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Chapter 24: Old Soul

Faelen sat stunned in the shower as Liam sobbed into his shoulder. 'Curse? He gave me a curse?' He sniffed the air as he detected the coppery tang of blood. 'Did he pierce my skin when he bit me? I don't feel any pain, but it probably healed right over, thanks to my Spirit powers.' "Liam. Shh. Come on, talk to me."

The door burst open as Geoff and Nathanial ran in. Geoff reacted first, "Sensei!? How'd you...? Faelen? You in here? You're manifesting. I can't see you. Let me know you're all right, I smell blood."

Nathanial walked into the shower and put his paw on Liam's back, "Sensei, please calm down. What ever is wrong, we can try to help, but you'll need to let us know what it is."

Faelen spoke up, "Let me talk to him, please. I'm fine, Geoff. I got him really worked up and he bit on my neck a little hard. It healed over immediately, I actually didn't notice it until I smelt the blood, too. He came over to tell me something, so, please, give us a little time."

Nathanial rubbed Liam's back, "Sure. I'll head off your Dad and my brothers. We'll be in the rec-room." He stood and walked out, grabbing Geoff's arm on his way. Geoff looked like he was going to say something before Nathanial shook his head. "Later. They need time to sort this out. Let's get the others settled, first, and then I'll find something to distract you with until they're done." He put Geoff's paw on his rump as he said 'distract'. Geoff followed him willingly.

Faelen smiled, 'Nathanial has Geoff wrapped around his little finger. I never thought I'd see the day.' Liam had started to calm down. "Liam. Love." He lifted Liam's head off his shoulder and looked into the bloodshot eyes. He gently kissed Liam, keeping the pup's eyes locked on his own, "As long as you don't leave me, I'll gladly face any curse. Just, please, tell me what's upsetting you. You aren't a Vampire, so what 'curse' could you possibly have?"

Liam sniffed and hiccupped, "Immortality, of a sort."

Faelen just stopped, confused, "Umm, most people... Well, they don't have it. I've done a bit of research when I was trying to figure out what you were, and I guessed you might be something called an Ancient One. Or Old Soul, among many other names. Even in the Hidden World they're almost considered mythical. They aren't supposed to be immortal, though. Even gods and Fey can die, and they're the closest thing to immortals around."

"I can die. I have died eight or more times. I just keep coming back. I am, we are, Ancient Ones. Well, you will be, if I am right." Liam sobbed, hugging Faelen close.

Faelen sat thinking, as Liam sniffled as he tried to compose himself. 'If he's died that many times, and lost so many loved ones, I can see why he'd be scared to love again. I guess a curse is all in how you look at it. If he's tired of living, but can never stay dead, you could really lose hope. And if all he has to look forward to is losing more people he loves...' Faelen shivered at the thought.

Liam started to cry again, "See. Everyone always thinks it would be great. Life with no consequences. Screw up one life, kill yourself and start over with a clean slate. Immortality. The dream of kings and heroes throughout history, hah! Loneliness, never ending, is more like it. Even in the company of others, even with friends and family, you are alone. Always alone. And, now, the person I have found, that I have come to admire and love like no one ever before, is cursed. I have never heard of it happening, not that there are many of us, but..."

"I'm sorry, Liam, but I don't understand. Please, explain it more clearly."

Liam gave a hollow laugh, "May as well, but you now have all the time in the world to figure it out. Maybe more time than that, if we colonize other worlds. I am an Ancient One. We are people who are constantly reincarnated into new lives after we die, thus we are also called Old Souls, for our bodies may be quite young. We do not know why someone is reincarnated, it may even be very common, but at times someone becomes aware of their previous life. If they do it is a often a very traumatic event, causing significant psychological and spiritual damage, if not immediate death. The few who do become aware of a past life, and seek to learn of it and from it, can be reincarnated again. Once this happens five times, they become an Ancient One. I am aware of eight previous lives, and think I may have an ninth. You are cursed, uniquely cursed from what I know, in that you have not been reincarnated, but have bound your spirit to mine. I think that when one of us dies, so will the other. When I am reborn, you will be, too. I am sorry, I did not mean for this to happen. I did not think it possible."

