[For Sam] Healer & Dragon

[carrythetorch]

It had all gone wrong this time. In retrospect, Lio thinks maybe he'd been going too hard. He was on the brink of exhaustion, and his latest raid on livestock had been met with more resistance than it should have, almost as if someone had known he was coming.

He'd gotten away, thankfully, but not before he'd taken a number of blows -- arrows shot from crossbows with enough power that they'd pierced even through his scales. He'd ripped them out in flight and set the better part of a fallow field on fire before he'd flapped high enough to disappear into the cloud cover. That had been what saved him. It wasn't long before he couldn't keep himself aloft any longer, too much pain, too much blood lost.

Even maintaining his full draconic form is too much, and as he plunges to the Earth and tries to slow his descent with his wings, he fizzles back into his human shape, a lithe, slender man. His clothes are dark enough that the blood soaking them isn't obvious from a distance. He lands in a crumpled pile not far from a road through the woods, just off the trail in the underbrush. And that's the last thing he knows.

...

When he opens his eyes next, he's warmer than he expects to be. There's soft blankets beneath him and over him. He can smell something clean and earthy, herbal maybe, and light spills in setting the whole room in a comforting brightness and-- wait. He's in a room. The last thing he remembers is falling, and, oh.

He sits up all at once, hissing at the way his body protests the movement. Where is he? Has he been captured? Except no, if he'd been captured he'd be bound. Or dead. Maybe staked through to the ground. Not wrapped in soft blankets and tended to. "Where am I?" He asks the question mostly to himself as he blinks against his bleary vision willing it to clear, willing his eyes to focus.

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[barenakedspirit]

He leans into the touches to his scales and pulls Lio closer, wet skin rubbing against skin. His hands slide down and hook under Lio’s thighs. Galo hoists him up onto him and walks to the small shelf by the springs edge. He settles into it, pulling Lio into his lap.

A low growl rumbles in his chest and he runs his hands up Lio’s back, into his hair. Galo leans in and kisses him, teeth grazing his bottom lip. His groan is low and full of want. He ducks his head and kisses Lio’s neck in little pecks that turn into teasing bites on his way down to Lio’s chest.

He wants to hear Lio cry out for him.

[carrythetorch]

Lio growls a low, pleased sound as he's lifted, winding his arms around Galo eagerly. His mate is strong and beautiful, and Lio wonders how the hell he got so lucky. He never allowed himself to want this, to dream about anything more than protecting his people -- but if he had, Galo is beyond anything he could have imagined. Brave and sincere and an absolutely reckless idiot who threw himself into a battle that didn't have to be his.

Lio wants him so, so much. And the fact that Galo wants him in return is by far the most amazing realization. There's no misisng it either, the way those hands and that mouth touch him -- he's wanted.

His own hands, wet from the hot springs run down Galo's back, the base of his wings. IT's the teeth that draw the first whimper of sound from his lips. "Galo..."

[barenakedspirit]

His wings spread out as Lio’s hands run down their base. He drags his fangs over skin.

Lio saying his name is perfect. He slides his hands down his hips as his teeth graze Lio’s chest. If they weren’t in the hot springs he would do something different.

He sucks on bare skin with a low rumbling purr in the back of his throat.

[carrythetorch]

Each new touch is outright electrifying. Lio has never felt this, never allowed himself to be this close to anyone. He's never wanted to, not like this. His hands can't seem to stop moving, touching over every inch of Galo's body he can reach, damp smooth skin and the contours of hard muscles corded beneath.

Sinfully gorgeous.

He shifts in his lap, rocking against him, making the fact that he's achingly hard very, very obvious. "You really want me, don't you?" He murmurs softly, like he's still trying to wrap his mind around this truth.

