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“Wow! That was a wild match!" Fangirls…Orion could have done without them, really. Not that he minded getting positive attention, but they tended to go a good bit farther than the typical fan. “You looked awesome out there! I got 186 pictures!" Like that…that was more footage of Orion than he wanted to be in someone else's hands. There was a small crowd of them, hopefully they hadn't all taken that many…

“Ah. Well, I appreciate your enthusiasm!" He still tried to put on a good smile for the young ladies - he wasn't a jerk, after all. “But that was just an exhibition, it wasn't that intense compared to the championship. We were mostly just enjoying ourselves out there, right Bunk?"

“Hm? Oh, yeah!" Bunk rubbed his head, grinning a bit uncertainly. “Sorry, wasn't really listening. Oh, I think someone out there didn't enjoy themselves as much as we did…" He took a bit of a glance back at the scowling blue dragon that had been one of the foes they'd faced off against. “Heh, I'd probably be pretty peeved if I got one-shot out there, too."

“That was an incredible sight!" gushed another fangirl. “For you to just put him down like he was nothing like that! It was amazing! No wonder you're the best!"

“Ha ha, thanks!" Bunk played it off like it was nothing…really, it had been more luck than anything, but that wasn't something the fans enjoyed hearing most of the time. “Yeah, so, I think we've gotta get going, though. Stuff to do and all that."

Orion looked up at Bunk curiously. “Huh? What've we got going on? And why wasn't I consulted?"

“Ah, well, it's not something that was planned, just something that's kinda happened! But we've gotta go enjoy our victory a bit, too, right?"

Orion was pretty perplexed by this. Bunk wasn't usually that coy around him these days…maybe it was something he didn't want getting out to the fans around them? He couldn't imagine what that was, but Bunk had been rather distracted at the end of the day's matches…still, it seemed like as good an excuse as any to duck the crowd. “Ah, well, I suppose we should get moving then-"

“Ah! Please! Let me get an autograph!" Another fangirl shoved her way up. “Please sign something for me, Orion!"

“Whoa! Sorry, but I don't have autograph stuff with me-"

“That's all right! I've got a marker right here! And you can sign my underwear!"

Orion's eyes shot open wide, and Bunk took that as his cue to intervene. He swooped in behind Orion, holding out a big hand to keep the girl away. “Sorry, no one's allowed to give autographs without using approved stuff. Undies are a big no-no. But if you want something to remember us by, take a few pics of us!" That was all the warning Orion got before Bunk's big arms swooped around him, pulling him into a tight embrace as Bunk knelt behind him. There was a lot of awwing and the sound of pictures being snapped as Bunk nuzzled into his buddy's face, Orion blushing but smiling in spite of the whirlwind of activity around him.

The move had a second purpose as well, though, as Bunk lifted Orion in the air and held him close as he pushed through the crowd, forcing them to part at his much larger presence. This finally allowed them to get away from the excitement a bit, as they were able to get outside and to where most people were more focused on departing than anything. Only then did Orion trust himself to speak up. “Laying it on a bit there, bud?"

“What, can't I show how much I care to my buddy?" teased Bunk.

“It felt like you were about five seconds from making out with me there."

“Three, but who's counting? Relax, I was just distracting them, they weren't ready for me to start moving through them."

“Speaking of distractions…what's gotten into you? Your head's been in the clouds the last little bit here."

“Ah…uh, well, I'll explain in a little bit." Bunk's expression got a touch more uncertain. “Let's go celebrate first, we can talk about that afterwards!"

“Huh? All right. But now you've got me all curious!"

“Aheh, it's just something I want to make sure I know what I'm talking about before I say anything! Now c'mon, my stomach's kicking me! I've gotta get a few burgers in me!"

Orion rolled his eyes. “You and your burgers. All right, let's get going!" He made a mental note to eat light, because he had a feeling he was likely to get a lot of Bunker in him before the day was done…

---

To say it had been going well for them was probably an understatement. Orion and Bunk were living the dream.

It had been close to three years since that fateful day…the day that everything almost fell apart completely. Back then, Bunk had been ordered by his father, the famous Drum, to come take his place as chieftain of the Drum Bunker Dragon tribe…a role Bunk hadn't wanted, but hadn't felt he could refuse, not when Drum was insistent on it. On top of that, he was plagued by feelings of lust for his partner that he didn't think were appropriate. He'd been less than forthright about everything then, and it had predictably used Orion, who'd laid some harsh words on him in the midst of a drunken anger…harsh words that had finally woken Bunk up once he'd truly listened to them. Somehow, it had helped him find the stones to refuse his father, and to express the truth to Orion about his feelings, which were clearly reciprocated. It felt like the world had righted itself once again.

Then a few months later came the next destabilization. Drum had come into their lives for a bit, claiming to want to get to know the buddy that had his son so attached while in reality searching for any reason to force Bunk back into the life that he had intended for his son. Seeing the two getting intimate had really riled him up, to the point where Bunk and Drum were engaged in a no-holds-barred slugfest over their conflict. Just when Bunk was on the ropes, though, Orion had stepped in, throwing Drum's own issues in his face - his lust for his own buddy that he'd left behind, that he'd never been able to properly deal with - and after a few choice shots from Bunk, Drum had finally relented for real and left Bunk to live his life they way he wanted. It was Bunk's sister Kera who was instead taking on the mantle of chieftain, the first female in the history of the clan to do so.

Since then, things had gone far more smoothly. Allowed to be themselves and love as they wanted, they did so, and they used that heat-forged bond to carry themselves to glory. Winners of multiple big tournaments, including two championships, and considered one of the best duos in the world, they had come storming back from their slump at the start of the mess to reign supreme. Sure, they still had their moments…two fiery personalities, there was the occasional clash between them, but nothing close to what they'd dealt with successfully, and they always came to terms afterwards. And when it came to their matches, they were always able to set aside anything in the way and come together to deliver the performances they'd gotten to be known for.

There was plenty of speculation about the secret to their success…none had found out the true nature of the relationship between the two, it was something they kept fiercely guarded. It wasn't a union that was entirely unprecedented, but it wasn't something that had widespread acknowledgement, either, and they certainly didn't want to be the ones to test how the public would react to the idea of human-dragon relations. Besides that, it suited them not having people prying into their private business like that - some might have valued openness, they preferred their privacy.

“Hard to believe it's going on three years," observed Orion as they settled in their home after their burger trip. “Never would have imagined how things would end up back then…glad we got past the roller coaster intact."

“Yeah, I won't say no to never having THAT kind of stress in my life again," agreed Bunk. “I can think of a lot of ways I wish I'd done things differently so it wouldn't have been so messy…but I guess that's a whole 'live and learn' type of thing, isn't it?"

“I guess that's true. I didn't really know how to deal with the things we dealt with, either. But on the topic of dealing with things, it's time to deal with what's had your attention for the past couple hours. I know it's not nothing, you haven't been distracted like this in a long time."

Bunk nodded. “Yeah, I know. It's nothing bad, just something I wasn't really expecting. You saw that a message came through your phone earlier, right?"

“…It did? I didn't notice, I was too focused on the match."

“Well, I took a look at it, just in case it was important for some reason. And…well, it was from Kera."

Orion cocked his head. “Your sister, Kera? Wait, why does she have my phone number? Wait, how does she get ANYTHING to my phone?"

Bunk snickered. “Believe it or not, Orion, we DO have technology out there."

“That wasn't what I was trying to imply…it's more that they're on, you know, a whole goddamn different world."

“Look, I don't know the way it all works, I just know it does. And I gave her your number in case she needed to get in touch with us in an emergency. So you can imagine that was my first thought…but all she sent was that she was sending a message along. I'm not sure she totally understood what I meant by 'emergency use only.'"

Orion felt more confused by the moment. “Wait, so…she sent a message saying she was…sending a message? Why didn't she just…"

“Yeah, that's what I thought, too. That's why I didn't want to say anything earlier, because I didn't want to get you involved in a whole bunch of speculation before I actually knew anything, because I knew we'd come up with bad things if we did that. But when we got back, I saw what it was…it turns out, it's not quite accurate what she said, she wasn't sending a message so much as an invitation." Bunk held out the paper for Orion to look at; the human's eyes scanned it for a moment before it all clicked.

“Invitation to Dragon World for a Succession Ceremony? Wait, does this mean she's becoming the chief?"

“Yep. I guess she sent that text because she wasn't sure if we were at home or on a trip, she didn't want us to miss it. But yeah, the trials are over, it sounds like she completed all of them. And we're invited to go attend the festivities…" Bunk sighed. “Boy, I sure am looking forward to more embarrassing stories coming out about me…"

“Hey, what else is family for?" snickered Orion. “But at least they'll probably have a lot more to do, we won't be around them the whole time."

“Probably. Man…" Bunk sat down, leaning back, looking at the ceiling. “Hard to believe my sis's all grown up like that, moving into the chief's position…"

“You're not…second-guessing your decision not to do it, are you?" asked Orion tentatively.

“Nah. Wouldn't have been worth it, no shot. But…it does make me wonder where we're going. Like, we've been hot for a few years now, and it's been awesome, but that sort of thing never lasts forever, and I'm not sure I'd want to try to make it last forever anyway. What happens when we've decided enough is enough? Where do we go from there?"

That was a good question, and one Orion hadn't really thought about. “Huh…I guess you've got a point. I don't really think I've wanted to think too far forward…I mean, I want to enjoy what we've got right now, right? Especially if we're not going to have it forever."

“Right, I'm not saying we shouldn't try to keep going while the going's good. I love the run we've been having, for sure. But the time's gonna come…we should have ideas for what we're going to do when it does."

“I guess…though, I don't really know what I'd do, I honestly don't know a lot outside of buddyfights. I don't really think I'm that great at anything else, really."

“Well…" Bunk thought for a moment. “Maybe there's something you could do with that? Like, a trainer or something?"

“…I'm trying to picture myself as a coach or a trainer or something, and I'm not sure if I'd have the patience for that," chuckled Orion. “I feel like I'd get one little shit who thinks he's a hotshot and I'd get into screaming matches with him."

“C'mon, you're not THAT hot-headed," cackled Bunk. “I think you'd make a good coach! You're the one who comes up with a lot of our strategies, right? Just gotta teach people how to think the way you do."

“Oh, yeah, SO simple. What about you? I can't imagine you'll be sitting on the side making snarky comments the whole time…well, no, I COULD imagine that, but that wouldn't be a job."

“Nah, that would purely be a fun distraction for me. Hm, I don't know…it's a weirder situation for me, isn't it? I don't have a lot of examples to work off of…a lot of the dragons you see are in some kind of peacekeeping or other combat-oriented job, but…honestly, I don't think I'd be able to handle that kind of pressure and stress. I'm okay with making mistakes in stuff like buddyfights, but if someone's life might be on the line…"

Orion raised an eyebrow. “You're okay with mistakes in buddyfights? I might have some words about that."