"At least you won't be alone, anymore. Is that why you looked so happy and hopeful for a moment?"

Liam nodded, "I was selfish. It was unbecoming. I thought first of that, how I may no longer be alone, and not of the misery I have inflicted on you. I cannot make it up to you, I only hope you will not hate me in the years, the centuries, to come."

"So you're my great-great-grandfather? How bizarre." Faelen smiled, and rubbed Liam's back. He gently thrust his hips upward, making his knot rub against Liam's prostate. "How many people get to say they've fucked a distant ancestor?"

Liam smiled softly, "You have not. I am not biologically related to you in any fashion. I was Lowell O'Conall, that body, the body of your ancestor, has long returned to the earth. I am Liam Smith, your younger lover, of no relation to the O'Conall's."

"Dang. I think. So, when your accent changes, that's a different 'you'? Like the Celt and Lowell?" Faelen kept his tone light and was rubbing Liam's back, trying to calm him down some more.

"Yes. The Celt was Conor Quinn, the second life I am certain of. I was a Druid, I think it was the late third into the fourth century AD. I was loud and boisterous, also very aggressive in bed. I gained my enhanced senses in that life, also the ability to speak to feral canids, amongst other things. The life that appears most often is the 'old man', Song Li, family name Song. I was a famous Healer and Kung Fu master, very renowned amongst the Monks. It is why I am so revered by many in the Chinese community. I wrote many of the old treatise on medicine and healing, most of which are still referred to. Nathanial-san encountered that personality on a few occasions."

"You really have multiple personalities. You should talk to a psychiatrist about that."

"That is not a joking matter, Faelen. I imagine many of us are subjected to that before our parents learn what their child is. Between a hundred years ago to forty years ago that may have been 'treated' with electro-shock 'therapy'. A barbaric and horrible thing to do to a child, to anyone. I was fortunate to Awaken, have a previous personality come to the forefront, in a Monk's Kwoon. Cheng Bao was the person there. He knew immediately who I was, and he helped my parents understand, somewhat, who and what I was. It was a very early Awakening, I was only three, it usually happens later, around puberty. I hope to be there when you Awaken, so I can help your next parents." It was starting to sink into Faelen exactly what this may entail. His Da may still be alive when Liam died, taking him with him. Then he'd come back, with new parents, Geoff somewhere else in the world, and a whole new life. He'd lose everything he knows. He may not even find Liam for decades. "Ah. Heh. Wow. This is... rough. I think I can understand you better, now. Who were you between Lowell and Liam?"

"No one. It was the shortest turnaround between lives I have had, less than a hundred years. It has always provided a clean break between lives; everything has changed, everyone I knew would be safely dead, and I often get reborn in a different part of the world. I was born in China three times, though. Japan once. That is why I seem to be so infatuated with Eastern cultures, they are familiar. This would also explain how I am so proficient at so much. I learned it all in a past life. Physical skills need to be re-taught to my body, thus I need to practice them a lot. One side effect of being an Ancient One is you cannot forget. Anything. Ever. Thus, all I learned, book and knowledgewise, is there, ready to be called upon once I can access that portion of a past life, usually when it will answer a question I have. It also makes studying very simple; read a text book once, and it's there."

"This is a lot to take in." Liam looked understanding, but still remorseful, so Faelen smiled, "One thing that isn't difficult is this." He gave Liam a deep kiss, two fingers pressing against the base of Liam's tail. Liam growled, his muscles contracting around Faelen's dick. Faelen put Liam onto his back on the floor as he continued to kiss him and began thrusting into him. His paw rubbed those two spots on Liam, his other paw holding onto Liam's shoulder, forcing the pup to moan and growl as his muscles almost involuntarily massaged Faelen as he roughly pounded into Liam. "Oh, gods, Liam. Round two isn't going to take long, either."

