A/n: Yes, I am back. I'm fine, and here's the next update, I hope you enjoy! The usual disclaimer, DoP are not mine.
New Friends and Situations
"Hello, R'ahvin! Hello, K'dra's very nice looking derriere. How are you doing?"
Great, K'dra rolled her eyes heavenward, Just the person I wanted to avoid.
"Which one, me or my very nice looking derriere," K'dra quipped, feeling silly to be talking and not, uh, facing the person she was talking to properly.
R'ahvin chuckled, and K'dra could feel it through her stomach, a very peculiar sensation to say the least. She tried to crane her neck over her and R'ahvin's shoulder, but her wingleader just gave her rear a smart slap, eliciting a surprised yelp out of her. She twisted her neck to the side nearest him and glared at him, which he pointedly ignored.
K'vic laughed, his deep bellow echoing wonderfully in the amazing acoustics of the cavern and K'dra gave up on reserving even the slightest dignity. She was at the mercy of these two males.
"I think he like you there," K'vic grinned, still chuckling himself. K'vic wasn't heart stopping handsome like R'ahvin, but he was cute in a boyish way, even though he wasn't exotic looking.
He was standing to R'ahvin's immediate right, so K'dra could just make him out of the corner of her right eye if she concentrated enough, but she definitely felt his presence. He was giving her a cheeky grin, she didn't have to see him to know that, and she could only imagine the look on his mobile face at her predicament.
His eyes were a warm brown and his hair a sun streaked color just a shade lighter than his eyes, flopping in a straight, unruly mess over his eyes. He had a habit of brushing the locks aside, but they rebelliously flopped right back. K'dra had once suggested that he cut it, but he had just given her a look, and K'dra had wisely let it be.
"Well, you're looking in fine radiance today K'dra," K'vic was laughing quietly, eyes twinkling with good humor. "Let me guess…you're finally giving into my masculine charm and will bed and have your wicked way with me!"
K'dra couldn't help the laugh that bubbled out of her, though it was a bit strained. Her stomach and diaphragm still pressed against R'ahvin's shoulder made getting the necessary air somewhat difficult. She gave a shake of her head and started to twist, letting R'ahvin know, she wanted down now.
"K'vic you Sharding bastard, you ought to be ashamed," R'ahvin commented dryly, deciding to finally let his prize stand on her own two feet. Said prize gave him a Look, which he returned with a calm one of his own.
He wondered at the pang of emotion he felt at the mere thought of K'vic and K'dra together. It wasn't that he didn't like the brown rider, he did, he really did. He just wasn't fond of K'dra with him was all it was.
"Hmm, yes," K'dra agreed, laughing. That didn't stop her from reaching out and hugging K'vic, though.
"You should have put more swagger in, otherwise, you sound just like R'ahvin."
"Hey!" R'ahvin protested, eyes narrowing at the dark haired imp in front of him, who was smiling cherubically at him, her blue eyes sparkling as she got him back for the indignity of her escort.
Her teasing smile and flickering eyes laughed silently at him but K'vic wasn't so gracious. The traitorous brown rider laughed aloud, much like when he was talking to K'dra's back end.
"Aww, K'dra," he chuckled, eying his wingleader with merriment. "Don't insult me, please."
"I fail to see the part where you were insulted, brown rider," R'ahvin grumbled as the two laughed, but he wasn't that out of sorts. So what if he wanted to toss K'vic between for standing there still holding K'dra for longer than he thought necessary. And the little girl seemed to lap up the attention like some, some…
Green dragon? Xenith supplied helpfully from his perch on the cliff heights. She does ride a green. And that wasn't nice, Terranth hasn't shown any of the normal sexual tendencies of most greens her age and older yet. She may be one of the few who reflect her rider's lack of promiscuity.
That's because they're both still babes, R'ahvin groused as he and the other two sought places to sit for supper.
Terranth is nearly Two Turns and close to rising to mate for the first time. Her rider is more mature than many others of her dragon's age and experience, the great bronze reproved his rider.
