer,” the Master Healer instructed, arms crossed over his chest as he met the Commander’s gaze evenly. Outside, they were obviously no match for each other. Yunho would win in combat any given day, but the Healing Hall was Mimi’s domain. Here, he was master and his word was law.

            “But-”

            “No. They are my patients and I require they have at least one solid night of true rest before anyone starts demanding a recounting of what happened. One night isn’t going to change much,” he added with a matter of fact statement.

            Commander Yunho’s mouth firmed and his body tensed but he did not argue the point. He cast one more glance around the room, letting his gaze linger on Taekwoon before he really saw Jinki and exhaled slightly. “Very well. On the morrow then,” he snapped, turning on his heels and leaving abruptly.

            “Well then,” Healer Mimi snorted and shook his head. He turned to go back to monitoring his patients while they all simply exchanged at least mildly impressed looks. As a Captain, Yunho had been at least slightly imposing for most of them. As a Commander, that sensation hadn’t really faded and it was… nice to say the least, to see him treated the same as everybody else once in a while.

            Jinki did have to leave at one point to report to Master Satoru, but he returned before too much time had gone by. That the Healers were curious was quite obvious, especially so on Himchan and Henry’s faces. But under Mimi’s watchful eyes, they were hardly inclined to pry and were content to let the riders divulge what they wanted and when.

            That Jinki took up the mantle of bringing them up to speed on the day to day happenings they’d missed was expected, to a degree, but it did not make Taekwoon forget there was more going on. The cold snap seemed to have broken at last and the snow was starting to melt. Messengers could get to Miremaw by horse a bit easier now and travel was resuming once more. They’d had a recent influx of a few new persons seeking sanctuary but nothing entirely unexpected.

            It did make Taekwoon smile to learn of Master Minjun’s excitement about the Group Trance event though. Perched on the foot of Taekwoon’s bed, Jinki was animated in his retelling of the Masters walking from the dining hall. And their continued exuberance even after. Taekwoon could have watched him all night. Jinki was very much a literal balm on his ragged spirit. In his company, pleasantly full from their evening meal and tired from their endeavors, Jinki’s voice was also very much a soothing lullaby and Taekwoon slept, really slept, for the first time in days.

            Only when Taekwoon woke did he have to start thinking about what had happened while he’d been unconscious previously. Despite waking within the circle of Jinki’s arms, his first impulse was to reach for his dragons, just to make sure they were there. A sleepy but reassuring touch answered his call and then gently pushed him away for more rest. The response made Taekwoon’s mouth quirk to the side and he snuggled harder against his other half’s chest.

            “You waking up?” came the first soft words of his morning.

At first, Taekwoon didn’t want to answer and he reveled in the gentle touch that traced against the back of his head. He knew Jinki wouldn’t force him to come around if he didn’t really want to, but… he also knew this was a very temporary respite. And, if he recalled correctly, he was still in the Healing Hall as opposed to the comfort of their shared room. “Yes,” he admitted begrudgingly, lifting his face to rest his chin on Jinki’s chest so he could meet the other man’s partially closed eyes. Glancing to either side quickly confirmed his suspicion and he wrinkled his nose.

            “There you are,” Jinki smiled, a warm and comforting expression that drew Taekwoon’s focus once more. “Good morning.”

            “Morning yourself,” the rider sighed, blinking slowly as he fought to not give into the impulse of simply curling close and falling asleep again. It was tempting indeed. Especially given the additional albeit still sleeping company nearby. Henry was on watch duty, though the young Healer was very much nodding with the rest of them and the other riders were still in their restful slumbers as well. Chaerin’s back was to them so he couldn’t tell exactly, but he wouldn’t put it past her to pretend just so she could listen in.

            “How’d you sleep?” came the otherwise expected question and another gentle against his brow this time.

            Considering he didn’t even remember sleeping or falling asleep, Taekwoon figured it was a pretty good night. “Good. You?”

            “I always sleep better when you’re here,” he admitted with an almost shy smile.

            They had literally done nothing more than share the same sleeping space, but the admission was enough for Taekwoon to reach up and brush his fingers against Jinki’s cheek. “Me too,” he promised, hand drifting down to rest against the side of his bare neck. They held each other’s gazes for a moment longer, content to just be for a little while, but then Taekwoon sighed. “So… what did I miss?”

            Jinki’s mouth twisted into a slight frown and he gently grabbed Taekwoon’s forearm. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

            “I promise,” he whispered, feeling much stronger about that statement today. Maybe not completely, but enough to know what he needed to know, even if the memory of yesterday did make his stomach twist into a loose knot.