"You bastard." Liam moaned loudly as Faelen's knot ground against his prostate, "You, gods, play dirty. Not that I can complain, convincingly, right now." He bit on Faelen's neck, growling. Faelen howled as he came. Liam began shooting as he felt his guts being filled. Faelen fell into the sticky pool on Liam's torso. Liam tenderly licked Faelen's blood from his neck where Liam had bit him, "Sorry, love. I lose control when you over stimulate those spots. They really are the most erogenous spots on me."

"I don't mind at all, it's a small price for what I get for it."

"Bastard." Liam kissed him tenderly, "I was afraid you'd hate me for what happened. But we should let them know what happened. Slide me over so we can wash this mess up. They probably don't want to wait for us to separate, but we should at least wash the cum off." Faelen grumbled and groaned but he moved Liam over so their bellies were under the spray, but Liam's face wasn't. They got some soap and began washing. "Nathanial-san, if you are spying you may enter. We shall be clean, at least, momentarily." Faelen gave a slight start, not really thinking that Nathanial was capable of watching them like that.

A sheepish Nathanial walked in a short time later, licking some semen from his face as his softening erection waggled in his boxers. "I wasn't spying, as such, I just peeked in periodically as Geoff and I entertained each other while waiting. I didn't stay in long enough to get much of what you said. It's between the two of you until you choose to let us know." Geoff was in the same state as Nathanial, though he didn't bother with the underwear. Dirk and the other two Marks followed.

Faelen felt quite embarrassed, even if he'd either had sex with everyone here or they'd seen him during or just after cumming, already. Trying to have a serious conversation while tied with your boyfriend was still awkward. At least they couldn't really see him while he remained manifested. Liam shut off the shower, and pulled himself up onto Faelen's lap, "Close the door, please. I would like to keep the steam in for a while longer."

Geoff grinned, "Are you going to become as fond of mist as Nathanial has of the dark?"

Liam looked a little surprised, "I... do not know. I have not thought of that. Our... bond will certainly affect him, I did not think of how it would work in the other direction."

Dirk's tone was a little sharp, "What bond? What did you do to my pup?"

Liam turned around, both Faelen and he hissed at the sensation, "Ah. Sorry. I should face you while talking." He reached back and kissed Faelen quickly, "Um. I did, I unintentionally did what I thought was impossible. Our spirits, our souls, whatever, are bound together. We are connected, forever. Please do not ask questions until I finish trying to explain." He gave a quick reprise of what he told Faelen.

Dirk and Geoff looked crushed. Nicholas and Micah looked confused. Nathanial remained impassive. Geoff responded first, "I... I don't know what to say. You're essentially a normal Fur, otherwise, right Sensei?" Liam nodded, "That means you have, what, eighty-ish years left? Gods. Faelen, that really sucks. I thought we'd be together like this for at least another two hundred or more. Yeah, you may be sort of immortal, but you'll die so young."

Liam's face fell, "Yes. I am very sorry, I did not... I cannot say anything to justify this. I am sorry. I will likely live another hundred years, with luck. I am in control of my Chi, and should be able to maintain my vigour and health much longer than normal. Add that to the advances of medicine, it may even be longer. But, yes, because of me, Faelen will die young. He will come back as someone else, but that is of little comfort to you, as we do not know when."

Dirk sank to the floor, head in his paws, grief-stricken. Faelen called over, softly, "Sorry, Da. I will at least be with someone I love all that time. And beyond. We'll just have to make do with the time we have together." He addressed Liam, "But, really, why now? I've tied with you many times before this. You've done me. You've also had sex with Geoff and Nathanial. Why just me? Why now?"

