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"The winner of this year's jousting competition is...", the voice of the announcer boomed over us. It's obviously him, I thought to myself holding on to my dragon's neck.
"Kao Kittipat from the Isle of Nowhere!", the cheers broke out from the crowd and he rose up with his own dragon to receive the price from the higher platform. I rolled my eyes at his smug expression and took my leave.
Jousting is a sport which is usually played mounted on a horse with a lance in our hands. The task is to dismount the opponent. Here we play it a little differently. We have dragons as our domestic pets so this game is usually played with them. Our dragons are tamed by us, everyone starts getting a baby one by the age of 15 and they grow to their full length till we turn 30. I got Atty, at the age of 10, as I'm the son of the chief of the village and I met Atty in the woods. We are inseparable ever since.
The jousting competition took place bi-annually and I always won those till some good for nothing but the good looking guy showed up out of nowhere and took my place. We flew away from the arena to avoid nags from peers and the family. We flew aimlessly over our island before descending on the neighbouring one.
It all started when Kao Kittipat showed up around the last full moon day. No one knew where he came from but they welcomed him with open arms because he was sick, or at least that is what I heard from the other villagers. He got on his feet a few days later and my father being a good chief asked him to stay longer. He invited him to join us with the jousting training to which he gladly accepted. I avoided him as much as possible because as he started training he was better in every aspect which didn't fit well with me.
I was the best sportsman and fighter among my peers and I know I'm boasting but it is the truth. Atty and I grew up winning competitions and protecting the island sometimes. Everyone adored me but now he was stealing all that not just with his looks but also his personality which is flawless, to be honest. I tried looking for faults but he is just too good to be true. The other day, I tried pissing him off by accidentally spilling my drink over him but he said,
"Oh, It's okay, I'll wash it away and wear another one."
The other one, while we were training he slipped off a dragon and Atty and I caught him before he could touch the ground. Instead of thanking me, his dragon kept glaring and growling like a dog. His dragon's name was PolarSnow or Po as he called it. It was a beautiful creature with a white coat all over. It had big eyes which changed colours from golden to purple. Atty befriended it easily but I couldn't even step close to it.
Kao had also won the hearts of innocent villagers by taming some wild beasts. He didn't know how to fight but he had his way with the dragons which made him more attractive for the other and repulsive for me.
I threw a stray stone in the water which startled Atty while he was busy pawing the fishes. He looked up at me and cocked his head from side to side blinking at me.
"Sorry, I'm just pissed.", I replied. He shook his head and continued fishing as it was nothing new for him.
"You should be here comforting me but instead of that you are playing in the water without a care.", I muttered under my breath as I laid on the soft grass watching the colours of the sky change from blue to orange and red.
It was almost dark when Atty threw a pile of fish at my feet. I looked at him trying to smile with his big mouth. He had caught enough fish for our dinner. I walked to him and petted his nose affectionately to show my appreciation.
"Good boy."
I light up a fire and started grilling the fish over it. Atty was curled up beside me eating his own. My escapades from the village was a common thing. Therefore, no one questioned me or my whereabouts. We had dinner with the cicadas buzzing around with some fireflies trying to pester Atty. The night got deeper and Atty was curled up beside me listening to a tuneless song I was humming to myself. He then nudged me with his nose.
"What?", I asked and he replied with a whine.
"Fine, let's go home."
He perked up and spread out his wings to take a flight
"You only love flying up?", I teased him as I climbed on his back. He huffed at me as if to say,
"As if you don't like it Pete."
"Oh, I love it too, Atty, I love it so much."
We flew back to our village Island and fly over it once watching small fire pits which were dying down with some smoke rising up. The party might have broken a while ago, I thought to myself as we descended slowly in front of our house.
There we saw PolarSnow curled up right outside the barn where Atty rested. I guess it sensed our presence, so he lifted his head and stared at us.
"What are you doing here? And where is your master?", I asked him curiously. It kept staring at me tilting his head to the left. I started walking towards him but he started scowling which froze me in my place.
"Don't.", a voice almost like a whisper echoed in my head. I stared at it curiously and then heard a sound, a whimper to be exact. He again curled himself up into a better position and looked on the other side.
"I don't mean harm okay?", I said calmly, glancing at Atty as he too stared at him with curiosity. Atty was bolder than me so he nudged his wing and PolarSnow whined a little pulling it to himself.
"Cold Po.", another sound and it was definitely Kao. I wondered if he ate Kao up alive. He gauffed up as if he heard my thoughts and unfurled himself. His wings lifted slowly like a curtain revealing his owner.
Kao was curled up hugging the beast's neck. His face was pressed in the soft fur and he shivered with the sudden cold air from outside. His pale skin was paler than usual, another shiver ran down his spine and he complained in a hoarse voice.
"Po..."