[barenakedspirit]

He takes Lio’s hand off his chest and threads their fingers together as he rolls his hips up. His hard length slides against Lio’s stomach as he leans up to press their lips together. “Of course I do. You want all the reasons why it will have to be later. Too many to list right now when, Ah,”

He wraps his hand around both of their hard ons and strokes them together. “Rather just show you.” Galo kisses his way down Lio’s jaw to his neck, grazing his fangs there and following the muscles to dip between his shoulder and neck.

He rumbles low in his chest, draconic and full of that desire. “Wanted to last night but was so tired and the kids might have heard us in their eggs. Now you’re right here and we’re all alone.” He scrapes just fangs on skin and slides his hand over them, dragging it back down nice and slow, his breath coming out in a harsh exhale.

“Tell me how you want it. I’ll make it happen.” His. Lio is his and he wants him to really understand that.

[carrythetorch]

"Show me," Lio echoes in an eager plea of agreement. Show him. There can be time for words later because goodness does he have reasons for falling for Galo too, so, so many. And right now he's too busy thrilling at the feeling of Galo hot and hard against him.

He moans softly, arching against him, into that hand around both of them. He's never been with anyone like this, and every touch is better than he knew simple touch could be. "Mm... yeah. We don't need an audience." Even if it is their eggs. All alone with Galo is so much better.

Lio's hands drift down to his chest, up, one tracing up along the arch of his neck to catch under his chin, leaning back enough to meet Galo's gaze. "Mark me?" He murmurs the words even as he lets his head fall back and to the side, baring his neck. his throat. They're mates, after all, and Lio wants anyone who sees him to know.

[barenakedspirit]

Galo’s breath catches and he leans up, into the space offered for him. He sinks his teeth into the apex between Lio’s neck and shoulder. He growls as he tastes blood and fire.

Instinctively he bathes the bite with his own fire and slides his tongue over it. The skin will scar and show the world that Lio has a mate he trusts with his throat. Galo rubs his cheek against it, urging the healing to go a little faster. His hand on them pumps them steadily as he draws back to press his lips to Lio’s and offer up a bit of his fire to his mate.

He draws back and tips his own head back and to the side. “Claim me, Lio.”

[carrythetorch]

Lio breathes out a soft sound as those teeth pierce his skin. His eyes flutter and then shut, fingers moving to tangle in Galo's hair. There. It's perfect. He feels the fire wash over it, the sting easing as the wound heals, as the scar that will be with him for his life, will mark him as Galo's.

He meets that kiss eagerly, his own fire rising to meet Galo's as he flicks his tongue along his lower lip before drawing back.

Oh goodness yes, Galo. He very much would like to return this favor. He leans close, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to the side of his neck, the juncture of neck and shoulder. "Mine..." he whispers to to his skin before sinking his teeth in. A growl of his own echoes in his throat, and he laps gently at it, the taste of blood and fire drawing another groan out of him.

Between that and the hand of Galo's still moving over both of them, he's already perilously close.

[barenakedspirit]

He parts his lips and whines as teeth break his skin, marking him as Lio's. He shudders and reaches up to clutch at Lio with one hand and keep him close. His hips buck up into his hand on them, the heat in his veins only growing hotter and hotter.

All his life he wanted to be wanted. To be loved and to belong. Lio gave him that so freely he wants to clutch him close forever and never let go. His gorgeous, lovely Lio.

"Lio...Lio, I'm so close." He groans and paws at his back, a growl building in his chest. "Come with me. Let go. I've got you." Next time they'll go for more than this but, he's still getting used to being a dragon. This is safest for now.

[carrythetorch]

Lio whispers a small stream of fire over the bite mark, pressing another kiss there. His. His Galo. Galo has given him so much already, and Lio will cherish him for the rest of his life.

Galo's voice, the rumble of that growl, draws a moan out of Lio as well and he presses his face to the other dragon's neck, hands gripping at his shoulders, fingers pressing tightly into hard muscle.

"Me too," he agrees, his own voice a breathless growl. I've got you, Galo says and that's all Lio needs to hear. He lets himself fall, straight over that edge, hips jerking towards Galo's hand as he finds his release.