Liam looked down, "I love you. I think that is part of it. You are a Spirit, and our essences have blended several times, would be another part. I have only been with one other Spirit besides you and Geoff, your great-great-grandmother. I loved her, but not deeply, not like this. I was partially bi, and wanted to experience a family in that life. I had many gay romances on the side when I was on business trips in London, and I never really considered myself bound to her. I never took her Chi or Spirit energy into me, and I never relaxed the same way I do around you. In my other lives as an Ancient One I was always... distant. I had flings and short relationships, but never anything deep. I do not think many Ancient Ones really fall in love. We always know how it is going to end, so we are always on guard. Five previous lives makes you cautious."

Nathanial looked thoughtful, "So, Xun. That was one of you're previous lives? Who were you then?"

Liam smiled, "Song Xun. That life rarely Wakes. That is why Dad was so surprised to see me like that. Dad is the only one who could ever tell which personality is dominant at a glance, without going by accents or mannerisms. He only needs to see how I hold myself." He sounded very proud of his father, "Anyway, Xun. I was a master sword smith in China at the time, in the seventeenth century AD. Sword smith and sword master. Amongst other things, of course. I achieved a fair amount of renown, then, too. Most of my swords are held by the Chinese government as National Treasures. I have my sword only because it was held in secret by the Monks, and it was smuggled out of the country before the communists took over."

Geoff frowned, "Ancient One. That's what Micah's grandfather was going to call you, wasn't it? He recognized you on sight?"

"Yes. The Fey see things differently than we do. He knew immediately what I was, but noticed I did not wish it to be known. They, well, most of the Hidden World hold us in high regard, if they know about Ancient Ones. All twenty-six of us. Give or take one or two. We almost never interact with each other, and we usually try to remain hidden, so very little is known. The Mages are intensely curious, but I think we are instinctively leery about being studied. That may change as the Mages become more ethical in the way they treat things they study."

Faelen paused thinking back over things Liam said, "The Grand Inquisitor. You said he hates you. Personally."

Liam sighed, "Yes. You have a good memory. Another thing I regret saying. He or she is an Ancient One, as well. We have a... history. He caused my death at one point. I have fought the Knights in several other lives. Including as Lowell. I have assassinated many high ranking Knights, many at the request of the Alpha at the time. I first met the Grand Inquisitor long before he took that title, in the second century BC. I was a priest of Hades, he was a self righteous monotheist. We took an instant hatred to each other. That was long before I became an Ancient One, my first or second life, I think. I have very little access to that life. It is very... difficult to bring out. Quite painful. The last time it happened I was unconscious for some time. It requires substantial amounts of Chi. Which reminds me, Faelen, I highly recommend you develop your Spirit powers and learn as much as I can teach you in Kung Fu. They both increase your Chi and strengthen your soul. Your soul keeps much of its strength when you reincarnate, which will make it much easier on you when you Awaken. Much less painful. I do not believe a Spirit has ever reincarnated, this should be interesting."

Dirk sputtered, "Interesting!? You.. you're stealing my boy! You're killing him in the prime of his life! And you're making it sound like some academic exercise!"

Liam's calm façade crumbled and he began softly crying, "I am sorry. I know. I was trying to think of the positive, however little there is."

Faelen growled, "Da. I love him. I know I'll die early, but it won't be forever. I'll be back. It's best to plan, now, rather than having a lot of trouble then. It's really selfish, but right now, I'd prefer to die when he does, and be reborn with him. It's incredibly romantic, if you think about it. I'm sorry our lives together will be short, but I could die tomorrow trying to protect Geoff. Or you could die protecting Conor. We're bodyguards. Our lives are always at risk and we have to plan for both possibilities. Just because my current maximum looks like it's less than initially thought, it doesn't change that. If I die fulfilling my duty or die with my love, I'll die happy."

Geoff whimpered, "Faelen. Don't talk like that. I don't want to think about you dying for me, happy or otherwise. I know it's what Da hired you and Dirk for, but it's depressing."

