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"Wow! That was a wild match!" Fangirls...Orion could have done without them, really. Not that he minded getting positive attention, but they tended to go a good bit farther than the typical fan. "You looked awesome out there! I got 186 pictures!" Like that...that was more footage of Orion than he wanted to be in someone else's hands. There was a small crowd of them, hopefully they hadn't all taken that many...

"Ah. Well, I appreciate your enthusiasm!" He still tried to put on a good smile for the young ladies - he wasn't a jerk, after all. "But that was just an exhibition, it wasn't that intense compared to the championship. We were mostly just enjoying ourselves out there, right Bunk?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah!" Bunk rubbed his head, grinning a bit uncertainly. "Sorry, wasn't really listening. Oh, I think someone out there didn't enjoy themselves as much as we did..." He took a bit of a glance back at the scowling blue dragon that had been one of the foes they'd faced off against. "Heh, I'd probably be pretty peeved if I got one-shot out there, too."

"That was an incredible sight!" gushed another fangirl. "For you to just put him down like he was nothing like that! It was amazing! No wonder you're the best!"

"Ha ha, thanks!" Bunk played it off like it was nothing...really, it had been more luck than anything, but that wasn't something the fans enjoyed hearing most of the time. "Yeah, so, I think we've gotta get going, though. Stuff to do and all that."

Orion looked up at Bunk curiously. "Huh? What've we got going on? And why wasn't I consulted?"

"Ah, well, it's not something that was planned, just something that's kinda happened! But we've gotta go enjoy our victory a bit, too, right?"

Orion was pretty perplexed by this. Bunk wasn't usually that coy around him these days...maybe it was something he didn't want getting out to the fans around them? He couldn't imagine what that was, but Bunk had been rather distracted at the end of the day's matches...still, it seemed like as good an excuse as any to duck the crowd. "Ah, well, I suppose we should get moving then-"

"Ah! Please! Let me get an autograph!" Another fangirl shoved her way up. "Please sign something for me, Orion!"

"Whoa! Sorry, but I don't have autograph stuff with me-"

"That's all right! I've got a marker right here! And you can sign my underwear!"

Orion's eyes shot open wide, and Bunk took that as his cue to intervene. He swooped in behind Orion, holding out a big hand to keep the girl away. "Sorry, no one's allowed to give autographs without using approved stuff. Undies are a big no-no. But if you want something to remember us by, take a few pics of us!" That was all the warning Orion got before Bunk's big arms swooped around him, pulling him into a tight embrace as Bunk knelt behind him. There was a lot of awwing and the sound of pictures being snapped as Bunk nuzzled into his buddy's face, Orion blushing but smiling in spite of the whirlwind of activity around him.

The move had a second purpose as well, though, as Bunk lifted Orion in the air and held him close as he pushed through the crowd, forcing them to part at his much larger presence. This finally allowed them to get away from the excitement a bit, as they were able to get outside and to where most people were more focused on departing than anything. Only then did Orion trust himself to speak up. "Laying it on a bit there, bud?"

"What, can't I show how much I care to my buddy?" teased Bunk.

"It felt like you were about five seconds from making out with me there."

"Three, but who's counting? Relax, I was just distracting them, they weren't ready for me to start moving through them."

"Speaking of distractions...what's gotten into you? Your head's been in the clouds the last little bit here."

"Ah...uh, well, I'll explain in a little bit." Bunk's expression got a touch more uncertain. "Let's go celebrate first, we can talk about that afterwards!"

"Huh? All right. But now you've got me all curious!"

"Aheh, it's just something I want to make sure I know what I'm talking about before I say anything! Now c'mon, my stomach's kicking me! I've gotta get a few burgers in me!"

Orion rolled his eyes. "You and your burgers. All right, let's get going!" He made a mental note to eat light, because he had a feeling he was likely to get a lot of Bunker in him before the day was done...

---

To say it had been going well for them was probably an understatement. Orion and Bunk were living the dream.

It had been close to three years since that fateful day...the day that everything almost fell apart completely. Back then, Bunk had been ordered by his father, the famous Drum, to come take his place as chieftain of the Drum Bunker Dragon tribe...a role Bunk hadn't wanted, but hadn't felt he could refuse, not when Drum was insistent on it. On top of that, he was plagued by feelings of lust for his partner that he didn't think were appropriate. He'd been less than forthright about everything then, and it had predictably used Orion, who'd laid some harsh words on him in the midst of a drunken anger...harsh words that had finally woken Bunk up once he'd truly listened to them. Somehow, it had helped him find the stones to refuse his father, and to express the truth to Orion about his feelings, which were clearly reciprocated. It felt like the world had righted itself once again.

