For those of you who have not watched the beautiful Russian film "I Am Dragon/He is a Dragon" (2015), I cannot recommend it enough. It is truly a gem of the fantasy/romance/adventure genre, with superb costuming and stunning CGI. Russian with English subtitles works best, but there is also an English dubbed version on Youtube if you can't find it.
The story follows the adventures of Miraslova, the daughter of a duke who is kidnapped on her wedding day by a dragon and taken to a mysterious island. There she meets a strange young man who she names Arman. "I Am Dragon" has this beautiful, folkloric quality. It definitely nails all the right notes and is a genuinely touching film.
I have watched it about three times, in only two days, because it's that good, but was devastated to see that there was no community for it. So, here is my "what happens at the very end" fic. I just had to see how their romance bloomed from there.
Link to Youtube: watch?v=RgCH_yCLgY8
Disclaimer: I own nothing, all character resemblances are purely out of respect to this amazing story.
Mira lost track of how long she and the dragon remained curled together upon the floor of the altar room. It could have been hours, years or even centuries, but all she could sense was the weight of him and his almost unbearable heat pressing against her. It should have frightened her, but she no longer feared the dragon. He was Arman... and Arman was him. To love only one would have been a shallow, ugly thing. So she waited, basking in the eternity of his warmth, growing familiar with the shape and weight of her dragon.
After a while, slowly and gently, she ran her hand over the scales of his head, admiring their sheen and strength. They were the same shade of polished bronze, but rougher, as though leather had solidified into sheet metal. She admired the contrast between her white dress and his dark scales. His skin rippled beneath her touch, and a long low growl rumbled through her. She smiled.
"Does that feel good?" She asked gently. He made another low rumbling sound and she smiled.
Moving her hands gently, she explored the ridges and curves of his head... studying his eyes, jawline and horns. The wicked teeth and fiery eyes that had once fueled her nightmares now seemed to shine like precious jewels, and she wondered how she could have misjudged them. She leant forward, pressing her lips once again to his burning flesh. The dragon's body seemed to ripple with visible pleasure and delight, the long tail curling up to encircle them. He pushed her closer and she felt the wind being knocked almost completely from her body as she was pressed into his side.
"Gently." She reminded him between rasping breaths and the dragon physically recoiled, its fiery eyes widened in alarm.
A low clicking noise issued from between its teeth, like the concerned chitters of the furry creature that had once guarded her in The Pit. Mira reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder, trying to reassure him.
"It's ok. I'm ok." She breathed and he shuddered, rewrapping her in his "embrace."
She let him feel her this time. Let him smell her hair and face, getting to know her scent and feel, as she had come to know his. Finally, after what could have been days or seconds, he pulled away. She gazed into his molten eyes, watching as something not quite human - but not quite animal - stared back at her. She smiled.
"Beautiful." She murmured, gently stroking the side of his face. His male ego more than a little stroked, the dragon preened, making her snort with laughter. Those eyes regarded her, a little hurt, and she shook her head.
"Now now, don't be so haughty. You haven't even told me how beautiful I am." She looked down at her pure white dress, with its layers of silk, brocade and lace, and picked at the blood red beads that hung at her neck.
"And it's my wedding day. Don't you know that it's bad luck not to tell a bride she's beautiful on her wedding day?" The dragon observed her unblinking, then, lithe as a serpent, he drew back from her. Leaving her kneeling on the stone floor. She scrambled after him but after a moment drew back. Burning embers started to detach from his hide, floating into the air as veins of shimmering fiery light began to work their way across his powerful body. The ran from his nose to his tail, trailing along the delicate membranes of his wings until the light became almost too much.
For a moment, the altar room was bathed entirely in the colour of flame, then it faded. In its place was the dark haired figure of the man she loved. Mira rose to her feet and stood on trembling legs, gazing across the room as Arman turned to face her, his handsome face almost unreadable. A thousand emotions seemed to swim in those deep brown eyes and she swallowed thickly.
"Mira…" Her name on his lips was like a prayer, spoken on the knife's edge of a whisper. She took a step towards him.