Faelen shook his head, "I wasn't hired to die for you, little brother, I was born to live and die for you. I just may have to leave a little earlier than I expected."

Geoff turned away, Faelen guessed it was so he couldn't see Geoff cry, "You really are depressing." Geoff started walking out of the bathroom.

Nathanial reached for Geoff but stopped and let him go. He looked back to Liam and Faelen, "It's late. We should leave you alone, for now. Micah, Nicholas, back to bed. Come on, Dirk. There's nothing to be done. Try to sleep and let it sink in." He patted Dirk on the shoulder. "Just sleep."

Dirk nodded numbly, "I always assumed Faelen would die after I did. Even though I was extremely young when he was born, I still assumed I'd go first. Now, it may still happen, but it doesn't seem likely. What parent can say they're comfortable knowing that?" He shakily climbed to his feet and stumbled out the door. Nicholas shook his head and left. Micah just shrugged and grabbed Nicholas' tail and skipped out with his older brother, humming as he swung the tail, before Nick growled and yanked it out of his paws.

Nathanial smiled as he watched them, before looking back as he stood in the doorway, "I hope you guys are comfortable with this. Don't beat yourself up, Liam-sensei, it was an accident. I can't think of someone better suited for you, you really are lucky, that way. Do you want me to fog up the room before I go? Will you be in here long?"

Faelen smiled back, "No. Liam promised me several rounds of sex, but we'll dry off and head back to bed once I deflate enough. Thanks."

Nathanial grinned, "No problem. Have fun, but still, try to get some sleep. I'm really kind of jealous. Geoff and I only have the one life, and it's likely to be even shorter. I'd be lucky to have eighty years left. I know you found it lonely and hard, Sensei, but if it were the four of us, I think you might find it more of a blessing than a curse. I'll have to try to figure out how to reincarnate, if it's even possible to influence it."

Liam shook his head, "No, Nathanial-san. Even if I knew how to do this again, I would not. It is not something I would wish on anyone, especially a friend. You cannot believe the pain I feel having cursed my love like this. Even if he is too much a fool to hate me for it."

"I know, Sensei. I can understand, even if you are too much a fool to realize how much it must mean to him to know that he won't have to suffer through his later life without you." Nathanial left the bathroom, smiling.

Faelen licked Liam's ears, "Fools in love, that's what we are. He's right, Liam. I don't hate you, and I'm glad to know I won't be alone after you die. I will be with you."

Liam snorted, "Foolish romantic. We are still young, our personalities will continue to change. When we are reborn, we will be very different people. We may not even like each other. Though our Faelen and Liam lives will still remember their love. That will always be with us. I am still horribly conflicted about this."

Faelen nibbled along Liam's neck, punctuating each word with a small bite or lick, "Don't be. Remember the hope and happiness you felt when you realized you weren't alone and just focus on that. You. Aren't. Alone." Those last three words were punctuated by kisses along Liam's muzzle. Liam met him on the last word, and they kissed deeply and passionately.

---

Nathanial woke before Geoff the next morning and just lay there gazing at his boyfriend for a time. His rump was still a little sore from last night, sore and sticky, but it didn't bother him. It actually made him a little horny. He pushed the thought aside, and he carefully sat up. He crossed his legs and placed his paws on his knees as he steadied his breathing, allowing his mind to slip over to the next room. There was something unusual in Geoff's room, but he ignored it as he focused on his task. He hovered over Liam and Faelen studying their energy patterns. He could see the pattern, faintly, that Liam referred to as Chi, and he could easily see Faelen's Spirit energy. There must be more, somewhere, for this 'bond' to work. He just had to learn how to see it. See it and duplicate it. He was not going to lose Geoff to something as trivial as death. Death would have to learn to accept being cheated. It had done so twenty-six times before, what was three more?

