Chapter 14

Two weeks had passed and fall was under wing the trees were wearing their bright yellow and brown leaves and the grass was losing its green shine and being replaced for a more golden color. Elita and the other dragonets were slowly reaching their full growth Elita still had a few more feet of growth before she stopped but as for the rest of the hatchings they were slowing down and maturing quickly. All the light breeds who only reached half way to a ton weights neck. All the runty breeds had stopped growing a week ago only a few were growing a few more inches but would grow no bigger than five draft horses.

Everyone was very excited when the hatchlings reached their full growth because once they reach maturity their power glands matured and that would determine how the dragonets were going to be trained for now on. A dragon's power gland is a special gland that allows a dragon to breathe fire or water in the case of water dragons. But not all dragons had a power gland it was tough to breed dragons that would produce a gland about five percent of all dragons in a hold had one.

The hatchlings were all examined by the surgeons who checked to see which dragonet had one and which didn't. The dragonets were separated know by class size , Elita and the Blooder Thorn being the only ton weights in the class were trained together while the others were separated to light weights to runtys.

Elita wasn't very impressed with the whole idea of being separated from her friends more likely because she had to deal with the big Blooder Thorn who was quite a show off despite the fact Elita showed little interest in him. It wasn't a total loss at all Oliver and Oversia were assigned to their class as well since there was no other middle weight breeds in Vin's class so the teachers decided to let them join the ton weights since they were almost the same size. Oversia had gotten a little taller had reached his full growth two days ago. Know he was almost evenly sized with Elita whose fascination with the Winchester hadn't changed.

Vin on the other hand didn't feel so comfortable he and Oliver still weren't talking to each other and Vin wanted to but could never get the words right and always talked his way out of it.

Today was a rather boring day for everyone they were on break from training and Elita was sound asleep with Izzy snoring on her back and Dusty resting his head on her side. At least his and Ryan friendship was mended despite the fact of what happened between them, Ryan still made it obvious that he wanted him but Vin didn't feel the same . He would admit that he had some feelings for him but when he and Oliver kissed everything changed.

Vin was sipping his cup of digon when Elita woke up in a fright coughing furiously, she rouse to her hindquarters tossing poor Izzy off her back and into the dirt Dusty panicked and took flight circling overhead shrilling furiously. Vin ran to his beast side as she thrashed around and around her blue eyes were red and watery as she screamed "IT BURNS!'' Vin tried to calm her down so he could see what was hurting her she shouted again " My chest it burn it burns!'' she coughed and a dark cloud of smoke came out of her mouth blackening his face.

Vin didn't understand until two surgeons came running to her aid both of them had a needle in their hands and stuck in right into her chest. She screamed once before she relaxed all her muscles seemed to relax and she let out another cloud of smoke. One of the surgeons patted her head while the other placed his ear against her side. Vin rushed to his dragon and hugged her head scratching her chin "That feels better.'' She rumbled and smoke began to stream from her nose, her eye once again returned to their light blue and the surgeon patted his shoulder "It's alright lad everything's fine.'' He said and smiled as the other surgeon and elderly man with a gray beard laughed "Congratulations lad you have got yourself a fire breathing Black Widow.''

Vin couldn't believe what he just heard his Elita a fire breather it seemed too good to be true. " Are you sure?'' he asked both the surgeons nodded their heads " Yes that's the first sign smoke is the first to come then she'll start shooting out flames and you better look out when she does.'' The gray bearded surgeon chuckled "We gave her to injections of counter vine this will loosen the pressure around her gland and let the smoke come out it smoother streams.'' The surgeons gave her a gentle pat "Will alert the breeders they'll want to know of this and I'll make sure to tell the training master.'' Then they left not before giving him clear instruction that Elita was to stay away from any dry hay or grass and to go into the lake to cool down her body which will overheat as her body tries to balance it.

Elita was quite pleased with her new ability but very unhappy about all the after effects. She wadded to into the water and steam started to come off her body as she cooled down. Ryan and Carson joined him Dusty and Izzy quickly flew in to join her. Watching his beauty Vin sighed "Well I'm sure that feels better.'' And Elita hummed "Yes it does feel much better it doesn't feel so stuffy inside me.'' and she dove deeper into the lake. " Congratulations to you Vin.'' Ryan said smiling at him "Thank you.'' He said smiling back, Carson coughed "Well you'll be extremely valuable know since not only is she able to see at night but she can also breath fire she'll be a double threat in the war.'' He said and cleared his throat.

"I hope my Izzy has a gland that be just grand we need more Finchys that can breathe fire from their spikes.'' He said pondering at the idea.

Vin shook his head "I wouldn't count my eggs before they hatch, my father's got only two fire breathers on his own ranch and they were hard to produce. Even a dragon with both parents with a gland probably won't have one it's a very rare trait that's hard to pass on.'' Ryan nodded in understanding "But it's good to think about.'' They all agreed.

Elita finally well cooled down flew out of the lake and hovered above to dry herself in the fading sun, the others had left him to go back to training he was given leave do to his dragon's condition. Elita landed with a thud "I'm hungry.'' She purred as she pushed her massive head into his chest "Ok my dear let's get you feed and then I can get a bath myself.'' She hummed "You look clean enough to me.''