"You look… beautiful." Mira could feel the tears that began to flow down her cheeks, hot and wet like blood. She ran to him, throwing her arms wide as he drew her in, pressing her as close to him as possible. His strong, lean body curled around hers, sheltering her as though from a bitter wind. There was a strange roaring in her ears and Mira realised that it was the sound of her heart, beating like she'd just run a thousand miles.
"Mira..." Arman kept murmuring her name as his hands trailed down over her body. She shivered and pressed herself closer. She ran her own hands over his skin, tracing her way up his bare chest to his shoulders, then circling her arms around his neck. He looked down at her and for a moment their eyes met. He smiled, and it was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen. Slowly, giving him time to move away, she rose up onto her toes. He watched her, carefully. She pulled his head down towards her and, after a moment's pause, pressed her lips to his.
Her tears flavoured their kiss with the tang of salt, but Arman seemed to crave her like a starved man craved a feast. As their lips connected Mira felt as though her body was being set alight, electricity coursing through her and her feet left the ground as strong up hoisted her up into the air. Parting her lips ever so slightly, she licked and nibbled at his lips, not at all abashed at the soft moaned escaping her. Arman, for his part, seemed just as excited. His flesh seemed to burn white-hot, but where his lips fell, Mira wanted more. She pulled back, breaking their connection reluctantly. Arman's eyes were as dark and turbulent as a storm, his breathing was harsh and there was a wildness to him that she hadn't seen since the first day she'd met him. It seemed like an age, since they were in that Pit. Had it truly only been a few months? Was it possible to fall in love with someone so quickly?
Mira placed one of her palms against Arman's face, relishing as he leaned into it gently. His eyes fluttered and her heart skipped a beat. She was so full of love, it almost hurt.
"Let's go home." She murmured and he nodded, hoisting her higher into his arms. He tucked his arms under her knees and shoulders, carrying her gently up the winding stone steps that curved up the mountain to their sanctuary. The sun was setting as they reached the summit, their view unobstructed as they gazed out over a glittering seascape that held a thousand splendid colours. They watched as the sun dipped below the horizon and the stars twinkled into existence. The world morphed from glowing reds, oranges and yellows to deep purples and midnight blue.
Arman turned and carried her gently into their home. He deposited her onto her bed, which she noted had been left untouched since her departure. He turned away and Mira panicked, thinking that he meant to leave her to sleep below, as he had once done when they were two strangers.
"Please don't leave me." She begged and he stopped dead. Turning to face her once more, Arman knelt by her bedside. He caressed her cheek gently.
"Mira, I'm just going to light the lamps so that you may see more clearly." He said and she nodded, realising how dark it had become now that the sun had set.
As he disappeared to light the lamps, Mira removed her blood-bead jewellery and bone white head piece, letting her brown hair slide free from its prison. Bells jingled softly as she laid the garments to the side, and she quickly removed her rings and earrings. She then began to untie the straps at her throat, which held the heavy brocade and pearl tunic she wore closed. A soft growl made her head snap up. Arman stood in the archway, an oil lamp burning in his hand. Naked from the waist up, as he always was, his eyes were fixed at her throat or, more precisely, at her fingers. She paused and he moved towards her, slow and sure as a tiger through the snow.
"Arman…" She murmured and even from her darkened side of the room, she saw him smile. He placed the lamp by the bed and then faltered, a look of anguished puzzlement flashing across his features.
"Mira…" He paused, looking down.
"I do not know how to love you like a... human."
As inexperienced as she was, Mira realised that he simply couldn't know what to do. She would have to take the lead from here. After all, being called "they who are born from ashes" didn't exactly lend itself to a normal means for intimacy. She stretched out her hand towards him.
"I'll show you. Come to me." She pleaded and he looked relieved, bending to crawl onto the silken sheets with her. She moved aside to make room, then coaxed him to lie down. She pressed herself against him, propped on one elbow and gently traced her fingers across the muscles of his chest. He groaned and made to sit up, but she pushed firmly to keep him reposed.