He had no idea what time he'd started studying, or what time it was now, but when Liam and Faelen woke up, Nathanial tried to unfold his legs. He gave a loud yelp in pain, falling forward onto his face. Geoff woke up with a start, "You- you okay?" Geoff sounded concerned at first, but as he looked at Nathanial laying face down on the bed, rump in the air, and legs still mostly crossed, he began to laugh.

"Oh, shut up. I can't move my legs. Unhook them, please." Nathanial tried to sound annoyed, but couldn't manage it.

Faelen poked his head in, "You all right, Nathanial? Or was it just Geoff taking you a bit roughly?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. No, it wasn't Geoff. My legs have gone numb, I fell over when I tried to get up." He yelped, louder, when Geoff pushed his legs apart. "Oh, bloody gods! That hurts!" The blood started to return to his legs, giving him the worst case of pins and needles he'd ever had.

Liam was yawning as he pushed past Faelen, and stood in front of him. He wrapped the Wolf's arms around him, "It is the return of signals from your nerves, medically known as paresthesia. It will abate in time. You must have cut off the flow of blood to the nerves in your legs. I can, or Geoff can massage your legs to stimulate blood flow. It will likely amplify the sensations, but shorten the duration. I can easily numb your legs for that time if you wish."

"Yes! Do it! Please." Nathanial whimpered as he lay sprawled on the bed.

Liam staggered over, "Move, Geoff-san. If you please." Geoff growled slightly, hackles raised, but he moved out of the way. Liam didn't appear to notice. He sat on Nathanial's back, and made several sharp jabs with his fingers. Nathanial sighed and relaxed on the bed, Liam began vigorously rubbing Nathanial's legs.

Nathanial put his head on his paws, "Sensei, which life did you learn to massage in?"

"Timeus. First, I think, maybe second. Greeks loved massages. I was trained very young as a pleasure slave before acquiring my freedom and joining the priests of Hades. I learned therapeutic massaging as Lung Tai: Timeus, Conor, then Tai. First life as a Monk. Again, Lung is the family name."

Faelen frowned, "Pleasure slave? Young?"

Liam nodded, "Yes. I began my training at age four. The ancient Greeks and Romans did not have issues with getting pleasure from pups. Male or female. Actually, many peoples did not and some still do not. Most apprentices were expected to help 'pay' for their training by sexually satisfying their teacher; however, anal sex was forbidden in that situation. Which does not mean it did not happen, from time to time. Olive oil made for decent lubrication, if the adult did not produce enough precum. I was quite gifted in the pleasuring arts, from what I recall. I do recall not enjoying being a slave and making a pact with Hades for my freedom." He poked at Nathanial's back, again, before moving off. "Your legs will be weak for a while, and tingly, but they should no longer hurt. What were you doing to cause this?"

"Meditating."

"I did not know you meditated. It is a valuable skill. I will be teaching it as part of Kung Fu lessons, to those who I accept." Liam seemed impressed.

Nathanial blushed, "It's probably different to what you do. I was focusing on my magic, which, I'd guess, is not what the goal of your lessons would be." Liam just shook his head, smiling.

Geoff climbed off his bed, "Bladder run. Excuse me. Calling dibs." Faelen followed him out.

"Thanks for your help, Sensei. You can go after Geoff's done, if you need to."

"No, thank you. I can wait. Faelen and Geoff are going, now, so you need not wait long. I will begin stretching, however."

"Gods. How can you guys start exercising right after waking up? It's the farthest thing from my mind."

"But magic is not? It is very similar, exercise the body, or the mind. You could even do both, perhaps, once you are more familiar with the exercise routines. Or at least the cardio, portion," He patted Nathanial's soft belly, "Which you should work on, pup. Not that it isn't extremely cute." Nathanial blushed, and blushed harder as his tip poked out of his sheath. Liam growled softly at the sight, "Perhaps I shall waylay Faelen for round seven before working out." His tail was wagging softly as he left the room. Nathanial chuckled and followed him. Geoff and Faelen walked out of the washroom, and Liam intercepted them, a thoughtful expression on his face. "A favour, Geoff-san. Stand there, Nathanial-san." He motioned for Geoff to stand behind Nathanial. "Press here and here, if you please." He pointed to either side of Nathanial's tail, at the ten and two o'clock positions.