Many dragons didn't bother with riders outside of their own, but R'ahvin had spent so much time thinking on this particular one, that he had studied her and her dragon closely to try and determine the attraction. And he knew his riders' moods, knowing R'ahvin was just being grumpy, and bringing him to task before he said something he was going to regret.
"Pern to R'ahvin, come in R'ahvin," K'dra waved her hand in front of his face to get his attention.
"Hmm?"
"Still with us?" K'dra smiled softly at him.
"Sure," he assured her, reaching out to grasp one of her hands, stroking it soothingly. K'dra relaxed imperceptibly.
"Lots on your mind leader of ours?" K'vic asked, slinging an arms around K'dra's shoulders, pulling her close enough that he could snatch some of her food.
"You could say that," R'ahvin replied, a bit distracted by their antics.
K'dra withdrew her hand out of R'ahvin's grasp to smack the brown rider on the arm, retrieving the stolen food before K'vic could eat it, and chomping down on the fruit in defiance, glaring at him the whole time. Said rider just gave an adorable smile.
"In that case, I'll leave you be," K'dra commented, her attention turning back to R'ahvin, ever mindful of others.
"It's all right, just some fe- things I need to work out." He smiled to placate the concerned green rider, hoping she wouldn't pick up that he was going to say feelings instead of the other.
R'ahvin's smile still made K'dra's stomach clench unexpectedly, but she also noticed he had been distracted ever since that day in the infirmary back at Thread's End Weyr. She had chalked it up to a combination of pain from Threadscore, his usual flirty self, and having come back to his home Weyr and getting back in the groove of things.
"Who doesn't?" K'vic retorted, taking a drink from his wine cup.
R'ahvin talked to her when necessary, since he was her wingleader, and still watched her with intensity, but he didn't approach her like he used to. Today, with the little toss over the shoulder bit, was the first time in weeks that he'd been so free in his actions and teasing.
K'dra felt somewhat adrift in an unknown Weyr by herself, but at least this time she had Terranth, who more than made up for a lack of familiar faces. Three other weyrlings from Terranth's Hatching had been transferred along, plus several of the older weyrlings from the two clutches previous had also been exchanged, so it wasn't as if she didn't know anyone. But she didn't know them know them, like Et'an or S'na, and she missed her best friends horribly. But she could never truly be alone with that wondrous dragon in her mind, with her constantly no matter where she went. That kind of security and love gave her a confidence she had forgotten she had in the tumult of transferring to Halcyon.
Besides, she and Terranth could still go between, Thread's End Weyr or Sonnette's Dawn hold only three heartbeats away should she wish, as long as they let either R'ahvin or the Weyrleaders know they were leaving, where, and how long they expected to stay. Since Terranth was so close to rising, she kept her in or very close around the Weyr, not wanting to chance anything with her precious darling dragon.
K'vic had befriended her almost immediately, wriggling and charming his way into her confidence, so much like S'na had the months before Impression that K'dra was immediately set at ease. K'vic, rider of brown Shimrath, being so similar to one of her best friends made it was easier to adapt and not feel so slighted by R'ahvin's distance.
The brown rider was even now trying not to frown at his wingleader. R'ahvin had been acting strange ever since he had come back from recruiting at Thread's End Weyr. He had overheard the Weyrwoman Sakura laughing to her mate S'gal that her brother R'ahvin was infatuated with the little green rider currently secured under his arm. But so far, the bronze rider hadn't made a move or a claim, which wasn't like him at all.
That little bit of eavesdropped conversation had kept K'vic from making a move on the pretty brunette himself, out of respect for a man who had been there for him since Shimrath broke his shell.
But if he doesn't make a move soon, I'll have no choice but to make one for him, K'vic smirked, knowing very well it wouldn't be for R'ahvin's sake that he would do so.