Elita pounced on a steer as soon as they arrived other dragons were feeding as dragging their kills into the grass to feed. Oversia was there he was circling the pen waiting for the big Blooder Thorn to move, Thorn had to steers in his talons and was having difficulty rising with his prizes finally annoyed with the wait Oversia dived down and snatched a sheep from the pen the creature screaming in his talons, he quickly killed midair . Overisa much older than Elita was becoming a fine young dragon he and Oliver's training would be over soon and they would be assigned to a wing shortly. The Winchester dove down again and snatched a goat this time landing nearby to feed. Oliver was at the pen watching the other dragons take their turn; Elita had just killed another steer and was gliding into the field. Thorn finally managed to get off the ground and landed just over the pen with his catches and ate greedily.

Vin walked over to Oliver swallowing his fear he gave a weak "Hello.''. Oliver smiled "Hey there haven't seen you around lately.'' He smirked as Oversia attempt another dive at a goat only to be intercepted by Whisper named Olive snatched his catch and landed nearby her rider a girl named Maryland who gave an apologetic smile towards them. "No harm done.'' Oliver shouted towards her though Oversia thought otherwise as he landed next to them "That was my kill.'' He hissed as Elita glided down to join them "There are more goats mister grouchy pants.'' Oliver kidded his dragon and patted his leg "But it was mine.'' Oversia snorted and rumbled as his rider scratched his chin trying to placate him.

Vin smiled "Well I'm glad to see you two haven't changed completely.'' He said and both Oversia and Oliver laughed "Yeah were still the same old pair.'' He said and patted his dragon "Off you go to the pavilion you've eaten enough anyways and we have to leave early to for training then go off on courier duty.'' Oversia sighed and took off Elita looking on "Go on my dear I'll be there in a minute.'' He said sensing her hesitation she nodded in thanks gave his hair a playful tussle and took flight fallowing the Winchester.

Oliver watch her go "She sure is something...'' he started looking at Vin who smiled "Yeah she is.'' Vin added looking at his purple jewel disappear into the night. "So is her rider.'' Oliver said coming closer to Vin who didn't move "I'm nothing special just and average person with a special dragon.'' He murmured "Vin you are special just like your dragon. A rider makes the dragon just as the dragon makes the rider both are equals.'' He said firmly that Vin averted his eyes for a second then looked back up at Oliver's face who smirked "I haven't seen you in a while. If I didn't know better I'd say you were avoiding me.''

Oliver froze for a second, "So he was avoiding me.'' Vin said to himself, Oliver kicked at a nearby rock "In truth I was giving you space after what had happened that day.'' He said not wanting to look Vin in the eye "I figured that was the reason and I've been meaning to talk to you about the whole thing.'' "No don't say anything I was at fault I should…never have done what I done and for that I'm sorry "he said sadly "No, no don't be sorry I'm not blaming you but rather I'm trying to thank you.'' He said Oliver titled his head oddly "Thank me?'' he said slowly. " Yes. Let me explain.''

Vin told Oliver what had happened after their kiss, Oliver listened intently he left out what had happened between him and Ryan but he did tell him about his conversation with Luna. "And after all that I finally realized I like men I have absolutely no interest in women.'' He said finally proud of himself for saying it aloud. Oliver looked at him not saying anything until Vin sighed "So now you know.'' and Oliver smiled "You've had quit a mental adventure.'' He smiled " So what does this mean, for I'm sure you know once word gets out that you fancy men every Monoe rider and any other man who fancies men will be on high alert.'' He joked Vin flushed "They may try but I've no interest in them.'' He said so firmly that Oliver was taken back.

They stood quietly near the pen the last of the dragons having left with their captains to go to bed. Oliver was the first to speak "So who are you interested in?'' he asked looking at Vin who shook his head "No one really.'' He said lying to himself he knew deep down that he loved Oliver from the day they meet to the day they kissed but he wasn't sure of Oliver's feelings for him. Oliver shook his head "Well let me know if you do. It's getting late and I need to sleep.'' He said fallowing the trail towards the pavilions soon the dragonets would be too big for them and would be moved into their own caves.

Vin fallowed his heart racing as he followed Oliver who he couldn't help but notice that Oliver was more muscular then before and taller. When they came to the dragons both sound asleep curled up around each other. Oliver smiled at them as he walked over to his spot by Oversia's side. Vin out of nowhere grabbed Oliver's arm and pulled him back into the darkness away from the lanterns light. Before he could say anything Vin had locked his lips to Oliver's and he responded completely it was a rough but passionate kiss.

Oliver pulled away and smiled "What was that?'' he asked smiling at vin who blushed and turned away "It's you I want Oliver I love you.'' He said and Oliver grabbed his face and kissed him gently "I know and I love you too.'' Vin blushed again they smiled at each other.

Oliver locked lips with Vin again his tongue forcing its way into his mouth their tongues wrestled for dominance. Vin moaned it felt so good to him to be with Oliver all his doubts and fears were gone. Oliver lead the way into the pavilion their lips still locked Oliver and Vin were in the hay kissing each other furiously. Vin had to pull at an over excited Oliver's hands who were reaching for his pants they both stopped to take a breath sweat dropping from their brows " I though…you.. wanted this?'' Oliver asked trying to catch his breath "I do want this but I don't want to rush things.'' Vin said Oliver sighed "I guess I can wait but don't take too long.'' He said and rolled off of Vin not before kissing him "I need a bath and so do you. You reek of training.'' He joked and headed towards the bathes Vin close behind both hand in hand. Neither of them knew that the whole time both Oversia and Elita had watch the whole thing with one eye each both hummed in approval of the match.