Then a few months later came the next destabilization. Drum had come into their lives for a bit, claiming to want to get to know the buddy that had his son so attached while in reality searching for any reason to force Bunk back into the life that he had intended for his son. Seeing the two getting intimate had really riled him up, to the point where Bunk and Drum were engaged in a no-holds-barred slugfest over their conflict. Just when Bunk was on the ropes, though, Orion had stepped in, throwing Drum's own issues in his face - his lust for his own buddy that he'd left behind, that he'd never been able to properly deal with - and after a few choice shots from Bunk, Drum had finally relented for real and left Bunk to live his life they way he wanted. It was Bunk's sister Kera who was instead taking on the mantle of chieftain, the first female in the history of the clan to do so.

Since then, things had gone far more smoothly. Allowed to be themselves and love as they wanted, they did so, and they used that heat-forged bond to carry themselves to glory. Winners of multiple big tournaments, including two championships, and considered one of the best duos in the world, they had come storming back from their slump at the start of the mess to reign supreme. Sure, they still had their moments...two fiery personalities, there was the occasional clash between them, but nothing close to what they'd dealt with successfully, and they always came to terms afterwards. And when it came to their matches, they were always able to set aside anything in the way and come together to deliver the performances they'd gotten to be known for.

There was plenty of speculation about the secret to their success...none had found out the true nature of the relationship between the two, it was something they kept fiercely guarded. It wasn't a union that was entirely unprecedented, but it wasn't something that had widespread acknowledgement, either, and they certainly didn't want to be the ones to test how the public would react to the idea of human-dragon relations. Besides that, it suited them not having people prying into their private business like that - some might have valued openness, they preferred their privacy.

"Hard to believe it's going on three years," observed Orion as they settled in their home after their burger trip. "Never would have imagined how things would end up back then...glad we got past the roller coaster intact."

"Yeah, I won't say no to never having THAT kind of stress in my life again," agreed Bunk. "I can think of a lot of ways I wish I'd done things differently so it wouldn't have been so messy...but I guess that's a whole 'live and learn' type of thing, isn't it?"

"I guess that's true. I didn't really know how to deal with the things we dealt with, either. But on the topic of dealing with things, it's time to deal with what's had your attention for the past couple hours. I know it's not nothing, you haven't been distracted like this in a long time."

Bunk nodded. "Yeah, I know. It's nothing bad, just something I wasn't really expecting. You saw that a message came through your phone earlier, right?"

"...It did? I didn't notice, I was too focused on the match."

"Well, I took a look at it, just in case it was important for some reason. And...well, it was from Kera."

Orion cocked his head. "Your sister, Kera? Wait, why does she have my phone number? Wait, how does she get ANYTHING to my phone?"

Bunk snickered. "Believe it or not, Orion, we DO have technology out there."

"That wasn't what I was trying to imply...it's more that they're on, you know, a whole goddamn different world."

"Look, I don't know the way it all works, I just know it does. And I gave her your number in case she needed to get in touch with us in an emergency. So you can imagine that was my first thought...but all she sent was that she was sending a message along. I'm not sure she totally understood what I meant by 'emergency use only.'"

Orion felt more confused by the moment. "Wait, so...she sent a message saying she was...sending a message? Why didn't she just..."

"Yeah, that's what I thought, too. That's why I didn't want to say anything earlier, because I didn't want to get you involved in a whole bunch of speculation before I actually knew anything, because I knew we'd come up with bad things if we did that. But when we got back, I saw what it was...it turns out, it's not quite accurate what she said, she wasn't sending a message so much as an invitation." Bunk held out the paper for Orion to look at; the human's eyes scanned it for a moment before it all clicked.

"Invitation to Dragon World for a Succession Ceremony? Wait, does this mean she's becoming the chief?"

"Yep. I guess she sent that text because she wasn't sure if we were at home or on a trip, she didn't want us to miss it. But yeah, the trials are over, it sounds like she completed all of them. And we're invited to go attend the festivities..." Bunk sighed. "Boy, I sure am looking forward to more embarrassing stories coming out about me..."

"Hey, what else is family for?" snickered Orion. "But at least they'll probably have a lot more to do, we won't be around them the whole time."

"Probably. Man..." Bunk sat down, leaning back, looking at the ceiling. "Hard to believe my sis's all grown up like that, moving into the chief's position..."