K'dra had fascinated him at first sight, for one, being so short and petite, a perfect match for the dainty little green she rode. K'vic had thought they looked so adorable as R'ahvin introduced them and the other recruits to the Weyr proper, and had rejoiced, upon discovering she would fill in one of the gaps in their wing. Thread's Bane Wing had lost two dragon pairs a few Falls back, losses that the tight knit squadron mourned, and hopefully the addition of Terranth, K'dra, and the other replaced rider and dragon would help get Thread's Bane up to par once more.
He had discovered she wasn't so much shy anymore as she was reserved and watchful, a cautiousness that drove K'vic to find out all he could about her. He had taken it upon himself to bug and annoy and to be a friend for her during her stay at Halcyon Weyr. He did hope that maybe, just maybe, she'd chose to stay so he could get to know her better.
When he did get to know her, he was surprised and thrilled at her meek response, and the past seven-days had been some of the best and most entertaining he'd experienced in a long while.
The trio was quiet as they set about the business of eating, R'ahvin and especially K'dra as she had been on sweep for most of the day and the Southern sun was merciless. K'vic took the time to study the little rider who even now remained at ease though his arm was still about her.
He had heard about Et'an and S'na, in fact, he'd listened in as the other riders from her native Weyr comment on the unusual relationship between the threesome, heard the speculation and rumors. Some was confirmed and others laughed off by the petite former merchant's daughter, he heard the sadness and loyalty in her voice and expression whenever she spoke of them. He knew that they had pulled off plenty of pranks in their time, underwent a good deal of criticism and gossip about their habits, such as snuggling up like a pile of canine pups together, even after they Impressed their respective dragons.
K'vic was aware in a way he hadn't previously that when K'dra gave her friendship, it actually meant something to her. He'd gone into his weyr and wept after she told him how lonely she felt; even surrounded by a crowd of family she was uncertain where she'd fit in. Was she the eldest daughter of Nikkos and Latonya, the baby sister to Gavin and Malachi, the elder cousin you went to when you had a scrape or bruise?
He'd felt anger when he finally found out about Prefan and his attempt at forcing a kiss and perhaps more out of K'dra. He was grim at thinking of the disowned Blood, but he didn't think he was that much of a threat to K'dra now that she was a dragonrider. That had a certain prestige and a built in security of Terranth, who while only a green and a tiny one at that, was still large enough that she could swallow a man with one gulp. If you wanted to get on a dragon's bad side, attacking said dragon's rider was a surefire way to get ripped to shreds.
Shimrath had to take K'vic on an extended patrol after that little bit to allow him to cool off, refusing to go to Sonnette's Dawn Hold, knowing that justice had already been meted out and K'vic would get over his anger eventually. Besides, wouldn't K'dra's closer friends at her Weyr have wanted to go after him as well but still resisted, them being excitable young weyrlings as well? K'vic couldn't argue his dragon's logic, though it still rankled him even now to think of it.
He came to himself as K'dra tickled his rib on his exposed side, still under his arm, and in a mood.
"K'dra!" he laughed, mock-glaring at the pixie faced green rider, who looked at him in mock asperity.
"Pay attention to me," she pouted, full lips not needing the action, but accentuating the gesture.
R'ahvin shook his head, some emotion passing over his face, abruptly standing up and excusing himself. K'dra and K'vic stared after their wingleader as he stomped out once he put his dishes in the washing soap.
"Who let Thread crawl up his butt and die," K'vic muttered, shaking his head.
"K'vic," K'dra laughed as she thumped his stomach to chide him, not minding it when K'vic's arm tightened and pulled her close. In fact, she was feeling in a remarkably frisky mood all a sudden, and she snuggled in closer. It surprised and pleased K'vic, and he adjusted his grip.
"Now this is nice," he teased the brunette, grinning down at her. She stuck her tongue out at him, laughing at his attempts to capture it.
"Yup," she agreed, cuddling as close as she could.
K'vic's body was warm, not uncomfortably so, and his heartbeat as soothing as the hand making lazy circle on up and down her back and side. Muscles that had been tense from sitting mounted all day long slowly began to ease, and K'dra hummed in contentment, eyes closing. K'vic was reminded of one of the Weyr's firelizards, laughing silently to himself at comparing this little beauty to the little flitters.