“Tch. The worst that happens is that we lose a buddyfight. Some disappointment that we move on from. It's not like I TRY to make mistakes, you know."

“Right. Uh, so, what are you thinking about, then?"

Bunk went quiet for a moment, lost in thought. “I guess I need to spend more time really thinking about it, but…I think I might want to spend some time learning and tutoring about battle styles, too, from the other end of the equation. Helping other creatures and dragons think about how to approach their fights and pick a style that works for them…but that means I'll have to know more than just what I'm familiar with. Especially ones that don't rely on the Drill Ram Bunker…oh, jeez, yeah, I hadn't thought about that."

“Huh? What do you mean? You're great with that weapon, why would you want to switch tactics now?"

“It's a traditional weapon of the clan…and it's supposed to go to the chief."

“…Ohhhhh. You're supposed to give it to Kera. But that means…are you really going to…"

Bunk shook his head. “I'm not asking her to let me keep it. She deserves it, and I know she wanted to show what she could do with it, too. I'm just going to have to adapt…I can try to learn some of the other weapons our clan uses. I guess I'm gonna have to think about the future a little more close-term than you are, huh?"

Orion sighed a bit, but smiled at Bunk. “I'll help out however I can. I might not be able to teach you much about it, but I can help support you and get you learning…maybe some practice for coaching, I suppose. But let's, uh, table that for now, I think we need to get our plan together for this trip first. I'm assuming we're going, at least."

“Yeah, definitely. I wouldn't want to miss it…only wild card is whether Father's going to be sore about what happened back then. Kera says he's changed but you know how things like this can sometimes bring out things in people…"

“Ah, yes, the almighty 'things.' Wonderfully specific."

Bunk sat up and gave Orion a narrow-eyed look. “I'm starting to feel like your mouth could be doing something better than snarking at me."

“Oh, it probably can, but maybe I feel like using it to snark," replied Orion fearlessly, grinning at the dragon.

“Well, I think I'll have MY say in what you do with it, now!" A properly riled-up Bunk was definitely a good time, as far as Orion was concerned - and the dragon gave him a VERY good time…

---

Dragon World. It was a place Orion was not intimately familiar with. He'd been there only once before, excluding the time Drum had forcibly dragged him and Bunk there to settle some scores, which Orion was very insistently choosing not to count. The one actual visit had been a brief excursion with Bunk about a year ago, when his buddy was dealing with an illness that needed a specific medication; they'd hung out in one of the cities and not done a whole lot since Bunk wasn't feeling up to much, but he'd at least gotten a taste of what the world was like.

This was going to be quite different. The Drum Bunker Clan was situated near a much more rustic community, smaller and less built up, a lifestyle that Orion didn't really have experience with in any world. And they were going to be there for a while, not just for the ceremony but for several days before and after. The passage of time was a bit wonky between the worlds - it seemed to pass more slowly in one of the other worlds than in the normal world, yet things were never totally out of sync, either. So the weeklong vacation was going to feel like more than that, but as far as Orion was concerned, that was preferable; he didn't really get to get away that often. Of course, there was still the question of how he'd be able to handle it all…

Bunk didn't seem worried about that, though. “We'll find plenty to do, I'm sure. It's not exactly as busy as where we were before, but there's typically stuff going on, and we can make some of our own entertainment, too."

“Are you sure? You haven't been here in a while."

The dragon chuckled. “Things don't change much around the Drum Bunker Clan. A female chieftain is one of the most radical things to happen in ages, that's how static things are."

“I guess you'd know better than I would. Where are we going to be staying, anyway?"

“We'll be finding an open hut somewhere. There's a bunch of buildings used for guests, they're small but secure. And they won't feel that small to you, since they're built for someone around my size. Won't be a problem for me, though, since I'm used to your place."

Orion rolled his eyes. “Not my fault you don't go into that small form of yours."

“It feels weird. I like being my regular size."

“Yeah, but there aren't any buildings designed for guys your size. Well, not any places to live, at least."

“I'll deal. It's one discomfort or the other, I take the one I mind less."

It was a fairly long trek to the clan's grounds, long enough that even though they had arrived early in the day the sun had almost set by the time they reached them. Orion was quite glad that he kept himself in reasonably good shape, a journey like that probably would have been rough for someone not used to physical activity. But as they got within sight, his thoughts were much more on what he was seeing. A lot of old-style buildings, both small traditional huts and some larger buildings that seemed rustic if a touch more modern, several structures around that looked almost like restored ancient ruins, and a lot more open space than any city he'd ever lived in…this was not his element, and he knew it would be a bit of an adjustment. Bunk, on the other hand, seemed to fit right in…or at least he was trying to seem that way. Orion could tell Bunk was nervous, though, and he couldn't blame him. Having to pass on his weapon, questions about how he'd deal with Drum, it had to be weighing on him a bit. But he knew it was best not to press him, the more Bunk could try to block those things out the better off he would be.

By the time they reached the grounds, Bunk had taken the lead decidedly, Orion relying on him for navigation. And the first destination was a somewhat larger stone building with a lot of unusual decorations on it, both chiseled into the stone and painted or inked on top of it. The inside was humble yet impressive, the floor underneath them was a mix of natural grass and stone paths, and a lot of similar icons and pattern were along the walls as on the outside. Orion was tempted to ask whether there was any meaning to them, but Bunk had his sights set on something else - another dragon near the back, another one of the Drum Bunker clan by appearance. As they walked up near, the other dragon turned around and looked, and then gave them a wide grin - though, perhaps more directed at one than the other. “Hey! Look who finally decided to show their ugly mug around here again!"

“Hey, I had to make you look like the good-looking one somehow," cracked Bunk. “It's good to see you again, Kera."

“Same to you! Looks like life's been treating you pretty well, from what word reaches the clan." Kera turned her attention towards Orion, who just looked up at her, slightly uncertain what to say. She really did look very similar to Bunk, and to Drum…maybe it was just unfamiliarity with most of the clan, but Orion wasn't finding it easy to distinguish them. She was maybe colored a little lighter, had a slightly longer mane, and was a bit wider at the hips, but other than that she could have passed pretty well for Bunk. “And you must be Orion. From the way Father was yammering about you, I kinda expected someone bigger."

“Drum's been talking about me?"

“A good bit after Bunk beat him up, and then again recently. I don't know what his deal is, but you're in his good graces, so that's gotta count for something." Kera's grin widened, and Orion had the feeling something else was coming…and he wasn't disappointed. “And you must be a helluva piece of ass to get my wimpy brother tearing away from us just so he can keep fuckin' ya."

“Kera!" Bunk's face flushed almost to purple in an instant.

“Try to deny it, buster, it's not like it's hard to figure out. Just try to keep it down while you're around here, wake up any of the others when you're getting it on and they're gonna demand a piece of the action to make up for it."

“Any of them lays a hand on Orion and I'll hurl them into the sun."

“Aw. You're so adorable when you act all tough." Kera laughed a bit. “Especially towards someone who you ran to in tears after being spooked by shadows."

“Good to see that having responsibility hasn't made you any more of an adult," shot back Bunk, his face almost glowing now. “I was worried you might actually seem respectable and all that shit."

“I missed you too, brother. It's hard to keep people seeing me so highly without having such a great reference point, but I've managed somehow."

“Clearly not with your charm and maturity."

“Charm's overrated. I'd rather wield a big-ass weapon. Speaking of, you cleaned your face off of the Drill Ram Bunker before bringing it, right?"

“I've still got time to slam someone else's face on it."

It's times like this, thought Orion, that I wish I hadn't been an only child. It was a real struggle not to break out laughing at the sibling banter. As red as Bunk's face was, he seemed fairly relaxed…they probably razzed each other like this regularly back when they were living together. Probably in similar ways, even…Orion was well aware that Bunk had not been the most assertive or bold individual in the past, and probably got a lot of teasing about that, while he was sort of picking up that Kera had the kind of personality that seemed more 'big-sisterly' even though she was apparently the younger one. He'd never known that kind of relationship growing up…the closest he got was how he related to Bunk, and even that had a somewhat different flavor to it.

Of course, that wasn't the only family relationship they were going to encounter, and it seemed like they weren't going to have to wait around for that. “Well, well! Look who we have here!" Bunk jumped a bit as the booming voice of his father came from the doorway. “The wayward son returns!"

“Ah, father!" Bunk's nerves spiked a bit as Drum approached, but the elder dragon seemed much more relaxed than he had been before. “Of course I'm here, I wouldn't miss this! Also, do you have to be that loud? I'm pretty sure the entire town heard you."

“Well, why wouldn't I want to announce it to everyone? I'm happy to see you back! You're looking healthy, at least, but I expect to see what you've learned out in those challenges you've been up against! They say you've been winning some big tournaments, you're going to have to prove that to us all! Give your sister something to show her she can't be resting on her laurels, either, now that she's got all this responsibility coming!"

“Sure, father," Kera said with an eye roll. “Let's pretend I haven't busted my ass on these chieftain's trials for the last age and a half in front of everyone and their grandfather."

“Doesn't mean you can start slacking off now! Ah, Orion, I didn't mean to forget about you!" Orion was about to say that it was perfectly all right when Drum suddenly swept him up in a forceful hug, lifting him well off the ground and wrapping his arms so tight around the human that he couldn't help but gack. “It's wonderful seeing you again, finally getting a chance for you to see our clan properly! I'll make sure it's the best time you could imagine!"

“What the hell, father?!" Bunk burst out. “You're gonna crush him!"

“Ah, don't worry, he'll be fine!" Drum did ease up, though, making it easier for Orion to breathe, though his face was still not getting much distance from those impressive pecs.

“He gets that kind of greeting and I get a lecture?" Kera griped. “You don't get that excited when we've been apart for a while!"

“At least you're around more often, he hasn't seen me for just as long as Orion and I got a lecture too," groused Bunk.

“Ha ha! Sorry, I guess I'm just a bit excited!" Drum finally let Orion down. “But can I help it? It's an exciting reunion! The first human to really stand up to me and put me in my place deserves a bit of extra respect, doesn't he?"

“I didn't, phoo, realize I'd made that much impression on you," panted Orion.

“Certain things in life you don't forget, and you were especially memorable," replied Drum with a laugh. “Ah, I suppose I should ease up a bit…for now, anyway. It's a time of celebration! There'll be plenty of time to get these two buckling back down afterwards. But come on, you two, let's get you settled in! I've made sure you're set up in the best accommodations we have to offer!"

“Er, yeah, that sounds like a good idea." Bunk's voice betrayed a bit of uncertainty - there was something odd about the way they'd been greeted, though he couldn't quite place what that was. “We HAVE been walking pretty much the whole day."