Geoff frowned a little, and put his index finger and thumb there, but didn't press, "Um, why?"

"If it works, you shall see." Liam waggled his ears and grinned. Geoff grinned back and pressed, gently squeezing at the same time.

Nathanial jumped a little, "Oh! _ Jeepers! That's nice. Use you thumbs, please, and a bit more pressure." Geoff complied, and Nathanial began to growl slightly and became half-erect, "Oh, that's _really nice. Not prostate nice, but still."

Liam shrugged, "I guess it works different on different people. It does nothing for Faelen." Nathanial saw Faelen slide behind Liam and put his paw against Liam. Liam suddenly arched his back and growl loudly, his eyes narrowing. He also noticed Liam's erection swiftly slide out of his sheath and start to twitch. Liam suddenly spun around and grab Faelen in a rough kiss, Faelen moved his paw back to Liam's tail and rubbed along those two spots. Faelen met Geoff's eyes, and he was obviously grinning as he kissed Liam. He picked him up, holding his paw under Liam's rump and carried the dog into his bedroom.

Nathanial and Geoff both said, "Wow," at the same time. Nathanial turned around, slid an arm behind Geoff, and pressed the spots he felt Geoff press on him. Geoff just shrugged, "I'd prefer your paw here." He slid it around to his hardening erection. "It's nice. Nicer than anywhere else around the base of my tail, but not that nice." He jerked his head towards Faelen's room.

"Still, you've started something I'm going to make you finish." Nathanial put one of Geoff's paws on his erection and the other on his tail.

"Yes, sir!"

After a somewhat lengthy hiatus, the four made it to the workout room. They began stretching just as Dirk and Nicholas walked in. "Nick!" Nathanial exclaimed, surprised, "This is early for me, let alone you. What are you...?" Nathanial broke off seeing a bone choker around Nicholas' neck. He frowned at Dirk, "Doing up? I hope this isn't some S&M thing, and it's just a friendly gift." He pointed at the choker.

Nicholas glared back, "No. And even if it was, it wouldn't be your business. I like the way it looks, and asked Dirk to make me one."

Nathanial growled, "I raised you, Nick. I may not be your dad, but I'm the closest thing you've had. Your safety is my business, and at fifteen, that includes your sex partners, if they're adults. Even if they aren't, it is if I think they're a threat to you."

Nicholas' voice was louder, and his fur bristled, "Raised me?! I'm less than a year younger than you! Don't give me that crap. I mostly raised myself!"

"I cooked, I cleaned, I helped bathe you, I helped you with your homework, I made sure you got swimming lessons, and so on. I even disciplined you, and taught you manners. When you screwed up, I was the one who took the fall! I raised you in every way that counts!" Nathanial's voice was hurt and furious. He noticed his vision getting dark around the edges, and the sound of heavy breathing was loud in his ears.

Nicholas paused, looking at Nathanial with fear in his eyes, his stance became submissive, and voice quiet, "You're right. I'm sorry. You did do all that." He stepped over and gently licked the edge of Nathanial's muzzle.

Nathanial hugged him, calming down, "Sorry for yelling, Nick." He grabbed Nicholas' scruff, and pushed him to his knees by magic, glaring down into his eyes, "Just never tell me your safety isn't my concern, again!" He shook him by his scruff, "Got it!?"

Nicholas' eyes were wide as he nodded; his tail was curled between his legs, but failed to hide his growing erection. Nathanial smiled as he rubbed his brother's ears. Everyone was staring at him, Dirk and Liam were grinning. Dirk chuckled, "Geoff, if your boyfriend keeps this up, I may need to borrow him, if Nick doesn't try to, first." Geoff just growled a little angrily and began stretching.