"You're not...second-guessing your decision not to do it, are you?" asked Orion tentatively.

"Nah. Wouldn't have been worth it, no shot. But...it does make me wonder where we're going. Like, we've been hot for a few years now, and it's been awesome, but that sort of thing never lasts forever, and I'm not sure I'd want to try to make it last forever anyway. What happens when we've decided enough is enough? Where do we go from there?"

That was a good question, and one Orion hadn't really thought about. "Huh...I guess you've got a point. I don't really think I've wanted to think too far forward...I mean, I want to enjoy what we've got right now, right? Especially if we're not going to have it forever."

"Right, I'm not saying we shouldn't try to keep going while the going's good. I love the run we've been having, for sure. But the time's gonna come...we should have ideas for what we're going to do when it does."

"I guess...though, I don't really know what I'd do, I honestly don't know a lot outside of buddyfights. I don't really think I'm that great at anything else, really."

"Well..." Bunk thought for a moment. "Maybe there's something you could do with that? Like, a trainer or something?"

"...I'm trying to picture myself as a coach or a trainer or something, and I'm not sure if I'd have the patience for that," chuckled Orion. "I feel like I'd get one little shit who thinks he's a hotshot and I'd get into screaming matches with him."

"C'mon, you're not THAT hot-headed," cackled Bunk. "I think you'd make a good coach! You're the one who comes up with a lot of our strategies, right? Just gotta teach people how to think the way you do."

"Oh, yeah, SO simple. What about you? I can't imagine you'll be sitting on the side making snarky comments the whole time...well, no, I COULD imagine that, but that wouldn't be a job."

"Nah, that would purely be a fun distraction for me. Hm, I don't know...it's a weirder situation for me, isn't it? I don't have a lot of examples to work off of...a lot of the dragons you see are in some kind of peacekeeping or other combat-oriented job, but...honestly, I don't think I'd be able to handle that kind of pressure and stress. I'm okay with making mistakes in stuff like buddyfights, but if someone's life might be on the line..."

Orion raised an eyebrow. "You're okay with mistakes in buddyfights? I might have some words about that."

"Tch. The worst that happens is that we lose a buddyfight. Some disappointment that we move on from. It's not like I TRY to make mistakes, you know."

"Right. Uh, so, what are you thinking about, then?"

Bunk went quiet for a moment, lost in thought. "I guess I need to spend more time really thinking about it, but...I think I might want to spend some time learning and tutoring about battle styles, too, from the other end of the equation. Helping other creatures and dragons think about how to approach their fights and pick a style that works for them...but that means I'll have to know more than just what I'm familiar with. Especially ones that don't rely on the Drill Ram Bunker...oh, jeez, yeah, I hadn't thought about that."

"Huh? What do you mean? You're great with that weapon, why would you want to switch tactics now?"

"It's a traditional weapon of the clan...and it's supposed to go to the chief."

"...Ohhhhh. You're supposed to give it to Kera. But that means...are you really going to..."

Bunk shook his head. "I'm not asking her to let me keep it. She deserves it, and I know she wanted to show what she could do with it, too. I'm just going to have to adapt...I can try to learn some of the other weapons our clan uses. I guess I'm gonna have to think about the future a little more close-term than you are, huh?"

Orion sighed a bit, but smiled at Bunk. "I'll help out however I can. I might not be able to teach you much about it, but I can help support you and get you learning...maybe some practice for coaching, I suppose. But let's, uh, table that for now, I think we need to get our plan together for this trip first. I'm assuming we're going, at least."

"Yeah, definitely. I wouldn't want to miss it...only wild card is whether Father's going to be sore about what happened back then. Kera says he's changed but you know how things like this can sometimes bring out things in people..."

"Ah, yes, the almighty 'things.' Wonderfully specific."

Bunk sat up and gave Orion a narrow-eyed look. "I'm starting to feel like your mouth could be doing something better than snarking at me."

"Oh, it probably can, but maybe I feel like using it to snark," replied Orion fearlessly, grinning at the dragon.

"Well, I think I'll have MY say in what you do with it, now!" A properly riled-up Bunk was definitely a good time, as far as Orion was concerned - and the dragon gave him a VERY good time...

---

Dragon World. It was a place Orion was not intimately familiar with. He'd been there only once before, excluding the time Drum had forcibly dragged him and Bunk there to settle some scores, which Orion was very insistently choosing not to count. The one actual visit had been a brief excursion with Bunk about a year ago, when his buddy was dealing with an illness that needed a specific medication; they'd hung out in one of the cities and not done a whole lot since Bunk wasn't feeling up to much, but he'd at least gotten a taste of what the world was like.