“Then come, come! Let me show you there." Drum swept and arm out and beckoned them to follow, which they did. Orion was feeling pretty similar to Bunk, it seemed like a very strange introduction, particularly to him…he'd expected a bit more attention to Bunk than that. Kera, perhaps not, since she'd certainly been around much more…was there still some lingering tension between Drum and Bunk? But as they exited and saw the start of the moon glowing overhead, he decided maybe tonight wasn't the time to address that. There would be plenty of time to figure things out…

He had no way to realize that it wasn't going to be much of a mystery to him for long - or expect what it was that would be behind it all…

---

The next few days seemed to be flying by. The entire town was bustling, preparing for the big event of the ascension ceremony - or perhaps more so the festival that was surrounding it. The ceremony itself was only going to be a quick thing, but apparently the dragons were quite eager to take any good chance to party, and there was supposed to be a whole big festival lasting a few days from the day of the ceremony. Thankfully, they didn't have to do anything for this festival themselves - Bunk and Orion were largely there as guests, and could merely relax and enjoy themselves.

At least, that was the plan. But Bunk wasn't enjoying himself as much as he would have liked.

It started seemingly innocently enough. Drum coming up to them not long after they'd woken up that first morning and were just getting out and about, insisting on speaking with Orion - alone. Bunk wanted to know why, Drum didn't want to tell him, and Orion had gone along with it, though clearly he'd been just as confused by it all. It left Bunk wondering what the heck was going on, why Drum would have any real interest in talking alone with Orion, there didn't seem to be any real reason for that…and that only got worse when Orion finally came back a while later, and when Bunk asked what Drum had wanted to talk to him about, had given some vague, unconvincing excuse about it being about his opinion on festival preparations. Something that Bunk was certain couldn't possibly be true, but Orion wasn't telling him anything more…he wondered if it was just something that he didn't want to talk about in public, and maybe he'd say something later when they weren't at risk of being overheard, though he couldn't imagine Drum entrusting anything THAT secret to Orion so randomly.

But not only had that not been the case, it hadn't been the last time. In fact, over that day and the next two, Drum had approached Orion close to a dozen times, each time wanting to talk to the human privately, each time Orion eventually going with him and leaving Bunk to fret, which he did more and more each time. Orion seemed to be getting annoyed with the interruptions, but he wasn't doing anything to stop him…and neither Drum nor Orion would tell him what was going on. Orion would come up with various excuses, none of them being remotely believable, and whenever Bunk asked about it when they were alone Orion would just tell him he didn't want to talk about it at the moment, with firm enough insistence that Bunk didn't feel like he could push it any further. He didn't want to make Orion unhappy, but at the same time, he was starting to get unhappy himself.

A lot of bad scenarios were coming to mind. Was Drum trying to involve Orion in some kind of family prank to embarrass him in front of everyone? It wouldn't be past his father to do something like that, he was certain, Drum wasn't mean-spirited but he didn't always seem to 'get' how Bunk could feel after things like that. Or was Drum trying to pressure Orion into changing things at the last moment? Trying to push him away from Bunk so that he could pull the rug out from under him and tell him it was actually HIM being made the chief, against his will, separating him forcibly from Orion like he had tried to back then…Drum hadn't given him any hint about that, but one never knew. Or…even worse, the way Drum had started acting towards Orion, was he…trying to SEDUCE his mate? Goad him into taking on the more mature dragon and leaving Bunk alone? He would have smelled it if anything like that had actually happened already, but that didn't mean Drum wasn't trying to MAKE it happen…

It was the fourth night in the village when he finally couldn't take it anymore. Drum had dragged Orion away for the fifth time that day, and just as they were about to head back inside and spend some quality time together, too…Bunk had been told to go back ahead, and he couldn't help but pace around nervously, waiting for Orion and hoping there was nothing going on, all while paranoid thoughts kept racing through his head. By the time Orion came through the door, Bunk knew he couldn't keep this up, or he might just not make it through this whole trip.

“You okay, Bunk?" Orion was asking as innocently as if nothing had happened. Bunk wished this would put him at ease.

“No…I'm really not. I'm kind of stressed out."

“I guess a lot's going on, huh?" Orion rubbed his dragon's arm, trying to settle him down. “Well, maybe I can help you relieve some of that stress. Wouldn't mind helping get you settled down, however it would help."

Bunk squeezed his eyes shut, and then opened them again. “However it would help, huh? Well, what would really help is knowing what the heck is going on with you and Father."

Orion started a bit. “Well…that's…just him asking for some advice. I don't really think I should say anything more than that."

“Why…why can't you tell me more? What's going on, Orion?" Bunk was anything but calmed by that. “I know Father as well as anyone, there's no way he's just looking for input on festival stuff, he doesn't care that much about how they prepare anything, he only cares about his part and I know he's got that all figured out. What's actually going on?"

Whether it was because of the pushiness or Bunk's agitation, Orion did not look comfortable. “It's nothing that serious, Bunk. This isn't really any of your business, it's a personal thing between me and him, you don't have to get involved."

For Orion, it was intended to put Bunk at ease, assure him that it had nothing to do with him…but Bunk took it the exact opposite way. Orion not telling him what was going on only further convinced him something bad was happening and Orion was trying to keep it from him. “What do you mean, a personal thing?! What's he doing? Is he trying to get at me through you?!"

“No!" Orion replied, somewhat defensively. “It's really not about you, I just don't think it's something you need to know!"

“Why not?! If he's trying to do something to get to me…or to you! What, is he trying to take you from me?! The way he was acting before, greeting you the way he did…has he been trying to take you for himself?!"

“Bunk, come on! I'm your partner, I wouldn't be doing anything with him! You're bering ridiculous, nothing like that is happening!"

“How do I know that? You won't tell me anything! All you do is get dragged off with him time and time again and tell me nothing about what he's actually doing with you, and I can't imagine him doing anything good with you! All he's ever tried to do with me is push me into the future he wants me to take, and now he's trying to go after you because you stood in the way of that-"

“It's nothing like that!"

“Then tell me what it is!"

“Why is it that important?!" yelled Orion. “We've been together for years now, and you're suddenly getting all freak-out on me? Why can't you just trust me?!"

“Because this isn't how you act, Orion!" Bunk shouted back. “You're never like this! You shoot so fucking straight it might as well be line-guided! You can be at your drunkest and you'll still say anything and everything you want to say, I've been on the other end of that! You don't HIDE anything, Orion, so when you start to do that, what the hell do you think I should think?! And here of all places?! With HIM of all people?! How can I not be terrified of what it could mean?!"

There was an uncomfortable silence as those words hung heavy over Orion. Slowly he was starting to pick up on what was really going on…what he thought had been just nosiness wasn't that at all, Bunk was more anxious being here than he was letting on. Even after everything that had happened, he still must have really feared that the rug was somehow going to pulled out from under him…especially with the way Drum was acting, to Bunk still far out of the norm, trying to pull the person he was closest to away from him time and time again for who knew what purpose…Orion hadn't even thought about how that must look, because he knew what it was about, and he didn't have the long history with Drum that Bunk did.

There was only one way to properly fix this…he had to bend on this.

“Bunk…I'm sorry. I…I didn't realize how this was affecting you. It didn't occur to me that you might still be…worried about what might be going on with him. I guess I thought you'd considered it all resolved."

Hearing that got Bunk to settle down a bit. “It's never that easy…I know I got his blessing, but…I still can't help but feel like he's not done. He's always been pretty intent on getting things to happen the way he wants them to, and…well, if he had something like that up his sleeve, he's had years to plan. I mean, it was weird enough that he greeted you like an old friend when he only met you once a few years back, you've barely even talked to each other."

“Well…that's…not entirely true."

Bunk did a double-take, staring at Orion. “…W…what?"

Orion took a deep breath. It was all coming out now, but for Bunk's sake… “Drum has been focused on something for a good long while, yeah…but it's not about you. See…about a year after we all had that, uh, confrontation, Drum…he contacted me. Asked me not to tell you because he was worried about how you might react to it. He wanted…help."

“Help? How…how? Don't take this the wrong way, but…what could you possibly help him with?"

“Heh, it sounds weird, right? But, what I could help him with is…communication. Drum…wanted to get back in touch with Gao."

Bunk blinked blankly. “His…his old buddy? He wanted to…huh?"

“Is it really that surprising? You remember what I said to him, right?"

“Yeah, I mean, of course I do. But I didn't think…I mean, he even said Gao was married and all, and had a kid. I thought he'd just…you know…"

Orion shrugged. “Well, it did take him a year or so, so he might've been thinking that at first. But when he did…he was able to find Gao on his own, but he was…nervous about talking to him. And he wanted advice from me on what to say and how to say it. And, well, I thought that was kind of odd because Drum knows Gao better than I ever will, I figured he'd be able to say what he wanted to say just fine. But, well, I didn't want to create any friction by saying no, especially since he seemed kinda desperate, so…I've been helping him with that. I've been helping him create his messages to Gao ever since then. Maybe once or twice a month most months."

Of all the things Bunk could have thought (or feared) were going on, this wasn't even on the list. It was almost enough to make him wonder if Orion was being truthful about it…but, this would be a bizarre lie to make up, as well. Bizarre enough that he couldn't believe it to be a ruse. “Why didn't you tell me before?"

“Well, I mean, in the first place, Drum asked me not to. He didn't want anyone else finding out, I think because it kinda, uh, embarrassed him that he was so nervous about it. And…well, I was worried about making you feel anxious that I was in touch with him, since you two haven't exactly gotten on the best. And as you just established, I'm not exactly good at weaving around direct statements, so just never letting you know was easier than trying to come up with excuses."

“Oh…so I've, uh, probably put you on a weird spot…"

Orion shook his head. “It's more his fault than yours. I TOLD him several times that you were going to get suspicious about him pulling me away all the time, that he had to knock it off if he wanted to keep it a secret, but the paranoid dingus just can't seem to rein it in. Like, no wonder you haven't tried to talk to him in ages if you're falling to pieces like this…"

“Falling to pieces? What's going on?"

“It's not that complicated, really…Gao's coming."

Bunk blinked a bit. “He is? And…that's got father in that kind of lather?"

“It really shouldn't, but good luck making him see that." A sigh left Orion's lips. “Drum thought that the ceremony would be a good excuse to invite Gao to the village. Since becoming chief himself was what caused his departure, passing on that mantle was some kind of fitting excuse for a reunion, something like that. I told him he didn't NEED an excuse to want to see an old friend, but…well, that's beside the point. To make a long story short, Gao accepted. He's supposed to be coming soon, and Drum's flipping out."

“I…can't imagine Father 'flipping out' like that. He rarely lost his cool…really the only times I saw him get really angry were…well, the whole business with me not wanting to be chief, really. Why is he that anxious about seeing Gao? I thought they were really close!"