            The other man’s brow rose as if he didn’t entirely trust him, lips thinning to match the gesture. Eventually, he sighed and his face relaxed in acquiescence. “You just look so pale,” he grumbled with laughter in his voice. Taekwoon refrained from saying the same thing about his other half and simply waited, an expectant smile on his face. “Fine,” Jinki snorted with a shake of his head. “But not until you have a decent morning meal and we have a moment to ourselves. And then it’s your turn.”

            The added step was frustrating, but he couldn’t exactly argue. Apparently he’d been eating nothing but broth for the past sevenday, more or less. And he could feel it. “Fine,” he relented easily, casting a quick look at Henry. “Do you want to wake him or should I?” he offered almost playfully.

            “I’ll do it,” Jinki snorted with a shake of his head. Reluctantly, he pulled free and wandered over to speak with the Healer in training. Not surprisingly, Taekwoon couldn’t leave until Master Healer Mimi had a chance to clear him, which took more time. Since Henry couldn’t leave, that meant Jinki had to and it was all just more trouble than it seemed to be worth for the time being.

            Granted, it made a great deal more sense after they’d been cleared, ambled into the dining hall kitchens for a quick early morning meal, and then made their way back to their shared quarters for more privacy. Only then was Jinki willing to speak more freely, citing potentially panic-inducing information should anyone else happen to hear it.

            Taekwoon had half expected any number of things to have occurred such as the usual Aerie troubles and tensions and whatnot. But ultimately, the news that Jinki had seen Bahamut himself and that they’d noticed other dragons patrolling in the distance made him nearly forget his own information. Jinki explained the dragons were not part of the Stardust Battalion but neither were they with Tiamat’s Aerie. They appeared to be a separate set that could have been standard dragons, formerly bound or even rogues, but as they had not come towards the Aerie, they were not deemed a threat. Yet. The larger concern was actually Bahamut and the gift or curse he potentially represented.

            “Satoru believes timing will be more important there,” Jinki explained with a helpless shrug. “I just don’t know what the right time will be,” he admitted quietly, at a loss.

            Unfortunately, Taekwoon had a very unpleasant idea of when that might be. “Actually…” he trailed off, twisting his mouth to the side with a chagrined look.

            “What?” his other half asked by rote, though the curiosity was genuine.

            “I’m pretty sure Tiamat will be coming this way at least sometime soon,” he explained hesitantly.

            “And how would you know that?” Jinki asked with suspicion evident in his tone.

            “I may have challenged Tiamat in Trance,” Taekwoon admitted, cringing automatically. “I hadn’t meant to,” he tried to defend himself when he saw the immediate flood of reactions flash across Jinki’s face: surprise, anger, fear… “I had meant to call for Jonghyun but the dragon in me was angry and hurting and – to be fair, so was I. We both lashed out at the thing causing it. Tiamat,” he exhaled, letting out the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “She came, which was terrifying,” he added with an involuntary shudder. “But as a result, I think we stopped whatever she was trying to do.”

            It was clear Jinki was not happy with what his other half had told him, but it was equally obvious he was following the thought process. “And you think she may come here to…”

            “Get revenge or, maybe, try to finish what she started,” he explained with a shrug. “I know she was mad at me,” he started, flinching away from the glare in those golden eyes, “but it was strange.” Jinki’s question was obvious on his face. “Everyone told us she was always angry at the world. A mad dragon bent on revenge. And part of her is, if what I felt was any indication. But… she seemed more sad or lonely when she first woke up.”

            “That is strange,” Jinki murmured, brushing at his chin with thumb thoughtfully.

            “And… when Jonghyun helped break her… spell, it almost seemed as if she felt… I don’t know, betrayed,” he added hesitantly. It felt right but it didn’t sound right to apply such human emotions to what he’d always envisioned as a god.

            Jinki didn’t say anything immediately. His expression indicated he was thinking instead with a wrinkle forming between his brows that wasn’t particularly comforting. “That is both surprising and… worrying,” he finally whispered with a quick glance at Taekwoon.

            “Why does it make you worry?” the rider couldn’t help but ask.

            Again, Jinki frowned and his forehead wrinkle deepened. “It is not exactly Tiamat that worries me. Rather… if she feels such things now, I hate to think what Bahamut might feel.”

            That was an unwanted dousing of cold water on Taekwoon’s thoughts. “Oh,” he exhaled once, blinking as he turned that possibility over in his mind. History said that he’d defeated Tiamat and ascended to the heavens, untouched by man. The contrary evidence around them showed that was an abject lie. Bahamut had been imprisoned against his will. Whether he won or not against Tiamat didn’t matter. The fact was that humans had bound him with runes and used him for hundreds of years for their own ends.

            He knew for a fact that Tiamat hated humans. He’d felt it and his dragon had told him as much. It was not such an outlandish idea that maybe… just maybe, Bahamut felt some of what Tiamat did. “That is worrying,” Taekwoon admitted with a twist to his mouth. Jinki simply nodded in mute agreement and held tighter to his other half.