I took a step closer to him and the dragon slammed its fang-like wing at my feet.
"I mean no harm", I held my hands up in defeat, "Let me take him to a warmer place.", I glanced at Atty for help but he was busy staring at us amused without exchange.
"Please?"
His deep purple eyes bored into mine before he reluctantly moved its wing. I slowly moved towards Kao while his eyes followed my every step. I pried his arm from the dragon's neck and wrapped them around mine. I lifted him up securing his waist and legs in my arms. He snuggled his face in the crook of my neck and whimpered. The dragon heard that and his expression again became fierce.
"Take good care of my master.", his deep tone echoed in my mind again. I nodded at him curtly and carried Kao inside. I laid him on my bed and removed his gladiators. I even loosened up his clothes to air his skin. It was just flawless like him which glowed slightly in the moonlight. I touched his forehead with mine to check the temperature. I pulled away from him rubbed my thumb over his pale skin but again jumped away thinking of how creepy it was.
"He is burning up, where are the blankets?", I wondered to myself and rampaged under the bed to look for the sheepskin blankets mother stored for us.
"Po~", he groaned and shuffled on the bed. I poked my head from under the bed and caught him curling in a ball. Why is he like a kitten? He has a mole on his nose, how cute? Wait, did I just say cute? Ugh, Pete Phubodin, get your mind out of the gutter, I scratched the back of my head, thinking about the comforter when Kao giggled,
"So messy.", his droopy eyes stared at me with mirth.
"Sleep", I surprised myself with my tone. I ruffled his hair and he closed his eyes. I finally pulled out the comforter and tucked him in. I walked out of the room to wash up before sleeping.
I was about to get some water when I noticed my reflection, my hair was sticking out in all different directions. I looked like a homeless so I picked some water and cleaned my face to be more presentable. I was about to walk back in when noticed the white dragon still perched outside. It was staring at my door longingly.
"Rest in the barn.", I said to him. He perked up at my voice but continued watching the door intently waiting for his master to make a voice so he could barge in.
"He is sleeping soundly.", the tone of voice assured him and he turned around and walked into the barn. I took a bowl of water back for Kao.
I took a clean cloth and water bowl to wipe him, the cloth hardly touched his face when he started shivering.
"Such a baby.", I muttered under my breath as I continued wiping down his smooth skin. I reached his chest and wondered if it was okay to continue. He was a sick person, I should so I loosened up his shirt and let my hand slide underneath it. I could feel he was very toned underneath. I quickly finished wiping him off and was about to leave when he caught my arm and snuggled his face in my stomach.
"Po... you are so warm.", he mumbled before falling asleep again.
"I guess I'll have to sleep here only now.", I dropped the cloth on the side table and lay beside him. He snuggled closer in search of warmth. I wrapped my arms around him and he was like a piece of lost puzzle which fit. Before I could drown in my thoughts of possibilities sleep enveloped and I fell into a peaceful slumber after a long time.
***
The next morning, I woke up to a pretty pale face. My eyes zoomed over his long lashes, the tip of his nose which had a mole and plump lips. I felt something flutter in my stomach.
"What am I doing?", I questioned myself and got out of bed. I picked out some clothes for the day when I noticed the full count. Is it today? Damn it, how can I forget it? I quickly dress up and walk into the main house to see mother cooking in the Kitchen and Father working on his papers.
I was about to walk out of the door after saying, "I'll be back late", but my father's voice stopped me in my tracks, "Have the soup before you leave."
He said so sternly that I had to oblige. Mother gave me a worried look but went out to pour me a bowl.
"The new kid slept over last night due to fever, please save some soup for him mother.", I informed my mother before she could start you should have told me a lecture.
"How is it?", she asked instead.
"It is good as always.", I smile curtly at her as she remembered it was someone's favourite.
"Take some with you.", she packed some for me before I could protest. For a moment I was glad she remembered.
I walk out and throw open the barn door to let out two excited dragons.
"PolarSnow, you can go to my room. He is feeling better. Don't break anything, otherwise, your master will have to repair it for me."
He scoffed and passed by nudging me with its tail.
"Come on Atty, we have to be somewhere."
I quickly climbed on his back and took the reigns. We circled over the hustling bustling village once before flying away from it. We reached our destination and I spot the tree happily swaying with the wind. The fruit on it had started ripening beautifully. I sat under it and patted the branch fondly.
"I wish you were here.", I said out loud. Atty circled the tree and rested his head on one of the roots which had sprouted out. I opened the soup packet and kept it as an offering after completing the simple rituals. I start talking to her about life, adventures, competitions and one person who infuriates me but still make me want to care for him. I'm only greeted with silence and some ruffling of the trees. The tranquil moment is broken by wings flapping and PolarSnow descending in front of me.