Orion hesitated, not sure if this was something that Drum would really want spread around, but the time for keeping the veil in place seemed long gone at this point. “Try not to let on that I told you this…basically, Drum feels like it's his 'last chance.'"

“Last chance?"

“To tell Gao how he really feels about him. To tell him that he WANTS him, you know? And he's terrified that he's going to say the wrong thing and ruin everything, and that Gao will hate him and want nothing to do with him. Like, I don't really know Gao at all, okay, but that seems really unlikely to me, but Drum just can't get it out of his head that he's walking on eggshells. And he's been yanking me aside asking me about all sorts of things he's thought about saying…most of which sound perfectly fine to me, but he gets antsy about them and scraps it all and starts over…" Another sign from Orion as he rubbed his head. “Honestly, I'll be glad when this is over, I'm getting just a little tired of it."

“So he's losing his cool over trying to figure out what to tell the human he's stupid hot for…" Bunk was rubbing his head, too; this just seemed far too weird for him, his father acting so differently from how he'd always seen him. And then there was the other thing… “So why the hell is he going to YOU? You'd think he'd ask, I dunno, a dragon he might know that managed to actually get into a relationship like that."

“Er…well, you know…he didn't want to lose even more face in front of you, right? You already took him to task over him getting on your case for going after the guy you loved, he was going to look even more foolish asking you for help with his. And, well, you just don't, uh, hear about dads coming to their kids for advice, it's supposed to be the other way around…especially for that sorta thing, I think he probably didn't want to make things awkward like that."

Bunk gave Orion a look. “Yeah, I suppose those all make sense. So what's the reason you're NOT telling me?"

“I can't get anything past you, can I?" Orion groaned a bit. “Yeah, okay, just…don't take this the wrong way, but…after everything that happened between the three of us? Drum sees me as the 'dominant' one of the two of us."

“What?! Hang on a second! He thinks YOU'RE the dom?!"

“Try not to act THAT offended," the human fired back with a smirk. “After all, mister 'I enjoy being tied up and controlled,' you're clearly NOT always the one on top here."

Bunk sputtered a bit, turning red. “Well, y-yeah, okay, that's, uh, that's true, but, that's…he shouldn't THINK that's the case! Besides, I dom more often than you do!"

A cackle from the human. “True, but I didn't make him see it that way! Well, not intentionally, at least. I think he has a hard time imagining that someone that could stop him cold could ever be yielding, especially with…well, look, he's seen a lot more of your, uh…you know, other sides of you…"

Bunk tched. “Yeah, yeah, I get it…he knows all the embarrassing stories about me. Rrgh…well…I guess it doesn't matter that much, I doubt anything's gonna change his mind now. I'm just glad…it's not what I thought it might be. I thought he was trying to go at you to break it off with me since he didn't win against me…"

“You didn't really think I'd cave that easily to him, did you?"

“No! I was more worried about what would happen when he realized that…you're a lot squishier than I am, and he beat me down pretty hard. I just wish I'd known, then I wouldn't have been stressing out so much…"

“You're right." Orion leaned in and embraced Bunk, as best he could given their size difference; the dragon wrapped his arms around his buddy as well, holding him tight. “I'm sorry. I should have seen that you were getting upset and at least done something to reassure you that it was all right…maybe I should've just told you from the start, that might've been better, but I don't know."

“Well…I understand, I guess, but I think I'd rather have known. At least then I would've had an idea why you were being pulled away now. I don't know if I would've liked it, but I would've been ready."

“I understand. I suppose I should probably do something to make it up to you. When we get back, I'll figure something out. Though I have to admit I'm not really very, uh, experienced with that kinda thing…"

Bunk pulled away a bit, looking down at Orion, a sly grin forming on his face. “Why wait until then? I think you can 'apologize' to me pretty easily right now."

“Uh? Really? How…" Orion paused as he caught the scent in the air. “Ah…Bunk, I, uh, I'm always game to rut, but I don't know that that's really, uh, qualifies as an apology…"

“That's just going to be part of it," growled the dragon suggestively. “After all, what I was worried about was that maybe my mate was going to be taken from me, or straying away…I think it would only be appropriate if your apology was helping reassure me of your dedication to me…"

Orion wasn't entirely sure where this was going…but he had an inkling. “Bunk…uhm…if that's what you want…I'll be happy to give it to you…"

“Perfect. And I know just the place…"

---

Orion was rather thankful that the hour was fairly late and many of the dragons were either bedding down or occupied with enjoying themselves at one of the local establishments. Otherwise it might have been an even more awkward scene being carried completely naked by Bunk to the location he had in mind. Trying to get out of it now would leave him completely vulnerable to anyone he passed by, in a strange place where the denizens were generally around twice his height and he already knew a few of them would be interested in taking advantage of an opportunity. He'd seen a few of the looks he'd gotten…

As it turned out, the 'seclusion' wasn't exactly complete. Bunk had taken him to a dome-shaped rock with a single opening that was definitely close to, if not actually in the village; it had a very spartan appearance on the outside that Orion had initially thought was just a big rock they hadn't tried to move out of the way. But it was pretty apparent once inside that this was no mere obstruction, there was a purpose to it - there was a hollowed-out chamber within with some glowing stones providing dim light, a few pieces of wooden furniture here and there including what looked like a desk and a table and several chairs, and even something that could be used as a bed. Bunk wasn't taking any interest in those, though, instead finding a good spot against the wall to put himself and pin Orion. “Heh, always thought this place was kinda useless…never had need for a 'study room' that wasn't right at home. But I like THIS use of it…"

“Ah…we…couldn't have…just, ah, stayed back there?" asked Orion, trying to find some purchase on the rock with his hands and getting nothing useful. It wasn't completely smoothed rock but there weren't a lot of cracks or outcroppings.

“Nope. I'm making a mess I don't have to clean up. And it's too cosy there…in here, it's rough, just like I'm gonna be. And you're gonna be breathless from yelling out how much you want me and how I belong to you, loud as you want."

“Ah…that…we're not…nearly far enough away…someone's gonna hear us…" It wasn't easy to speak with a rather sizable erection poking right at his rear end, though Orion knew it was far harder to speak with it inside. The still air inside the cavern made Bunk's musk linger even heavier in the air around them, and it was clear the dragon wasn't the only one standing at full mast…though it was harder to see Orion's with how close to the rock it was.

“Let them. Just'll let them know that you're nice and taken. Keep them from getting any ideas that they can have you for themselves…rrr, you're mine and I'm gonna make sure everyone knows it, you most of all."

Orion shivered a bit; Bunk could be aggressive whenever he was in charge of things, but this was a bit of a new level. Not that Orion could say he minded it, he just wasn't sure what the dragon had in mind. “Ah, well…you can say it all you want, but I think showing me would make more of an impression, don't you?"

“Damn right." And he was definitely showing, right from the start, with that hard shove into Orion, making the human cry out as he was stretched out rather fiercely, even a harder entry than normal. The dragon didn't really hold back much on him anymore, at least not when he wasn't trying to do something tamer or or more 'romantic,' so Orion was more than used to Bunk's fervor by this point…but now he was wondering if there wasn't even another level that Bunk had to give, with the raw force he was hammering away at Orion with. His fingers clawed at the rock in front of him, seeking stability they couldn't find, leaving him utterly at Bunk's mercy.

And Bunk was being especially merciless this time, growling deeper and louder than he usually did, and being particularly forceful on his thrusts, like he was trying to get Orion's voice to ring all throughout the village from just that little secluded cavern. Orion quickly found himself running out of breath, but Bunk wasn't giving him much time to reclaim it, forcing it out as soon as Orion caught a wisp. It wasn't long before the human's head was spinning, and that wasn't helped by the feeling of his cockhead brushing against the rock wall here and there, getting a swipe of somewhat rough friction that was only barely attenuated by the leaky precum drooling from the tip and smearing all over the stone.

Bunk was very much enjoying the sight of Orion's overload and the feeling of the human squirming helplessly in his arms, but he was intent on adding to that in some pretty forceful ways. Orion let out a sudden gasp and a louder, higher cry as Bunk's claws scratched against him, not hard enough to bloody him but enough to leave red marks across his skin, as he dragged his hot tongue against the back of the human's neck. “That's right, let it all out, let every dragon around know you're being ravaged and conquered, they'll come smell my scent and know exactly who owns you." There was an excitement in Bunk's growl, this disinhibited rutting was making the adrenaline pump through him as well, letting him slam in harder and jerk out more forcefully, putting that well-worn asshole to the test.

A test Orion was passing, but it sure felt like more of a task than usual. He was almost trying to speak up, to cry out Bunk's name, but couldn't manage to get it out, couldn't even get his mouth properly closed as he rang his wauls to the stony ceiling above him. That thickness stretching him out so much, punishing him so deep, battering his prostate to the edge, the hot liquid seeping through his body, sloppily drooling down onto the ground underneath him, filling him up nice and deep…the knot smacking wetly against his ass, demanding entrance that it would eventually have, making him stretch even more, his protesting hole being slowly mauled into compliance…those sharp claws raking against his skin, marring him temporarily but feeling especially harsh under the dominating fuck he was getting...the slowly diminishing air in his lungs making his head whirl ever more, making it almost as tough to get a breath as when Bunk worked his throat…Bunk was going all out on him, for sure, and it was such a RUSH, Orion could feel his heart thudding fiercely inside him, only barely able to keep up with the demand.

It was too much too quickly, and Orion didn't take long to yield his climax, surrendering to the dragon and letting his voice loose as he burst in splatters against the rock in front of him, getting some droplets of splashback against his body when Bunk pushed forward, most of it painting the rock and being spread around when his throbbing boner made contact. Yet, Bunk didn't even pause, continuing to hump into Orion as that ass spasmed around his thick tool, pushing the human to the limit and then beyond…just when Orion was at his tightest, a tight grab and fierce pull brought that knot popping into the human, and then Orion's eyes bugged out as he felt Bunk's fangs come down and BITE onto his shoulder, latching on just barely loose enough to not pierce in but more than tight enough that any sudden movement risked changing that. That was NOT part of their normal repertoire…

But it was what he was getting, and he had no choice but to take it as Bunk started to knot-fuck him, ruining his asshole once again with his savage yanks and pops and slams. Orion's cries had pretty much been exhausted, his voice barely able to produce sound with so little breath coming in, especially with the dragon's cock putting an excess of pressure on him. His orgasm had finally abated but he was still rock-hard, and Bunk wasn't letting him relax and recharge, intent on pushing him back over the edge far too quickly, another layer of overwhelming that he was laying on to show Orion the totality of his power and passion.