[barenakedspirit]

He holds tightly to Lio as he bucks his hips up and finds his release. He gasps as his climax rolls through him, the waves threatening to drag him under. He keeps his grip on Lio and stills his hand after a few moments.

He rubs at Lio’s back and hums quietly. The hot water feels really good after their fooling around. He tips his head back and pets Lio’s hair and back. “...doing good?”

[carrythetorch]

Lio nuzzles into Galo's neck as his climax finishes tearing its way through him, leaving him trembling just faintly in Galo's arms. He's a little overcome, even from just this. But Galo claimed him and is still holding him, and this is his first time being with anyone.

He exhales a shaky breath and nod, lips pressing softly to Galo's neck, the mark he left. He really likes that. More than he has words to really explain.

"Yeah. Yeah, really good." He admits, hand settling at Galo's chest, fingers sweeping along skin and scales. "You?"

[barenakedspirit]

He leans forward and kisses the mark he left, wings unfurling then resettling around Lio. “I feel great.” He says, breathless still. He brushes his fingers along the side of Lio’s face.

Galo smiles and wraps his arms around him. He rubs his cheek on the mark. A deep rumble rolls through the air. He accepted being a dragon and now he basks in what that means. His hands slide down over Lio’s back and follow the patterns of scales.

This is his mate. His Lio. He could easily imagine raising their kids together. He hums in pleasure. “I’ll make us breakfast when we’re ready.” Their first breakfast as mates.

It feels special and he leans back enough to kiss Lio, nibbling at his bottom lip, asking for a deeper kiss.

[carrythetorch]

Lio laughs, a quiet and contented sound that surprises him when he realizes he's the one who made it. He doesn't think he's ever let his guard down like this. Oh, he trusts Gueira and Meis with everything, with his life, but this is something different than his connection to his generals.

Galo's arms comes around him and Lio fully melts against him, boneless and at ease, a sound all too much like a purr trilling in his throat.

"Breakfast sounds perfect." Lio nods. Their first as mates, as a family that will soon be a much more chaotic sort of mean once the eggs hatch.

Lio meets that kiss, lips parting eagerly, tongue flicking out along Galo's lower lip. Yes, good more. He could spend an obscene amount of time kissing him.

[barenakedspirit]

He groans and forces himself to pull back after a minute. “Okay, we need to get out of this water.” Or they’d be in here all day and Meis and Gueira would have to find them.

He is not sharing this view of his mate. He isn’t a saint. Galo slips his hands down and pulls Lio up against him as he climbs to his feet. He could have waited. But he was never that patient and carrying Lio has a certain thrill to it.

“Should have what we need in storage.” He intones as he carries Lio back to their clothes.

[carrythetorch]

Lio grumbles, but somewhere in the grumbling he does admit that Galo is right. They need to get out and go about the day, otherwise Meis and Gueira would walk in on them making out in the bath and Lio is in agreement with Galo there. This is his mate. The possessiveness is new, but he can't help it.

A startled sound as he's just lifted -- and a flush as he pretends that's not a total turn on, the way that Galo is strong enough to lift him without hesitating -- and winds his arms around him.

"No need to hunt then?" Fine by him. Hunting can wait for another day. And since he's being carried and doesn't have to walk, that frees him up to kiss and nibble at Galo's jawline.

[barenakedspirit]

“Nope! I stocked up before we went off to face Kray.” His breath comes out a little faster. If Lio keeps that up, sex is definitely in their future.

After breakfast and dealing with possible interruptions. He rubs his cheek against his with a deep rumbling purr. Their bedroom has their clothes, he ducks inside and pauses a moment to feel the fire around the eggs.

Everything is alright. He sets Lio on his feet and brushes his hair out of his face. “Once everything settles we’ll have a lot of time for just us before the kids hatch.”

[carrythetorch]

Interruptions is something he probably ought to keep in mind. He doesn't need his most trusted generals and advisors seeing him and his mate all over one another.