A very furious Kao jumps off and lands smoothly on the ground in front of me. He marches up to me and held me by my shirt. His dragon flaps its wings and flew off. We were to close for my liking just like last night. It was making me feel warm that he actually came looking for me but then I remember I should be here alone.
"What are you doing here?", I ask him annoyed at his attitude.
"What are you doing here?", he asked angrily, "You are here all day and everyone has been looking for you back at home."
"They know I always escape", I murmured under his scrutinizing gaze.
"Pete Phubodin!", Kao's voice had an edge, "The world doesn't revolve around you. They have other responsibilities other than running behind some spoiled brat whose life is always on the edge."
That fueled me up, "Well Kao Kittipat! I didn't ask them or you to babysit me. I can very well take care of myself when I'm in danger."
"Running away is not always an option Pete!", he shoved me away shouting, "You have people out there who care and some even look up to you as a leader. Just because you couldn't save that one person doesn't mean that you are going to loose all of them."
It hit me like a pile of bricks, how did he know,
"What do you know about it?", I scoffed.
"I know enough to say that she won't be happy looking at you like this."
I looked back at the tree and Atty had flown away from it. I stared at it as her laugh echoed in my ears.
"'Pete, you cannot defeat me', she used to boast", I started narrating as my knees buckled and flopped on the ground. I could feel his gaze boring into my back.
"What had happened?", he asked sternly.
"There were mysterious killing going on the outskirts of the Island. My sister was on the council when discussion took place. The verdict was to send a killing party to check on them."
Kao had settled beside me and was listening with rapt attention
"She volunteered with some other vikings. A few weeks later, they all returned without her. The who was sabotaging people had been destroyed but it also killed her they said. I couldn't believe that and went to look for her. She was physically fine when I found her but her spirit was gone. Her eyes were lifeless as she stared at me with a ghost of a smile. She stabbed herself while I stood there helplessly. Her dragon, Leona, had died few days before. It was much later, I understood that she had lost her mate."
"You couldn't have saved her, Pete, the loss of losing a mate is different.", he said gently.
"I could have...", I groaned ,"If only I had tried. She was my second mother.", a lone tear escaped my eye. He slung his arm around me and pulled me towards him. I let myself breakdown in his comforting arms. It was the first time I had told someone about her and grieved. He sat there silently comforting me rubbing his hands down my arms. The wings flapping at a distance pulled us out of our reverie.
"Why are you here, Kao?", I finally asked the question which was lingering on my mind since the day he landed here.
"I'm dying, Pete.", he said softly as his dragon laid his head beside him and looked at his master lovingly, "Its the same as your sister."
"D-did your mate die?"
He turned to me and there I saw it for the first time, his lifeless eyes.
"No, I can't find him."
"They say it comes to us when the time is right."
"I know but what if he doesn't know he has a mate or worse what if he is not ready to acknowledge me?"
That made me speechless. I glanced at the boy beside me. The dusk fell over us like a shroud.
"Will you live if you meet him?"
He scoffed, "Maybe, after all he will be my only family after Po.", He patted the dragon's head.
"Why? Where is your family?"
"I lost them in the great winter before I escaped it with Po."
"I'm sorry for your loss, Kao."
"Its okay, it was a long ago.", he sniffled and wiped his nose before continuing, "Anyways, I was here to thank you for taking care of me last night. Po said you took good care of me."
"Can he talk?"
"Po is a girl and no she is uses telepathy."
"Ohh, you are a guest here, I was trying to be a good host for once."
"Thank you Pete, you are a good guy. I'll take my leave now."
"Where are you going?"
"We are flying back North."
My heart sank at the news. Just when I made peace with him for the first time and he was leaving.
"What? You don't want me to leave?", he was amused with my expression.
"Will you stay if I say yes?", I answered with a question.
"Maybe?"
"Then stay, Kao Kittipat, we have a lot of adventures waiting for us."
***
6 months later
"Pete, do you ever wonder about your mate?", Kao asked
"I do sometimes but I think I'm better without her."
"What makes your think that they would she?"
"Instinct."
We were lying under the Mew's tree again gazing at the stars. Kao laughed softly but it was music to my ears. I glanced at him and saw his eyes gleaming with merth. His plump lips were slightly chapped and I had a sudden urge to taste those. I turned to his side supporting myself on my elbows and leaned down to capture them leaving Kao surprised. I nibbled on his lower lip till he started kissing me back with same passion. We pulled away for air after a while and I whimpered at the loss.
"What was that for?", Kao asked blushing.
"That is for my mate.", I replied. It didn't come as a sudden realization, it was over this time I saw him change little by little and today's kiss just confirmed it.
"Finally.", Kao sighed.
"You knew it all this time?", I asked him incredously.
"I realised it after knowing you for a month."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"It was for you to discover."
"Well, I hope its not too late now.", I said leaning in again for a kiss.