In, out, that knot was making so much noise, pulling at Orion ruthlessly until he gave in and then driving forth until he did again, that flesh slowly getting a little more pliable each time but not capable of yielding more than a modest little bit. Fangs and claws marked up the human more, leaving impressions that would last beyond their coupling, further proof of who he belonged to, or under. Orion eventually ceded to being little more than a rag doll for Bunk to rut, his energy being overspent and leaving him to just ride out the storm, knowing that he wouldn't be doing anything else that night for sure except for sleeping. He was almost delirious by then, wasn't so sure he wasn't just going to conk out in the middle of the fuck…

But finally, Bunk's knot sank in and stayed in, and that maw released him to let out a loud roar that echoed through the cave, and Orion felt that thick, hot gush of dragon spunk flood his body once more. Bunk's clawed hand swiped down to the human's cock and pumped it the rest of the way to its own, second finish, though Orion barely had anything to offer, mere droplets to the dragon's deluge, his exhausted ass letting even a little bit of it leak past the knot, though not nearly enough to relieve the building pressure inside him. All Orion could do was pant, moan, and squirm wearily, savoring Bunk's offering to him as it warmed him from the inside out, trying to relieve the weariness just a little bit, though not meeting with terribly much success.

Bunk's tongue went to Orion's shoulder, licking at the marks it left…no blood, and they would fade eventually, but they were satisfying to see and feel nonetheless. The scratches would probably be visible for a little longer, but they too would go away given a little time. “Mrrr…if they don't see it on you, they're gonna smell it on you…they'll know exactly who you belong to."

All Orion could do was nod wearily, chest still heaving as he tried to recover precious air, even if it was thoroughly suffused with Bunk's musk. He was far too exhausted to do much more, and his erection had surrendered, putting an end to his lust for the night. He hoped they didn't have to get up too early the next morning, because he was probably going to need to sleep in for quite a while…but it was more than worth it, to make sure Bunk was relieved and happy, and to make up for his errors.

---

Thankfully, neither Bunk nor Orion was too worn out for the next day's festivities, which mainly centered on the official passing of the mantle and drill ram to the new chief. As Bunk was being tasked with the latter, he needed to be right in the front and center of the actual ceremony - something that made him a touch nervous and a little wistful, as Orion caught him looking at the weapon with a touch of sadness.

“Like losing a good friend, right?"

“Er…well, close enough. It's been something I've gotten so familiar with, and I really didn't realize I'd be handing it off…but it's all right. Styles can be changed."

“I'm sure you'll be fine. Skilled as you are, you'll pick up something soon enough." Orion gave Bunk a peck on the arm. “Besides, I know one weapon you can drill and ram with perfectly fine already."

“Pfft. I'd hardly call that a weapon."

“For someone my size? Trust me, if I was swinging that thing around they'd call me armed and dangerous."

Bunk covered his face. “You just had to give me that mental image so soon before the ceremony, didn't you?"

“Absolutely! Now you're feeling as awkward as possible, it can only go up from there!"

Bunk didn't really think it worked that way, but at the very least, he managed to recover his composure in the hours leading up to the ceremony. There was a good bit of hustle and bustle going on, including a whole festival grounds that had been popped up in the middle of the field outside the town. It had all sorts of things - plenty of food, vendors selling their sometimes strange and unusual wares (to Orion, they weren't nearly as foreign to Bunk), leisure activities and games, and plenty of crowds. In one area, there was a ring with a wrestling competition going on - two dragons at once, trying to pin each other, in nothing but their bare scales, putting on a nice show for all the watchers. In another, there was a brew tent where lots of dragons were partaking in some fairly potent alcoholic beverages, some of them getting pretty heavily soused and acting rather crazy. Orion had to stay a fair bit away from this, as he was considerably smaller and squishier than the usual customer. Still, he was able to enjoy pretty much everything else, and even Bunk was able to forget his anxieties for a bit and get into the mood - though he adamantly refused to participate in the wrestling despite Orion's cheeky prodding.

It seemed like the day passed at lightning speed, at least to Bunk, and as the sun was setting and starting to turn the sky orange, he made his way over to the ceremony temple, where other dragons had started to mass. With such beautiful weather, everything was being done outside in the front, and Kera and Drum were already in position, each looking a little bit nervous. Bunk could see Drum's gaze casting around, like he was looking for someone…Bunk at least now had an idea of who that someone was. He'd seen Drum pestering Orion a couple more times during their time at the festival, but not nearly as often as the previous days - perhaps Orion was trying to enforce some space for Bunk's sake, or maybe Drum was just too busy to be hunting the human down. He tried not to think too much of these instances, now knowing the real reason behind him, but there was still a small part of him that got nervous…perhaps once the ceremony was done, that would be past. He would no longer have to fear the responsibility he had never wanted, it would be in someone else's hands, and his life wouldn't have that cloud hanging over him. Maybe that was why he was less nervous than Drum or Kera, because despite having to give up his weapon, he was gaining something much more important.

“You seem happy." Bunk looked over at Orion, and did a sudden double-take. Orion wasn't dressed how he normally was…instead, he had on a silky vermilion robe that hung close to his body, held closed by a sash around his waist, something he'd never seen before in the human's wardrobe. “What in the world are you wearing?"

“Bought it at the festival." Orion adjusted the robe a bit, still getting a bit used to it. “I thought it looked nicer, and I was already feeling weird about showing up in street clothes to something like this. Was surprised that I found something my size, I guess sometimes they're gifts to humans?"

“Something like that, probably…" Bunk felt the heat rising in his face as he noticed something. “You…aren't wearing anything under that, are you?"

“Should I be?" Orion asked in an innocent yet not so innocent voice. “It's just so warm out, I figured it'd probably be more comfortable just in this…"

“Mmrph…maybe if enough blood goes to my face none'll be left for somewhere more embarrassing…" Bunk was trying very hard not to think about how easy it would be to see all of Orion in very short order, he did not want to have to hide a boner during the passing ceremony. Fortunately, he had a bit of time to compose himself, as more of the dragons milled into the throngs in front of the temple, eventually making it look like it was impossible to leave.

Finally, Drum cleared his throat, and the chatter slowly abated as he stood tall in front of them. All eyes went to him…though Drum's eyes were elsewhere, at first, scanning over the crowd. Bunk could see a bit of discontent in them…he tried to make a surreptitious look of his own. He wasn't seeing Gao, but with so many dragons clustered so close together, a human would easily be lost in them, even from a better vantage point like they had.

Eventually Drum spoke up. “My fellow dragons…I have lead you for a long time, and I have enjoyed it from start to finish. I could scarcely consider myself more honored for having been standing in front of you for all these years. But all things must move forward, and the time has come for me to relinquish the mantle, as all those before me have done through the trials of succession. Yet, even for a time-honored tradition that spans centuries, there are new steps to be taken. Standing here before you is a paradigm breaker of the most amazing kind. We have had many fine individuals take the trials of succession over the decades, but never have we had the honor of a female chieftain before. But there can be no doubt, her aptitude stands with the very best, and she has done everything and more to earn the mantle. Kera, by the honor given to me by my position, to be henceforth turned over to you: I bestow upon you the title of Chieftain of the Drum Bunker Clan."

There was a good deal of cheering by the dragons in the crowd, enthusiastically supporting their new chief. For the first time, Kera looked a little bit overcome by the emotion, but she didn't let it stop her from acknowledging the crowd with a beaming smile and a bow.

Now it was Bunk's turn, and he stepped up with the Drill Ram Bunker. “Kera…as chieftain of the Drum Bunker clan, it is your honor and birthright to carry our signature and most renowned emblem of its power. The one true Drill Ram Bunker, the honor and pride of our clan, shall be yours to command as long as you hold it. I have no doubt you will wield it with skill, courage, and tenacity. May it ever strike true within your hands." Orion could tell Bunk was putting forth a very concerted effort not to let emotion get to him, either, and from his view the dragon was doing a pretty good job as the weapon left his hands for the final time. Kera held it up for all to see, earring a renewed round of cheering.

Drum turned and addressed everyone. “With this, the succession is now official. Answer to her as you answered to me, and show her how you hold to the way of the Drum Bunker!"

A final cheer went up from the watching dragons, a hail to their new chief which brought a bit of a tear to her eye. Drum clapped her on the back. “Well, don't keep them waiting, chief, go and revel with them. You've earned it, and there won't be nearly so many chances to kick back for a while, trust me on this one!"

“Thanks, Father." With a nod to him and to Bunk, Kera descended towards the gathered crowd and started to mingle with them as they headed back towards the festival. Orion expected to go along with them, but looking over at Drum's face, he had to pause…there was something heavier in his expression than he expected. He poked at Bunk, who looked over curiously and saw the same thing…they didn't have to exchange a word as they headed over to him.

Drum seemed to snap out of a trance as they arrived. “Oh, you two…aren't you going to enjoy the festival? I'm sure I've pestered you enough…"

“We'll get there," Orion said. “Are you okay? Everything seemed to go fine as far as I could tell…what's the matter?"

Drum shook his head. “It's nothing…just my own foolishness. I should've expected…"

“Expected? Huh?" It took a moment, but it clicked for Orion. “Oh…wait, Gao didn't show up?"

“I didn't see him. I was looking in the crowd the whole time, but…well, I suppose he had other things going on. He's a pretty busy guy, after all…"

“Not so busy I can't be there for my old buddy." Drum wheeled around, and everyone else turned to see the legendary figure of Gao Mikado standing not far away. Older now than the image so many had of him back in the day of his greatest recognition, but still possessed of a vitality that was clear from his face and the way he held himself. Though he wasn't terribly large, he had a presence about him that made him seem bigger than he was, particularly the longcoat he was wearing.

“Gao! Y-you made it!" Drum seemed to be caught between shock and joy. “But I didn't see you out there! I thought…I thought you weren't going to…"

“Heh…well, I might've gotten caught up in a traffic a little more than I expected. But I did see that ceremony…it was very well done. I just had a different seat - I couldn't have been out there among all those guys, I'd never have seen a thing!"

“Oh…I guess that's true…" Drum took a deep breath, letting it out and smiling warmly at Gao. “It's…it's really good to see you again."

“Yeah…same to you, buddy," Gao replied, his expression also softening to something very earnest. Even just a quick look between the two told Orion that there was definitely something under the surface there…the question was whether it would decide to come out into the open.

---

If it was, it was taking its sweet time getting there. The two were catching up, slowly but surely, as they sat on a hill a bit of a distance away from where the ceremony had taken place, a little private spot surrounded by trees and bushes and at least somewhat secluded, unless one was looking up the hill at them. No one was liable to do that at the moment, though, most everyone was busy at the festival, where it was getting more raucous and the drink was flowing much more freely. So it was just the two of them…and Orion and Bunk hiding in the bushes, only to intervene if things looked like they were totally crashing and burning. It hadn't gotten to that point at least, but Orion was really hoping Drum would just run with it once he finally got settled into the conversation. He didn't want to have to try to guide things along, Gao would almost certainly notice that and it would risk spoiling the whole mood.