"Let's go someplace quieter," he suggested softly, picking up the change of moods, noting the docile rider at his side was passive and pliable.
She pouted, sending him into another round of chuckling, but giving him a mock glare, she pulled herself up, giving a dignified huff, and followed him out of the eating cavern, resuming her place under his arm once he'd risen from his seat.
"Where to?" he asked, breath tickling the back of her neck. The action had a particular thrill running through K'dra, who sucked in her breath at this sudden clarity of his maleness.
"Hmm?"
It was hard for her to think at the moment. She felt so…languorous.
"My weyr or yours," he reminded her, hiding his mirth. He had a sneaking suspicion on the cause of this new K'dra, wondering if she really knew what she was doing but deciding probably not. That didn't stop him from having his fun though.
"Yours…is closer," she grinned lazily up at him.
"You do realize my weyr is on the third tier," he cocked his head down at her, amused.
"Uh-huh."
"You can ride Shimrath with me, he won't mind."
No way! Terranth's indignant response echoed in both riders ears, along with her vocal bugle of annoyance, snapping K'dra out of her daze.
"I take it Terranth doesn't care for the idea," K'vic grinned as Shimrath came gliding off his weyr ledge where he'd been sunning to land lightly beside the irate little green who was nearly head and shoulders smaller.
She's MY rider, the little green's eyes whirled red and yellow and orange in her offense.
"Terranth, it's okay, he was only being polite. I love you, and of course I'm your rider," K'dra called out, as she left K'vic's side somewhat reluctantly to soothe the irritated drake. She stroked and petted the large muzzle, humming softly as the little emerald dragon finally calmed down.
"Will you take me to Shimrath's weyr, dear heart?" she asked, coaxing the spitfire green into a better mood.
Of course! You are my rider and you ride me everywhere, and I take you where you need to go. Terranth gave a snort and if she could have, K'dra was sure her lifemate would have rolled her eyes.
"All right," K'dra chuckled, then mounted in a graceful leap borne of practice and assisted by a proffered foreleg up. K'vic had mounted Shimrath, waiting patiently, and then gestured for them to head aloft.
She followed Shimrath to the brown's weyr on the third tier, hovering for a moment until the brown and his rider had entered in the weyr before moving to land delicately on the more than accommodating weyr ledge. K'dra dismounted and stroked Terranth on the neck and her muzzled, reaffirming the green's status as her one and only, and told her K'vic and Shimrath had given permission for her to sun herself on the ledge for as long as they were visiting.
Mollified, the green snorted and ducked her head again, giving her rider an affectionate nudge toward the weyr entrance.
"In here!" K'vic called from inside and K'dra soon found herself inside the darker lit weyr, whose stone cavern was so much cooler than outside.
"Do you like it?" K'vic teased, catching her inspection, and handing her a goblet of wine.
More to be polite than any great preference for the drink, she took a sip, finding a seat, and placing the cup carefully next to her on the inn table. She wasn't in the mood to drink, that wasn't what she came for, nor was it what she felt she needed.
"Nice place…lost of space," she found herself grinning back at the cute rider.
"There is," he acknowledged with a nod, coming around with his own goblet, sitting next to her on the couch. He placed his wine on the other table, and quickly divested himself of riding jacket and overtunic, boots carelessly tossed aside, belt unbuckled and joining the pile. At her host's quick motion, K'dra followed suit, sighing in relief at getting rid of the sweaty and confining clothes.
Sighing, she wasted no time in snuggling close; she missed snuggling. She and S'na had snuggled with Et'an while their dragons had played or slept together as well.
"I don't think you're usually like this," K'vic mused, holding her close. "But I won't complain."
K'dra paused, stopping herself as she was rubbing her cheek against his chest like a feline scent marking, and sat up her eyes wide.