This was going to be quite different. The Drum Bunker Clan was situated near a much more rustic community, smaller and less built up, a lifestyle that Orion didn't really have experience with in any world. And they were going to be there for a while, not just for the ceremony but for several days before and after. The passage of time was a bit wonky between the worlds - it seemed to pass more slowly in one of the other worlds than in the normal world, yet things were never totally out of sync, either. So the weeklong vacation was going to feel like more than that, but as far as Orion was concerned, that was preferable; he didn't really get to get away that often. Of course, there was still the question of how he'd be able to handle it all...

Bunk didn't seem worried about that, though. "We'll find plenty to do, I'm sure. It's not exactly as busy as where we were before, but there's typically stuff going on, and we can make some of our own entertainment, too."

"Are you sure? You haven't been here in a while."

The dragon chuckled. "Things don't change much around the Drum Bunker Clan. A female chieftain is one of the most radical things to happen in ages, that's how static things are."

"I guess you'd know better than I would. Where are we going to be staying, anyway?"

"We'll be finding an open hut somewhere. There's a bunch of buildings used for guests, they're small but secure. And they won't feel that small to you, since they're built for someone around my size. Won't be a problem for me, though, since I'm used to your place."

Orion rolled his eyes. "Not my fault you don't go into that small form of yours."

"It feels weird. I like being my regular size."

"Yeah, but there aren't any buildings designed for guys your size. Well, not any places to live, at least."

"I'll deal. It's one discomfort or the other, I take the one I mind less."

It was a fairly long trek to the clan's grounds, long enough that even though they had arrived early in the day the sun had almost set by the time they reached them. Orion was quite glad that he kept himself in reasonably good shape, a journey like that probably would have been rough for someone not used to physical activity. But as they got within sight, his thoughts were much more on what he was seeing. A lot of old-style buildings, both small traditional huts and some larger buildings that seemed rustic if a touch more modern, several structures around that looked almost like restored ancient ruins, and a lot more open space than any city he'd ever lived in...this was not his element, and he knew it would be a bit of an adjustment. Bunk, on the other hand, seemed to fit right in...or at least he was trying to seem that way. Orion could tell Bunk was nervous, though, and he couldn't blame him. Having to pass on his weapon, questions about how he'd deal with Drum, it had to be weighing on him a bit. But he knew it was best not to press him, the more Bunk could try to block those things out the better off he would be.

By the time they reached the grounds, Bunk had taken the lead decidedly, Orion relying on him for navigation. And the first destination was a somewhat larger stone building with a lot of unusual decorations on it, both chiseled into the stone and painted or inked on top of it. The inside was humble yet impressive, the floor underneath them was a mix of natural grass and stone paths, and a lot of similar icons and pattern were along the walls as on the outside. Orion was tempted to ask whether there was any meaning to them, but Bunk had his sights set on something else - another dragon near the back, another one of the Drum Bunker clan by appearance. As they walked up near, the other dragon turned around and looked, and then gave them a wide grin - though, perhaps more directed at one than the other. "Hey! Look who finally decided to show their ugly mug around here again!"

"Hey, I had to make you look like the good-looking one somehow," cracked Bunk. "It's good to see you again, Kera."

"Same to you! Looks like life's been treating you pretty well, from what word reaches the clan." Kera turned her attention towards Orion, who just looked up at her, slightly uncertain what to say. She really did look very similar to Bunk, and to Drum...maybe it was just unfamiliarity with most of the clan, but Orion wasn't finding it easy to distinguish them. She was maybe colored a little lighter, had a slightly longer mane, and was a bit wider at the hips, but other than that she could have passed pretty well for Bunk. "And you must be Orion. From the way Father was yammering about you, I kinda expected someone bigger."

"Drum's been talking about me?"

"A good bit after Bunk beat him up, and then again recently. I don't know what his deal is, but you're in his good graces, so that's gotta count for something." Kera's grin widened, and Orion had the feeling something else was coming...and he wasn't disappointed. "And you must be a helluva piece of ass to get my wimpy brother tearing away from us just so he can keep fuckin' ya."

"Kera!" Bunk's face flushed almost to purple in an instant.

"Try to deny it, buster, it's not like it's hard to figure out. Just try to keep it down while you're around here, wake up any of the others when you're getting it on and they're gonna demand a piece of the action to make up for it."