“It really has been too long since I was last here…" Gao said wistfully, looking out over the setting-sun horizon, the brilliant hues of the sky lit up as the orb itself slowly inched down to its nightly rest. “Almost forgot how beautiful it could be. I guess that's what happens when life gets busy - you have to make time for those moments or you forget what they're like."

“Yeah…that's true, I guess…" Drum looked away briefly, trying to hide his flustered expression. His mind was trying to scramble for something to come up with in response to that - everything Orion had told him to talk about was suddenly impossible to think of. “I, uh, guess I…don't really notice it as much? I'm here all the time, so it's just…kind of a normal thing for me. I guess when you spent a lot more time out in a more remote town, you get used to all the natural sights and everything…but I also remember what it's like to miss it when you don't have it, too."

“Oh? And here I thought you'd be far too busy wrangling a tribe of dragons to spend any time appreciating sunsets," poked Gao playfully.

“Ahah…that does NOT leave a lot of free time, to be sure! Always a lot to do, gotta settle fights, keep everything running, make all the important decisions…not to mention being the champion trainer of the entire clan, making sure they all perform up to their potential! But I guess a lot of it can be done outside…or HAS to be done outside, even, so I still get to see 'em quite a lot. They're, uh, also good for keeping time, if they gotta finish something before sunset, right?"

“I suppose so." Gao gave Drum a coy smile. “But something tells me you didn't just summon me here to talk about sunsets. Though, even if you did, it's still a nice break for me."

“Ah…I, uh, not really, no, though…I don't mind it, just…sorry. I'm…it's been so long…" Drum was sweating hard now, clearly struggling to come up with the words. “I guess it's just…hard, you know, to know what to say, when you've wanted to say so much for so long…I've missed you a lot, is what I'm saying."

“Aw. I've missed you, too." Gao leaned into Drum, patting him a bit. “It has been a long time, hasn't it? I guess that's what having busy lives gets you…I suppose we should've come up with a way of staying in touch, but back then, I wasn't really thinking that much about it. Seems like you've been doing well for yourself, though, keeping the village going, keeping everything in line…it looks really good around here, clearly you did everything you needed to do. And maybe you'll be less busy now that you've passed the mantle on."

“Mm, yeah, I suppose that'll be true…I never really thought about what I'd do afterwards, I had enough to do that I couldn't really think about it." Drum sighed a bit wistfully. “It's been rewarding, for sure. Being able to follow in my father's footsteps, having a nice big family, being a respected leader and helping keep my clan's traditions alive and navigating this changing world…I don't have any regrets, but…" Drum paused, hesitating, before saying it. “Sometimes I wonder what it would've been like if I'd stayed with you instead. What would've happened if I'd taken a different path. What it would've been like if it had been us together the whole time."

“Hm, I think everyone wonders that from time to time. I've thought about it here and there, too, what might've happened if we'd stayed together. Not that I regret anything either…I never thought I'd see myself with a wife and kid, and a life that's constantly packed with all the excitement I could hope for. But sometimes I wonder what it would've been like if we'd just stayed the course, just the two of us…heh, though, I think Bal and Batzz might've had a few things to say about that."

“Oh, yeah…uh, how are…they doing?"

Gao gave a slight shrug. “I don't really know…I haven't been that much more in contact with them since the last time I saw you. Life keeps me really busy. But yeah, if we'd stayed together…man, I can't even imagine what it would've been like for anyone to try to go up against us. We probably would've been legendary buddyfighters, the longer we went on the better we would've gotten, maybe to the point where next to no one could take us down, and everyone's ambition would've been to get the better of us…heh, I guess that would've been pretty nice, too. Even if it would have derailed a lot of other stuff."

“Yeah…"

“But…" Drum looked down at Gao, who was staring off into the distance wistfully. “Even when I was working with others…I still missed you a bit. You were the first buddy that I had, and you were the one that really pushed me at the outset, the reason I put in so much work to get better…everyone else after that, they didn't push me as hard as you did, and they reaped a lot of the benefits from my time with you. So yeah, I'm grateful for everyone, but you're the one I've thought about most ever since then. You had a huge impact on me…I wouldn't be where I am if you hadn't been there. And I'm glad I could see you again, because I feel like sometimes so much is going on that I can lose sight of that…you feel that way, too?"

“I, uh…I definitely feel like you've had a huge impact on me, yeah…" Drum was fumbling a bit, not ready to be asked that. The more they talked, the more he wanted to just come out and talk about what he really wanted to talk about, it felt like it was pushing at him inside, trying to get out…was it the right moment? Was there a right moment to be had? “Maybe more than you even realize…"

“Hm? What's that mean?"

“Well…you know, I think back on all the times we shared…including some of the times we never, uh…really addressed after they happened. And…well, when I'm talking about together…I mean, uh, as more than just buddyfight partners." Gah straightened up a bit, eyes widening as he looked up at the blushing dragon. “I've thought about that…maybe a lot more than you would expect. And…well…I don't regret anything that's happened since then, or who I've been with, or anything like that. But…I've never…stopped thinking of you in that way. Or wanting you in that way. And it's…caused me to, uh, have some…issues, I guess, with others who I really shouldn't have had issues with, and I…well, I've spent too long letting it eat at me and not…actually getting it out in the open."

Silence in response; Gao was still looking at the dragon in shock, and Drum's heart was pounding, thinking he'd said something wrong, gone too far, though he wasn't sure where. “I, I mean, d-don't get the wrong idea, I wasn't, I wasn't trying to get you out here because I wanted to, uh, seduce you or anything like that! I really did want to see you again, for a lot of reasons, and I know it's complicated, and you have a family, and I know it's different for humans and there's all sorts of weird stuff behind it, and it wouldn't be at all wrong if you weren't-" Drum might have let a thousand more and's spill from his muzzle if it hadn't been firmly shut by Gao pulling him down, the human's face meeting his muzzle and lips pressing up against him in a kiss. Now it was the dragon's turn to be stunned into silence as he felt Gao's mouth meeting his, the human's tongue slipping slightly inside, Drum a bit too frozen to do much more than feel it work against him.

After a minute, Gao pulled back, grinning up at Drum. “Hey, buddy, you still there?"

“Ah…that…Gao…what…huh?"

“Aheh, looks like you're not the only one who can spring a few surprises," the human snickered, before his expression shifted to a more earnest smile. “You know…I know we had that little bit of time where we fooled around back then, and I told you I felt like we needed to stop because it was too much to think about with everything else going on. I was too young, too naive, didn't really understand all my own feelings, but I was trying to work them out…when things settled down, and then you said you were going back, I just kind of assumed you'd lost interest in that, so I never said anything about it, because I didn't want to make things awkward. But…I never stopped thinking about it. You affected me kind of a lot with even that little bit of playing around, just another way you shaped me. And even though it's been a long time, I never really stopped thinking about you in THAT way, either…even if I couldn't touch, I could remember. But, now that you've come out and said what you said, I can say my part without any regrets…I'd love to reawaken that side of things."

“You…you would? That…it won't get you in, uh, trouble or anything?"

“Heh, we're a long ways from that sort of thing. I'm gone for long periods of time all the time, my wife and I both decided long ago that it wasn't reasonable to wait for so long for something like that. When we're together, we're together, but when we're apart, we can seek those pleasures out elsewhere, so long as we don't get too invested…but she always did tease me a bit saying that 'you can make an exception for Drum, because I know if it happens hell itself couldn't stop it.'"

Drum's eyes widened again. “What…she really said that? She, uh, she knows?"

Gao blushed a bit. “We were honest about our pasts…eventually. It took me a bit to get to admitting that. But she didn't have a problem with it, she said it was kinda cute. She mostly said that to tease me a bit, but…she let me know once that she meant it, too. Just so long as I don't leave her for you, but I don't think I have to worry about that, right?"

“N-no, not at all, I would never…w-wow, I never realized…I, uh…thought humans weren't…usually like that."

“Well, a lot of them aren't, yeah, but some are, and when it works out, it's pretty nice. Mm, I notice YOU haven't made mention of having any issues, though, mister 'kids galore.'"

“Ahaha, er, yeah," Drum laughed a bit. “No, uh, definitely not…after ten kids, she said anywhere else I want to sow my seed is fine by her. We're, uh, looser about that in general, I guess, but no, there's no concerns about objections there for sure."

“Well, that's good, because I don't wanna mess anything up for you. But if all's well and good…" Gao's hand stroked Drum's heavily flushed face. “Then I think we have something to take care of. And about time, too…heh, you know, I sort of hoped this would happen. There were a few times where I was fantasizing about coming back here and you were all ready to pounce on me and ravish me…"

“Wow…I…I had no idea…" Drum swallowed hard. “I thought…you might not be interested anymore…and even bringing it up would ruin things…"

The human gave a long laugh. “Oh, Drum! Even if I hadn't been interested, I wouldn't have blamed you for it…we don't control those sorts of things. But did you really think I wasn't going to try to get a piece of you if I came back? I could barely control myself even back when it wasn't a good idea…I was going over all sorts of ways in my head I could figure out if you were even a little interested all the way here."

“Oh…I guess I, uh, got a little bit…worked up for nothing, huh?" The dragon rubbed his head. “I guess, uh, better getting worked up over nothing than not realizing I have a reason to…"

“Agreed. So, my big stud of a dragon, what're you waiting for?"

“Gao…you really want me to, uh…"

The human winked at him. “You didn't get to ten kids by holding back, did you? C'mon, I'm not getting any younger, who knows how long it'll be before I can't get it up anymore?"

Drum gave a light lustful growl. “You've got a lot more spunk left in you, I can tell. It's time I oughta make some of that mine again after this long." He reached out for Gao's shirt, grabbing it from the bottom and pulling it over Gao's head, baring the human's chest to him - lean, yet nicely toned, the signs of someone who had a very active lifestyle without putting building up as a focus. “Been too long since I saw you at all, but especially like this…you've grown nicely."

“I'd say the same thing about a specific part of you." Gao snickered as he motioned towards Drum's legs, where the dragon's erection was pushing against his garment, making a rather noticeable protrusion and a bit of a wet spot. Drum flushed deeper as the human continued to laugh. “No wonder you made so many kids if you've got such a fine tool to do it with."

“Heh…well, it's been WAY too long since you've had a chance to use this 'tool', so perhaps I shouldn't be keeping you waiting, huh?" Drum pulled at the ties on one side of his garb and flung the front part off over him, baring himself to the human in rather quick fashion. The muscular, red-scaled body was on display for Gao, as well as the deep red, knotted dick that stood at such attention, very clearly glistening with the dragon's natural fluids and already beading with pre at the tip.

“Oh, my…it definitely HAS been too long…" Gao was almost entranced, looking upon Drum's nude form for the first time in quite a few years. “And you look just as gorgeous as ever…I'll bet you could still beat up most of the guys still in the game today."

