Training
Chapter 12 - Day Seven and Return


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Notes/Disclaimer: This fic is based solely on the Dinotopia movie, NOT the series. I apologize for any inconsistencies with the books. I don't apologize for any inconsistencies with the series because it bit. I don't own the movie, or the series, or the books. Thank you.
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Surprisingly, David's dreams that night were much tamer than usual. They were still of Sebastian, still of intimacy, but the urgent flavor had gone from them. Instead it was simply intimate, tender, and affectionate. David awoke to Sebastian's arm around him still, and a slight feeling of wonder that such a thing had come to him.

But, he reminded himself, it's ending here. Most likely. I mean, even if I did manage to get into the White Squad by some miracle, it's not like we could just be together so easily, is it? I mean, I'm sure the Squad gets divided up a lot. They're so much in demand. I bet I get lumped in with whoever else gets chosen to train with White. IF I get in at all, that is.

He looked down at the fingertips resting on his breastbone. It's impossible, isn't it? ...And how did I even come to be considering this? Have I changed that much? He had, he realized. For some reason he was no longer thinking in terms of whether he wanted anything to happen. Because he knew that he did. He was only now regretting that it couldn't.

I should probably get up, he thought, but he couldn't bring himself to break the embrace. In the end he lay still, half-dozing, until Sebastian finally began to stir and lifted the arm away to stretch.

David rose and prepared himself for the morning ride without making eye contact with Sebastian. Revelations or not, he was still completely embarrassed about what had happened. And a little scared as well. He settled his saddle on Freefall's back and mounted up, glancing furtively over to Sebastian, who was almost ready as well.

Sebastian flashed him a small smile as he mounted and gave the signal for them to take off.

This is the last time I'll see the canyon like this, David thought to himself. He took special care to take in the beauty of the place, one last time. One thing's for certain; regardless of what happens, this place definitely changed my life.

They ate breakfast quietly upon their return to the ledge, until David finally became restless. "What are our plans for today?" he asked.

"I figured we should just take it easy," said Sebastian. "We'll just do some leisurely flights around the canyon for the morning, just to keep you two limber, and then we'll eat lunch and go. It will take us a while to get back, and you'll want a full night's sleep for the test tomorrow, so it's probably best to leave as early as possible."

"Alright," David agreed, remounting Freefall. He paused for a moment, nervous. "Are you sure I have what it takes to do this? The test I mean," he said.

Sebastian grinned at him, though it looked a little more tired than usual. "I'm certain, David." He took a deep, fortifying breath and perked up a little. "Now come on! Let's go!"

Cliffdiver took off from the ledge, and David nudged Freefall to follow.

The packing went swiftly and they started on the long ride back. Unlike during his arrival, David stayed awake for the flight home and took in the scenery. The canyon went on for miles and miles, farther than he had thought. He eventually discovered that it was in fact a smaller offshoot of the enormous ravine that housed Canyon City.

By the time they got home, darkness had already fallen and the city seemed to be asleep. They landed on the central cliff and unsaddled their Skybax, placing the heavy saddles in a nearby shed built for that purpose. Returning from the shed, David gave Freefall a friendly pat on his haunch. "Rest well, Friend," he said. "We've got a big day tomorrow."

Freefall nodded and dropped off of the cliff. Next to David, Sebastian was also seeing Cliffdiver off.

After the birds left, the two men walked in companionable silence towards the dorms. David tried to keep the pace as slow as possible, but it still seemed a very short walk before they arrived at his door. He stopped and turned to Sebastian. "Well, we're here, I guess."

Sebastian took a deep breath and let it out in a sigh. "So we are. Well, I guess this is it then." He looked for a moment as though he were debating something, then stuck out his hand. "It was a pleasure working with you, David."

"You too." David took the hand, shook it, then used it to pull Sebastian into a hug. The White Rider seemed startled at first, but quickly returned the embrace with an unexpected fierceness.

David smiled as they broke apart. "Goodnight," he said quietly.

Sebastian said nothing for a moment. David's eyes widened slightly as Sebastian lifted his hand to brush his fingertips across David's cheekbone. With a sad little half-smile, Sebastian leaned in and gave him a feather-light kiss, just the tiniest brush of his lips against David's own. When he pulled back, he was still smiling.

"Goodnight, David," he said, "and goodbye."

As David watched, Sebastian turned and left without another word. So he's worried too, David thought. He doesn't think I can get into the White Squad, or if I do, he realizes that we couldn't be together like he wants. So that's... that's the last I'll ever see of him, most likely. Alone, anyway.

With a sigh, David turned and walked into his dorm, flopping down on his bed and staring at the ceiling. He wasn't sure how long he lay there, just staring and thinking, before he finally got up and changed out of his riding clothes, sliding under the sheets.

As he drifted off, he hoped that he would not dream that night; he would have to be well rested for the test the next day.

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