"I'm not…I'm sorry. Terranth…"
"Is going to rise soon and the most likely cause for your recent…overly friendliness."
"Oh, I'm so sorry," K'dra blushed, downcast eyes missing the sparkle in the older rider's eyes. "I really do like you…"
"I appreciate that. Like I said, I'm not complaining," K'vic grinned once he resumed eye contact. "K'dra, if this is how you're going to react with Terranth being proddy, it's a
good thing. Most riders get real irritable and obnoxious, a complete terror to be around."
"It just that, Et'an and S'na and I used to just cuddle up like that at the end of the day or during the rest period, at least until S'na and K'tal became weyrmated, and I miss it…it's a habit and I really, really do like you and you make me feel comfortable and safe…"
"Hey, it's okay, it's okay," K'vic's hands came up to caress and hold her neck, effectively soothing and calming her, stilling her movements.
The hands on her neck possessed a heat of their own, a satisfying sort of tingle and burn, that wasn't disagreeable in the least. K'dra's breath caught in her chest, eyes wide, as that fire spread through out her body.
Ever watchful of her moods and reactions, K'vic noticed and his eyes darkened in response to that heat. K'dra's heart started thumping wildly in anticipation.
"Terranth might rise," she breathed, even as she leaned in closer to K'vic's ready and willing body.
"Not tonight," he replied, last word lost as his lips closed the distance to claim her own in a gentle meeting. When she didn't pull away or resist, he deepened the kiss, hands moving off her neck traveling lower to pull her against him.
K'dra was awash in emotion and sensation, everything amplified as Terranth delved into her mind curiously, feeling the echo as Shimrath joined with K'vic. Such a tight circle of shared emotion and feeling was almost enough to swamp K'dra, but K'vic kept tight control, helping her through the tides and waves of this new familiarity. They pulled away with a gasp, each mutually out of breath and flushed with the experience.
That was nice, Terranth sounded pleasantly surprised, unconsciously echoing her riders thoughts. But the addition was all Terranth. About time.
"Terranth," K'dra half-growled, half-moaned, and K'vic laughed.
"This is your first time?" he guessed knowingly, though he already suspected it was.
"Kissing? No, but the first time that Terranth and the other rider's dragon was involved like that. That was…amazing," K'dra blushed again as she realized how she sounded.
K'vic chuckled, even as he knew he was about to make her even more uncomfortable.
"Yes it was…but that wasn't what I was referring to. We can stop if you wish."
He ducked his head and used two fingers to tilt her chin up so she could meet his eyes. K'dra was now flushing and it wasn't from the kiss. She could feel the pounding of her heart, the pulse of blood as it raced through her veins on the rush of adrenaline, but most of all, she could hear Terranth's not so quiet encouragement. This was what the irascible dragon child had wanted her rider to experience since S'na had started with her relationships.
Terranth? K'dra wanted to make sure she had her dragon's complete agreement before she did something that she could never take back.
Go on, I do not mind. Nor does Shimrath. It will be good for you. You enjoyed the kiss and so did I.
"Terranth says she doesn't mind," K'dra spoke from the circle of his arms, once again lowering her eyes..
"That's good, because her opinion matters a great deal. However, do you want to continue? Because I think you know where this will lead."
K'dra took in a deep breath, steadying her mind to prepare it for what she was going to do, then raised her face and gently caught K'vic's mouth in another kiss.
That answers that, Shimrath snorted from his weyr, amused as he shared his rider's thoughts. His head was pointed toward the sleeping chamber, eyes whirling idly.
K'vic was gentle and unhurried, making sure to pace himself and going only as far as K'dra felt comfortable with. His patience was rewarded as the bashful K'dra gradually overcame her discomfort once all the clothes were off and started to respond more ardently to his requests upon her body.
"It's okay, easy now," was his soothing mantra that chased away all K'dra's doubts, reassuring her.
They came together several more times after that, each time with increasing confidence, until long after the sun had chased itself across the sky, plunging this side of Pern in the comforting embrace of twilight.