“I'm not so interested in beating people up anymore…last one I tried to gave me a well-deserved thumping. But that doesn't mean I can't do another sort of pounding. Loosen up those pants, or they might not survive me pulling them down…"

“That's the feisty buddy I remember." Gao undid his pants just enough to make sure that they could come off easily, letting the dragon do the honor as he clearly wanted to. He lifted himself up just enough to make sure when Drum grabbed and pulled, nothing got in the way of them sliding off and being tossed to the side where his shirt was currently laying in the grass.

Drum licked his chops as he drank down Gao's nude form - lean, wiry, a few marks here and there that might have been slight scars, immensely attractive to Drum as it always had been. “No underwear? You really WERE planning to get frisky, weren't you?"

“Am I that transparent?" Gao joked back. “I remember you used to wonder why I wore clothes that no one could even see, and I used that as a sort of signal…figured it might help jog your memory, but clearly you didn't need that." The human scooted closer to Drum, their bodies starting to rub together, the much bigger dragon dwarfing him but not intimidating him at all. “Mmm, you really are still a nice big stud. I've always had a bit of trouble with comparing others to you…well, other guys anyway."

“Hopefully the trouble was that I was better than all of them."

“Could it be anything else?"

Drum averted his gaze nervously. “Well, I would HOPE not…"

Gao chuckled and leaned into Drum, caressing the dragon's chest and side and arm. “Never could've been possible. None of them could be as big as you were, in any sense of the word, and they couldn't put up that kind of fire either. Heh, usually I was the more forward one…you did kinda ruin me for taking it, it was never enough to have the impact that you did, so I've mostly taken the other side."

“Oh? I thought we, uh, couldn't…exactly leave any, uh, permanent marks or anything…"

“Well, not physically, but how am I ever going to compare a wild rut from a dragon-sized and dragon-hot dick to anything a human could try to offer me? All in my head, but my head made a compelling case…still, I had no problem making sure others knew I wasn't just some twink to be pushed around. But I have missed it a bit…and now that I have the one that ruined me back in front of me, I think I need to 'relive' those days."

“I'll make you feel like you never stopped." Drum took hold of Gao and pulled him up onto his body, laying back a bit with the human on top of him. Gao's hands dropped onto him as the two shifted and squirmed a bit, Drum's fat staff rubbing against Gao's tight rear as they tried to line themselves up for the fun. It was a bit challenging given that they were both still trying to feel each other up at the same time, hands rubbing against chests and sides, neither one wanting to give up that close contact. “Mrrr, you can't get enough of my muscle, can you?"

“Can I help it if I'm a bit starved?" Gao fired back playfully. “I haven't been with a guy even close to your build for way too long."

“Hm, I'll have to make sure you get your fill, then." Drum finally reached back and grabbed Gao's ass, spreading him apart and wedging the tip of his cock in between those taut cheeks, making Gao gasp and moan. “You okay?"

“Mm, I'll be fine…maybe start slow, though, this is…something I gotta work back up to, I think."

“Of course." One of Drum's hands took hold of Gao's thigh while the other stroked the human's back, giving Gao a moment to ready himself. As the human seemed to relax, he tightened his hold and drew Gao down onto his staff; the thick rod pushed slowly and evenly into Gao's body, getting a breathless cry out of the human as he was stretched out intensely for the first time in years. Drum let out a tense growl as he felt that trice-like grip on his cock, he'd got much more used to others his size, the much smaller human was a fit he hadn't felt in equally long, and the pressure on his shaft was unbelievably stimulating, making him leak and squirt into that narrow canal, bathing Gao's insides in heat.

“Oh, fuck…that's…agh, I missed that so much…" Gao was panting hard, it was clear he was feeling the strain, but his voice was tinged with mountainous bliss, and his own cock was just as hard and leaky as the dragon's. “Give me just a sec, I…"

“Mmnh, I missed this so much, too…" Drum was struggling to keep from bucking himself the rest of the way in - he was only about halfway inside Gao, but he forced himself to hold back for the sake of the human. Little by little, he could feel bits of that tension around him ebbing away - not fully, but enough that he could tell Gao was handling it better. Neither of them were waiting idly, their hands still running over each other's bodies, Gao rubbing and squeezing those muscular dragon abs and Drum letting his claws scratch ever-so-lightly over Gao's back and sides.

Drum's cue to keep going was when Gao started to try to push back down on him again, looking to take more of that enormous draconic member into him. Drum made sure they took it slowly enough, even as eager as he was to be sheathed inside Gao again for the first time in far too long, he also wanted to make sure Gao loved the hell out of it - if it was the last shot he had, he was going to make it one to remember, and if by some chance it wouldn't be, he wanted to make sure it was something for Gao to come back to. Still, there was always only one goal, and though it was a touch slower getting there than his body demanded, soon enough Gao's rump was flush with Drum's knot, that dick inside him and creating a small bump that they could both see and feel.

“Haha…goddamn…THAT'S something I remember…" panted Gao as he stroked the firmness inside him. “Hah, back then I didn't even realize that wasn't…something that should be possible, I didn't care one bit…just another way dragons are special."

“Heh, it makes me feel like a monster," agreed Drum. “Just a beast of virility…but that's not the only thing I need to get inside you, now, is it?"

“Definitely not. Show me the breeding you made ten kids with, stud."

As before, Drum started slower than his body wanted to go, getting a nice tight grip on Gao and slightly pulling him up as he drew his hips away towards the ground, then slowly pushing down as he pumped up and in. It was a gentle start that nonetheless showed Drum's considerable power quite effectively, making Gao grunt loudly as he felt that pressure within him recede and then escalate much more rapidly than before. The immense pressure on his prostate made sure there was a nice buzz of pleasure underneath that pressure, though, making his dick drool a bit of precum onto Drum's lower stomach and groin, where it hissed a bit from the heat.

Drum repeated that motion, over and over, escalating the pace as Gao got more and more accustomed to it, the humans grunts and groans turning slowly into moans and cries that matched Drum's intensifying growls and grunts. His cock leaked more and more into Gao, smoothing the ride a bit and pulsing a radiating heat into the human, which was both relaxing his passage and soothing the muscles that were being pushed to the limit by the draconic drilling. As it continued, Gao leaned more and more into Drum, until he was more or less laying down on the dragon and pressing himself eagerly into that muscular body; Drum adapted accordingly, using less of his hands and more of his hips and tail to provide the drive into Gao's tight ass. Both were starting to sweat a bit from the heat and exertion, amplifying the musky scents in the air that inflamed their lusts even further, especially with as close as Gao was to that powerful body giving off such a powerful manly odor.

Drum was almost totally lost in the sensations when he felt a poking at his pecs, and looked down to see Gao tapping that beefy muscle. “Damn, this feels like a giant slab of rock…how do you carry these things around?"

“Good supporting muscles, like the ones you've been engrossed with this whole time. Maybe I'll need to give you more time to just admire them."

“Mm, sounds enticing. But at the moment…I think I'm loosened up enough, Drum. And I can feel that knot of yours knocking at my door." Gao gave the dragon a salacious wink. “It would be a shame to keep it out of its home."

“Heh…you make a pretty compelling case, Gao." Drum pulled out of Gao, and then flipped over so that the human was on his back on the ground and Drum was looming over him. He leaned down and his muzzle met with the human's face, tongue pushing out to meet Gao's in a rather sloppy kiss. Both of them moaned into that heated exchange of passion and spit, Drum's tongue overpoweringly huge compared to Gao's but the smaller one doing its best to hold its own against that imposition. As Drum pulled away, his eyes seemed almost faraway as they looked down at Gao. “Better tell me if you're not really ready, because I don't know if I'll be able to hold myself back when I'm in the zone."

Gao merely grinned back up and widened his legs. “You'd better not, if I could handle you back then I can handle you now."

Just what Drum liked to hear. He shifted forward, lining himself up and then driving in as he held Gao down on the ground, the pin less for dominance and more just to keep Gao still under the incredible force. This one was no nice gentle entry, this was most of them close to the edge and trying to finish things off, and Drum needing to put his all into knotting the human's ass for the first time in too long for either of them. The thrusts were much more intense, Drum putting much more into them than the initial salvo, smacking that knot against Gao's ass with all the vigor of a proper dragon rutting. To Drum, it felt like an even tighter fit now that he was going all out, relying on only the heated fluids he'd already leaked into Gao to ease his passage, drinking down the scent of the human in the air, a partner that he'd pined for so long and now could enjoy the way he'd been wishing for, without any worries.

And Gao was clearly loving it, the way his voice cried out with raw euphoria, the way he squeezed around that thick shaft whenever it entered into him, the way he pushed back just that little bit that he could when it plowed into him. His cock was throbbing, leaking madly now onto himself, so close to his pinnacle but holding back as long as he could to build up just that little bit more. Gao's arms clung to Drum's, seeming like branches to tree trunks, as he endured and enjoyed the full drive of a Drum Bunker Dragon, losing himself to the power and carnality and the joy of a passion rekindled.

There wasn't any holding back, not now, not when they were so eager and pent up. Drum hammered away at Gao, almost desperate to embed his knot in that tight tunnel and finally let loose with his load; underneath him, Gao was trying to loosen up, a relatively futile effort against such a prodigious girth, but wanting to get that knot in him as much as Drum wanted to put it in. But it was his own climax that hit first, his seed gushing out from him forcefully, splattering in lines along his body. He couldn't keep from squeezing down and spasming around that thick girth, writhing in ecstasy underneath Drum's hold, his voice wailing out in rapture with every truncated breath he managed to get in.

Finally, gloriously, Drum felt Gao's rear give slightly, and with a roar he drove in, his bulge making that pucker yawn wide open and then snap shut around him as he embedded his full thickness into Gao. That roar was only the prelude to another, louder and more heavenly eruption as he felt himself cut loose, his furiously hot cum geysering into Gao's innards. Just as Gao's climax was dying down, he felt the full force of Drum's upon him, heating him up from the inside out and packing him full of thick, virile dragon spunk, adding to the stretch inside him and the firmness in his gut. His voice was reduced to more tepid, breathless moans with the occasional higher cry, as he slumped back and accepted the offering given to him by his lovely dragon.

With no more need to hold him in place, Drum scooped Gao up in his arms and rolled back over, holding the human close as they both panted hard, rubbing his back as he filled up Gao's body with his prolific seed. He paid no attention to the sticky mess on Gao already, it would be trivial to wash up and just something else they could do together. “That was…just as amazing as I remember it. Maybe even more so."

“Mmm…yeah, same…" Gao rubbed a hand tiredly over the dragon's scales. “Shouldn't have waited so long…we're just going to have to make up for some lost time while I'm here, aren't we?"

“I would love that," agreed Drum, squeezing Gao tight against him. And perhaps, he thought, see if he could make it so they wouldn't have to wait as long for the next time, either. But he could think about that later…right now, he just wanted to enjoy the darkening sky in relative privacy with his lover, and enjoy the time they had together, with no more anxiety over what might or might not happen.