Back on his feet, he leans into that touch, wrapping his arms around Galo's waist and stepping closer, drawing out just another moment of bare skin on bare skin. "We will. The calm before the storm. They'll be a handful, since they're ours." And neither one of them is exactly a quiet personality.

He leans in to press a kiss to Galo's chest. "I want to present you as my mate. I'm the Lord of these dragons, and now you're my partner. We'll lead them together." Side by side. "If you're okay with that."

[barenakedspirit]

Him. Leading. Galo blinks as he loops his arms around him. “I’m okay with it. I need whatever students I take to pay attention anyway. I can’t do that by stepping back.”

It still throws him for a loop how much is about to change. Dragon healers. The town beyond the forest will have new and better leadership. Children. “And of course our kids will be a handful! They have fiery souls just like ours!”

[carrythetorch]

"Good. I think it'll suit you." He plants his chin on Galo's chest, looking up at him. Affection and closeness is new to him, but it comes naturally enough, and he's sure he has Galo to thank for that.

He really does think leadership will suit Galo. He also knows himself well enough to know he sometimes needs to be checked, gets too focused. In the healer-turned-dragon, he thinks he's met someone who can do that, who is more than his match.

A laugh. "That's right. Guess you've been burning even before you were a dragon." Maybe Galo was always meant for this path.

[barenakedspirit]

“Always. Fire mage before, remember?” He grins then his grin fades into soft smile. “Let’s get dressed, okay?” He kisses him sweetly on the lips then walks away. He grabs up his clothes and pulls them on as he pads into the hatchery.

Their fire is woven around the eggs like braided cord. He breathes in and changes shape. His long winding body wraps around the eggs and he breathes flames over them. Bathing them in his magic and love, singing softly as he rubs his cheek gently against their shells. No eggs were neglected.

He draws back and changes back, smiling to himself. “Sleep well, kiddos.”

[carrythetorch]

"Hard to forget," but Galo had felt like he was shying away from that fire. And it's hard to blame him given what he told Lio of his past. But right yes, clothes, he supposes are a good idea. He dresses as well and wanders after Galo, watching as he checks over the eggs.

The smile that settles over his features is warm and almost painfully content.

Maybe that's the explanation for the tears that he's very much trying to blink back when Galo changes back. Lio turns quickly away and clears his throat, lifting a hand to surreptitiously scrub away a tear that escaped. Somehow, this is real. Somehow this is his.

"So... breakfast?"

[barenakedspirit]

Galo approaches slowly and wraps his arms around Lio, resting his cheek against his. “Breakfast.” He agrees as he lets him go but reaches for his hand.

“You want fish today? Like when we first met?” He grins, eyes bright. That had been a time. He had been fighting and warring against fire and himself. Now...he feels better.

Still a bit off about fire but that will take time. “We can probably be done by the time they get back and I can make them whatever they want.” Which will probably be a shock.

[carrythetorch]

Lio curls his fingers around Galo. "Heh. So you're the sentimental type." ...amd so is Lio, who is he kidding? "Fish sounds great." Like their first meal together, when Lio still hadn't known if he could really trust this healer, hadn't known how Galo would react to the truth of what he was.

But here they are, mates. In a brand new world that Galo helped him fight for.

"Careful, if you start feeding those two they'll eat you out of house and home." It's only a small exaggeration.

[barenakedspirit]

Galo tosses his head back and laughs. “Good practice for when the kids hatch!” He points out as he steers Lio out of the room and down the hallway.

The main room of the cave is softer than before. The forest has been at work preparing for housing a family of dragons. The formerly sharper edges are rounded and smooth. Galo grins as he pads to the stone slab he prepared fish on before. The hole is already open, fish waiting to be prepped.

“Forest is picking out a spot for the healer apprentices to stay so we can keep our personal privacy.” He adds, pausing to laugh. “And making this cave all baby friendly.”