"Any of them lays a hand on Orion and I'll hurl them into the sun."

"Aw. You're so adorable when you act all tough." Kera laughed a bit. "Especially towards someone who you ran to in tears after being spooked by shadows."

"Good to see that having responsibility hasn't made you any more of an adult," shot back Bunk, his face almost glowing now. "I was worried you might actually seem respectable and all that shit."

"I missed you too, brother. It's hard to keep people seeing me so highly without having such a great reference point, but I've managed somehow."

"Clearly not with your charm and maturity."

"Charm's overrated. I'd rather wield a big-ass weapon. Speaking of, you cleaned your face off of the Drill Ram Bunker before bringing it, right?"

"I've still got time to slam someone else's face on it."

It's times like this, thought Orion, that I wish I hadn't been an only child. It was a real struggle not to break out laughing at the sibling banter. As red as Bunk's face was, he seemed fairly relaxed...they probably razzed each other like this regularly back when they were living together. Probably in similar ways, even...Orion was well aware that Bunk had not been the most assertive or bold individual in the past, and probably got a lot of teasing about that, while he was sort of picking up that Kera had the kind of personality that seemed more 'big-sisterly' even though she was apparently the younger one. He'd never known that kind of relationship growing up...the closest he got was how he related to Bunk, and even that had a somewhat different flavor to it.

Of course, that wasn't the only family relationship they were going to encounter, and it seemed like they weren't going to have to wait around for that. "Well, well! Look who we have here!" Bunk jumped a bit as the booming voice of his father came from the doorway. "The wayward son returns!"

"Ah, father!" Bunk's nerves spiked a bit as Drum approached, but the elder dragon seemed much more relaxed than he had been before. "Of course I'm here, I wouldn't miss this! Also, do you have to be that loud? I'm pretty sure the entire town heard you."

"Well, why wouldn't I want to announce it to everyone? I'm happy to see you back! You're looking healthy, at least, but I expect to see what you've learned out in those challenges you've been up against! They say you've been winning some big tournaments, you're going to have to prove that to us all! Give your sister something to show her she can't be resting on her laurels, either, now that she's got all this responsibility coming!"

"Sure, father," Kera said with an eye roll. "Let's pretend I haven't busted my ass on these chieftain's trials for the last age and a half in front of everyone and their grandfather."

"Doesn't mean you can start slacking off now! Ah, Orion, I didn't mean to forget about you!" Orion was about to say that it was perfectly all right when Drum suddenly swept him up in a forceful hug, lifting him well off the ground and wrapping his arms so tight around the human that he couldn't help but gack. "It's wonderful seeing you again, finally getting a chance for you to see our clan properly! I'll make sure it's the best time you could imagine!"

"What the hell, father?!" Bunk burst out. "You're gonna crush him!"

"Ah, don't worry, he'll be fine!" Drum did ease up, though, making it easier for Orion to breathe, though his face was still not getting much distance from those impressive pecs.

"He gets that kind of greeting and I get a lecture?" Kera griped. "You don't get that excited when we've been apart for a while!"

"At least you're around more often, he hasn't seen me for just as long as Orion and I got a lecture too," groused Bunk.

"Ha ha! Sorry, I guess I'm just a bit excited!" Drum finally let Orion down. "But can I help it? It's an exciting reunion! The first human to really stand up to me and put me in my place deserves a bit of extra respect, doesn't he?"

"I didn't, phoo, realize I'd made that much impression on you," panted Orion.

"Certain things in life you don't forget, and you were especially memorable," replied Drum with a laugh. "Ah, I suppose I should ease up a bit...for now, anyway. It's a time of celebration! There'll be plenty of time to get these two buckling back down afterwards. But come on, you two, let's get you settled in! I've made sure you're set up in the best accommodations we have to offer!"

"Er, yeah, that sounds like a good idea." Bunk's voice betrayed a bit of uncertainty - there was something odd about the way they'd been greeted, though he couldn't quite place what that was. "We HAVE been walking pretty much the whole day."

"Then come, come! Let me show you there." Drum swept and arm out and beckoned them to follow, which they did. Orion was feeling pretty similar to Bunk, it seemed like a very strange introduction, particularly to him...he'd expected a bit more attention to Bunk than that. Kera, perhaps not, since she'd certainly been around much more...was there still some lingering tension between Drum and Bunk? But as they exited and saw the start of the moon glowing overhead, he decided maybe tonight wasn't the time to address that. There would be plenty of time to figure things out...