"Relax, my love, just let me touch you." She cooed and he relented, lying still and watching her with great interest. As she continued her attentions, keeping her fingers light and bringing her hand lower, towards his belly. He jerked suddenly and let out a small gasp. He stared at her, eyes wide, and she leaned down. As their lips met once again, the same incredible jolts of lightning coarsed their way through her, making her breath come short and her toes curl. She moaned and his hands came up to cup her face. He applied more pressure to her lips, forcing them open and raking his teeth along her bottom lip. The shock of it sent tingles down her spine and she moaned again, louder this time. Encourage, he pressed on, moving his hands to her shoulders then to her throat, pulled back only to make sure the ties were loosened properly before pulling it down and off her arms. The cool night air made the airs on her arms stand straight, and Mira wasted no time pressing herself to Arman again, if only to feel that delicious warmth once again.
Clad in just her shift, Mira pressed her chest to his, delighting in the way the rough fabric pressed against the delicate skin of her breasts. She had asked her sister, long ago, want went on between a man and woman who were married. Her sister had described the mechanics, but had failed to mention the sensations - oh gods, the feeling of him was enough to drive her to frenzy. She brought her hands back to his chest and belly, closing her eyes and exploring him by touch alone. At one point her hand touched something long and hard. Arman jerked violently and broke their kiss.
"What was that?" He demanded and she shied away, unsure.
"Did I hurt you?" She asked and Arman shook his head quickly.
"No, it was… good." He said slowly, as though trying to judge whether it was so. MIra nodded, confidence returning. She waited however, wanting to be sure.
"Do you want me to stop?" She asked and he shook his head again, taking her face between his palms and pressing a delicate kiss to her nose, both eyelids and, finally, her lips.
"Never…" Arman murmured and Mira smiled. Pulling her courage together, she returned her hands to their original task, gently but determinedly exploring her husband's human body. She was now resting half way a-top him, her legs curled around his and her body propped up by his torso. Her hands roamed southward again, this time prepared for what was to come. This time, when she felt him through his breeches, the jerk did not throw her, instead she pressed a little further, exploring the long length beneath her fingertips.
Arman groaned, eyes flaring red and his skin alighting with streaks of flame. Mira bit back her gasp. She began to hum, a lilting lullaby that she knew soothed her dragon. As her dragon faded back into Arman she kissed him gently. She pulled back and, grasped the edges of her shift, pulled it over her head in one sweeping motion. Arman ran his gaze along the length of her body, his eyes revealing nothing. Now bare as the day she was born, Mira felt her courage waver. She lowered her gaze and instinctively brought her arms up to cover her chest. She was stopped by Arman, who proper her chin with his finger and smiled at her.
"You are beautiful." He whispered and Mira felt her heart singing loudly in her chest. Relief flooded her entire body and she smiled, her lips quivering slightly. Arman ran his hands down her neck and back, smoothing the skin of her hips and thighs, then returning to cup her buttocks. She squeaked as he used his leverage to bring her more on top of him. They both laughed.
"Your turn." She whispered and Arman nodded,shifting her to grasp the tie of his breeches. Expertly, he unravelled it in one swift movement, pulling it out from under him and tossing it away to where her clothes lay. Naked, they lay against one another for a moment, relishing the feel of each others' bodies, learning (again) the shape and feel of the other person.
Mira shifted, pulling Arman on top of her. He brought his forearms down to support himself, keeping their lower bodies connected but making sure not to crush her. Mira felt a rush of something hot and prickly race through her core as his member pressed against her hip. Good gods, he was hot! Burning her almost, but in a way that made her squirm in pleasure. She reached down, finding him again.
"You have to... " She paused, blushing. Arman waited, his eyes wide and trusting. She could easily get lost in those eyes.
"Kiss me." She murmured and he did, devouring her mouth and instinctively pressing his hips to hers. They both groaned. Her hands ran down his back, coming to rest on the back of his hunches, tracing small circles with her fingertips before grasping his hips and guiding him back and up, just enough for her to reposition her own hips. Now, they were more aligned. At least, that's what she hoped… She kissed him again, kicking her hips up and into his, rubbing against that hard, velvety smooth rod.
There was a lot of wetness between her legs. Mira was unable to tell how or where it had come, but she was sure it hadn't been her bladder. Flushed with the moment, and a little embarrassment, she parted her knees a little and felt the end of him against her. She jolted. This time it was Arman who faltered.