---

The two had actual privacy, as it turned out, because Orion and Bunk had vacated their viewing point a while back. Bunk perhaps much more hurriedly than Orion, it seemed, because he was still cringing at the full view he'd gotten. Much to his human's delight. As the skies darkened overhead, Orion was jaunting around with Bunk, the dragon trying to grab at him as he was mercilessly teased. “C'mon, Orion, it's not that bad!"

“I never should have gone out there! I didn't think they'd just…start doing that stuff right out there!" Bunk wanted to scrub the sight of his father's naked body right out of his brain, but it wasn't that easy to do with Orion prodding at him like that.

“Look on the bright side," Orion said with his cheekiest possible grin. “At least now you know where you got it from!"

“Guuuuh! Don't say things like that! I don't want to be thinking about that!" Bunk swiped at Orion, trying to grab him and shut him up, but the human was staying just out of his reach, distracting him with every jibe.

“But it's just your heritage! You're strong, studly body, your luscious mane, your hot, thick dragon cock…it's the spitting image!"

“Stop that!" Bunk lunged for Orion, faceplanting into the grass as the human ducked and rolled out of the way.

“You might even be bigger than him…maybe I'll have to get Gao to help me get the two of you together so we can compare! See if the dragonfruit doesn't fall far from the-" Orion's last crack was cut off as Bunk finally snagged his robe. He pulled at it to try to pull Orion towards him, but the human's resistance ended up with him tearing it off of Orion with a yank and leaving the human stark naked. “Oy! I just got that!"

“And I just got you." Orion's momentary distraction was enough for Bunk to snatch up the human and pull him close. The robe was discarded aside as the dragon secured his grip on Orion and pinned him to the ground underneath him, silencing any further protests or taunts with his tongue in Orion's maw. He felt Orion relax into the kiss, ceasing any further struggles in a concession to Bunk's superior strength. After a minute Bunk pulled back, eyes slightly lidded as he looked into Orion's gaze. “See, you CAN use that mouth for something better. You're lucky I love you."

Orion, panting a bit, found his eyes widening at that. “That…that's a new one, Bunk. You love me?"

Bunk's eyes shot open wide as well as he realized what had just slipped out. Once again the heat rose to his face…he feared that eventually it was just going to stay that way with how often this had been happening. But there was no point in ducking around it now. “Y-yeah, I do. I love you…I…how could it be anything else? There's nothing else that could make me crave you as much as I do, day in and day out. There's nothing else that could have driven me to finally stick up for myself and challenge the person that I never could. There's nothing else that could have had me so panicked at the thought of something going on that could threaten to take you away from me. It's just…you're amazing. You even broke through the old man's shell, and I didn't think all the drills in the world could've done that…you're tough as any dragon here, and that makes you just so much more attractive to me, that a little human could run with us and keep up. And I don't wanna let anyone else try to sink their teeth into you and pull you away…I want to be that one."

“You did a pretty good job of that yesterday," the human teased. “I swear I still feel where you latched on."

“Ah…well, uh…this time I meant it more, uh, metaphorically. Though if I need to bite to remind you of it, well…"

“I don't think you'll need to. Bunk, I…well, I'm not really generally good with stuff like this, but…you know, you're the reason I tried to get that toughness that you like about me. I used to be pretty pitiful, really, and I wanted to prove that I could be a good partner for you…and the times where I thought you might leave were the ones that hurt the most." He reached up and caressed Bunk's blushing face, his own feeling pretty red as well. “And you still do push me more than anyone else does. You challenge me when I need it most, and you help me see when I'm doing it wrong. I can't think of anyone who's ever meant as much to me as you do…and I love you too."

“Aww…" Bunk felt himself smiling, even as he felt a little embarrassed. “I guess you've got a little sap in you, too, huh?"

“More than a little…I, uh, got something for you. It's, uh, in the robe, if you didn't destroy it completely."

“Oh, hush. We make stuff that's hardier than those flimsy fabrics you humans make clothes out of." Bunk pawed over at the robe and pulled it closer, and felt around the inside for a hidden pocket. Once he found it, he pulled something out…it was a hairpin brooch with a polished, smooth emerald in the center and small sapphire studs laid into a fine silver setting. His eyes widened as he took in the sight. “O-orion…this is…"

“There was another reason I wanted to speak to Drum alone while we were here…" Orion was a much deeper red now. “I mean, not a dozen times, but at least once. I read about this online, about some old dragon traditions…I know a mateship gift is sort of an archaic thing, but I, uh, I guess I felt like it was the right thing to do. Because I want to always be with you, Bunk…no matter what, I want us to be together."

Bunk felt himself tear up, and gave a choked sob-laugh as he leaned down and kissed Orion again, even more deeply. He didn't think he'd ever felt this sort of happiness before…to have an expression of love that strong, that meaningful, when he'd always wondered whether Orion truly felt the same way as he did, having all that hit him all at once was overwhelming. As Orion pinned the brooch into his mane, it felt truly like an affirmation of their union, a statement that they would be staying together, living their best life and love as long as they could.

“It looks fantastic on you," said Orion, stroking a hand through Bunk's hair around the brooch. “Not that you need it to look fantastic."

“Orion…you're absolutely perfect." Bunk hugged Orion closely, his heart blazing with joy and passion. “Thank you…I love you so much."

“I love you too, big guy," replied the human happily. “You want to take this back to the hut?"

“Screw that…I don't want to wait." Bunk gave Orion a long lick on the cheek. “I'm gonna let all that love out right here."

“Wait, here? Right out in the open like this?"

“Heh, I don't care who sees me pleasuring my mate." Bunk's passion seemed infectious, and Orion couldn't find any reason to argue with that, nor did he really want to. He leaned into Bunk's kiss as the dragon fumbled with his garb and finally cast it away, his erection swelling with his passion as he tasted his mate's delectable flavor. His impressive endowment rubbed and frotted against Orion's as they lay on the grass, making out and sharing the closeness between them with visceral desire. Orion flushed a bit as he felt Bunk's heated fluids leaking onto his body, bestowing on him a powerful warmth that spread over him, marking him with Bunk's scent…one that everyone was going to smell and know who it was he belonged to. Like the last late-night romp, except different, he was wearing it like a true partner now. The thought of that sent a lightness through his heart, finally taking things to the next level with his wonderful dragon…all that thinking about the future had helped him see what was most important to him in that future, and that was Bunk being with him.

Bunk finally broke away from the kiss, looking down at Orion with starry eyes for a moment before shifting and lining himself up with Orion's tight rear. His arms slipped under Orion, keeping a nice tight hold on his human as he pushed inside, his hot dragon staff pushing with force but not ramming into Orion, a much more restrained entry that somehow felt more intense than even the usual hard entry to the human. He moaned out loudly as he felt that burgeoning stretch rise within him again, the heat of Bunk's cock adding to the steaminess he was already feeling, and he clenched down on that potent staff as he rubbed Bunk's arms with his hands, panting hard as he coaxed the dragon onwards.

Bunk began to thrust, but it was a much more measured pace than usual, his growls laden with a passion beyond the raw lust of his usual…his beast of a cock slipped in up to the knot, slid out, pushed back in, seeking out Orion's most sensitive spots and trying to work them very deliberately. He wanted to hear his lover's sweet moans, and he was getting rewarded, the human's voice huskier and his body shivering more as he was given a much more sensual treatment than the dragon ever had shown him before. He leaned down lower over Orion, letting their bodies rub together more, holding him tight to his muscular chest, the scaly form glistening with sweat and heavy with his musk.

Orion was soon pushing back, arching his back into those thrusts, his hands flung back onto the ground, clawing at the grass, toes curling from the impassioned rutting. He'd never known Bunk had this side to him, and he knew he was going to want more of it…wild and rough was fun, but his was deeper, more meaningful. His own cock was pushing up against that scaly body, relishing the heat and the contact as it was stimulated from all sides, amplifying his arousal even further beyond the sensual display of the dragon. He started to give licks and kisses to Bunk's chest, lacking access to his head for the moment, but wanting to give back whatever he could to his lover.

And Bunk helped with that, making it easy for Orion to access his body as he pulled the human's head against him, rubbing more fiercely against him as he thumped his knot against Orion's taut pucker. Not coming even close to forcing it in this time, instead letting it slap relatively gently against his partner, letting Orion loosen up naturally and prolonging the pleasure for both of them, in no rush to let this feeling of bliss go. The heat in his loins wasn't going to hold out forever, he knew, but he would keep himself held back as long as he needed to to properly consummate their partnership, and to make sure Orion reached the pinnacle alongside him.

Orion was almost there, the passionate plowing doing the trick and then some. His fingers departed from the ground again, only to grab onto Bunk and try to pull himself closer, crying out into Bunk's chest as he felt the bolts of pleasure rush through him, his cock throbbing madly, begging to let loose its payload. But he didn't want it to end without giving Bunk the same level of pleasure…he managed to form a few choked words through the tension. “B-bunk…please…let me…feel a-all of you…"

How could he say no? Bunk tightened his grip a little and pushed harder, letting his knot hit and press with more force, though still not with the drive of his baser ruts. But Orion was more than primed to handle him by now, and he could feel the human slowly yielding to his strength, until the entirety of that thick bulge slid inside with a loud pop. The sudden tension around his sensitive knot was exquisite, and it only got better when Orion cried out and clamped down hard onto him as his orgasm struck, pulsing seed onto Bunk's abs and groin…it was enough to set him off as well, and he let out a cry of his own as he unloaded his sticky heat into his human love, unleashing a potent portion of passion into his waiting partner's innards.

Orion clung tight to Bunk as he took it all in, loving the feeling of that fiery fluid inside him even more than he usually did. Not just a sensation of heat, but an expression of love, no longer masked or avoided, but as pure and sincere as could be. He was getting a bit dizzy from it all, the heated and musky air getting him almost drunk off of his dragon, and he tried to nestle into that muscled chest as much as he could, willing to melt into Bunk if that was possible. He could have spent days worshiping that studly body, and it still would have felt like not enough appreciation of Bunk, so amazing was he…but he had all the time in the world to do so, and he was going to relish it when he could.

Bunk finally shifted, pulling Orion up with him as he got to a sitting position, his knot still lodged tight inside his human. He tilted Orion back and tilted the human's head back, then bent down and engaged his lover in another deep kiss, uncaring about the slightly awkward angle - he was going to make it work however he could, to show his love to the person who mattered most to him in this world. Orion reached up and wrapped his arms around Bunk's neck, throwing himself with abandon into the kiss, putting his own love on full display. The two of them embracing each other and their new future together, a future for the two of them that neither knew what would it would bring, but that they'd go towards it together in heart and soul, albe to handle anything as long as they had each other.