"Are you alright?" He asked, and she nodded. She shifted and titled her hips, feeling instinctively where he was and where he might fit.
"Do you want me to stop?" He asked, a note of anxiety in his voice. She stopped and leaned up to kiss him.
"Never…" She breathed and he moaned.
"What do I do?" He asked and she stroked his back encouragingly.
"You need to… place yourself... inside of me." She answered quietly and he nodded. She smiled and bucked her hips forward, feeling for him again, hoping he understood. He pressed forward and Mira stifled a gasp as he entered her.
It wasn't entirely smooth. In fact, it hurt. What's worse, he wasn't even all the way inside, as her lower muscles had seized around him. She felt tears leak from the corners of her eyes and tried to turn her face away so he wouldn't see.
"Mira… oh Mira, I've hurt you." He moaned and Mira swallowed. She hooked her legs behind his thighs, holding him to her.
"Just… breathe…" She murmured and they did. In, then out. In, then out. As they relaxed, the pain subsided. Arman shifted and slid deeper. Amongst the pain, Mira felt the first stirrings of something else.
"Do that again." She said and Arman complied, watching her face carefully. He drew back, then moved forward and Mira moaned. Arman's smile started to return. He repeated his motion, using his arms to balance and thrusting forward with his hips.
"Mira, my love…" He crooned and Mira felt something begin to coil within her belly, low and tight, as though ready to spring. She leaned up and kissed him, running her teeth along his lips and grinning as he moaned her name. Her hands clutched at his back, the nails digging into the flesh. He groaned but a low rumble sent warm shivers down her spine to that still coiling spring.
"Arman…" She whispered and another low growl echoed in her ear. His breath was hot and rasping, she shivered as it tickled her neck and ear, ticking that coil ever closer to sprining.
"Say it again, Mira." Arman begged and she smiled softly.
"Arman…" She repeated, allowing her voice to wash over him. Arman, her dream. Her love. Her husband. She felt her breath beginning to catch in her throat and tried to keep her wits but, with one last push of his hips, Mira felt her world explode like one of Arman's "celestial flowers." As her mind went blank and her body seized and shock, Mira felt as though she were rising on clouds. The sensations were everywhere and nowhere, intense and yet so very faint. She could hear her own voice, calling for Arman, as though through a thick fog. Then, reality came crashing in and she gasped.
Arman was called her name, his hips still moving. She could feel him, moving inside her, although his rhythm was jolted and chaotic. It was as though he too was losing control. She kissed him.
"Arman… let go." She murmured and he groaned.
His eyes flared flame-red, the veins of his body standing stark and fiery against his skin. His hips jolted and jarred against her, and he collapsed, his arms giving out as he came to rest atop of her. They lay like that for some time, unable and unwilling to move. Her limbs were like spring slush, utterly useless. She felt a wide smile stretch across her face and she looked up into her husband's face. He was gazing at her in awe, his brown eyes wide and swimming with some emotion she couldn't name. He push away from her, rolling onto his back and lying there, his chest heaving. She rolled to curl into him, burying her head into the space between his neck and his shoulder. His arms came up to encircle her, and she felt him press a kiss to her hair.
"Mira?" Mira looked at him.
"Is it always like that?" He asked, his expression hopeful. She giggled.
"Oh no," She muttered, delighting in his crestfallen look.
"It only gets better."
She barely had time to register his movements before he'd caught her up against him, pressing another round of kisses to her lips and face.
Some time later, when her husband was finally sated (dragon stamina was clearly no small thing), Mira snuggled into him sleepily.
"I love you, Arman." She said and he smiled softly, stroking her hair gently.
"All of you, from now and until my last breath."
"I love you, Mira." He repeated and tapped her nose softly.
"Dragon and man, from now and until our last breath."
They lay together until dawn, staying awake just long enough to watch the sunrise onto the first day of the rest of their lives.
And there you have it folks. The first installment of "I Am Dragon" fanfiction.
If you liked it, please review (although another great thing you can do is watch the film, it's truly amazing)!