He had no way to realize that it wasn't going to be much of a mystery to him for long - or expect what it was that would be behind it all...

---

The next few days seemed to be flying by. The entire town was bustling, preparing for the big event of the ascension ceremony - or perhaps more so the festival that was surrounding it. The ceremony itself was only going to be a quick thing, but apparently the dragons were quite eager to take any good chance to party, and there was supposed to be a whole big festival lasting a few days from the day of the ceremony. Thankfully, they didn't have to do anything for this festival themselves - Bunk and Orion were largely there as guests, and could merely relax and enjoy themselves.

At least, that was the plan. But Bunk wasn't enjoying himself as much as he would have liked.

It started seemingly innocently enough. Drum coming up to them not long after they'd woken up that first morning and were just getting out and about, insisting on speaking with Orion - alone. Bunk wanted to know why, Drum didn't want to tell him, and Orion had gone along with it, though clearly he'd been just as confused by it all. It left Bunk wondering what the heck was going on, why Drum would have any real interest in talking alone with Orion, there didn't seem to be any real reason for that...and that only got worse when Orion finally came back a while later, and when Bunk asked what Drum had wanted to talk to him about, had given some vague, unconvincing excuse about it being about his opinion on festival preparations. Something that Bunk was certain couldn't possibly be true, but Orion wasn't telling him anything more...he wondered if it was just something that he didn't want to talk about in public, and maybe he'd say something later when they weren't at risk of being overheard, though he couldn't imagine Drum entrusting anything THAT secret to Orion so randomly.

But not only had that not been the case, it hadn't been the last time. In fact, over that day and the next two, Drum had approached Orion close to a dozen times, each time wanting to talk to the human privately, each time Orion eventually going with him and leaving Bunk to fret, which he did more and more each time. Orion seemed to be getting annoyed with the interruptions, but he wasn't doing anything to stop him...and neither Drum nor Orion would tell him what was going on. Orion would come up with various excuses, none of them being remotely believable, and whenever Bunk asked about it when they were alone Orion would just tell him he didn't want to talk about it at the moment, with firm enough insistence that Bunk didn't feel like he could push it any further. He didn't want to make Orion unhappy, but at the same time, he was starting to get unhappy himself.

A lot of bad scenarios were coming to mind. Was Drum trying to involve Orion in some kind of family prank to embarrass him in front of everyone? It wouldn't be past his father to do something like that, he was certain, Drum wasn't mean-spirited but he didn't always seem to 'get' how Bunk could feel after things like that. Or was Drum trying to pressure Orion into changing things at the last moment? Trying to push him away from Bunk so that he could pull the rug out from under him and tell him it was actually HIM being made the chief, against his will, separating him forcibly from Orion like he had tried to back then...Drum hadn't given him any hint about that, but one never knew. Or...even worse, the way Drum had started acting towards Orion, was he...trying to SEDUCE his mate? Goad him into taking on the more mature dragon and leaving Bunk alone? He would have smelled it if anything like that had actually happened already, but that didn't mean Drum wasn't trying to MAKE it happen...

It was the fourth night in the village when he finally couldn't take it anymore. Drum had dragged Orion away for the fifth time that day, and just as they were about to head back inside and spend some quality time together, too...Bunk had been told to go back ahead, and he couldn't help but pace around nervously, waiting for Orion and hoping there was nothing going on, all while paranoid thoughts kept racing through his head. By the time Orion came through the door, Bunk knew he couldn't keep this up, or he might just not make it through this whole trip.

"You okay, Bunk?" Orion was asking as innocently as if nothing had happened. Bunk wished this would put him at ease.

"No...I'm really not. I'm kind of stressed out."

"I guess a lot's going on, huh?" Orion rubbed his dragon's arm, trying to settle him down. "Well, maybe I can help you relieve some of that stress. Wouldn't mind helping get you settled down, however it would help."

Bunk squeezed his eyes shut, and then opened them again. "However it would help, huh? Well, what would really help is knowing what the heck is going on with you and Father."

Orion started a bit. "Well...that's...just him asking for some advice. I don't really think I should say anything more than that."

"Why...why can't you tell me more? What's going on, Orion?" Bunk was anything but calmed by that. "I know Father as well as anyone, there's no way he's just looking for input on festival stuff, he doesn't care that much about how they prepare anything, he only cares about his part and I know he's got that all figured out. What's actually going on?"

Whether it was because of the pushiness or Bunk's agitation, Orion did not look comfortable. "It's nothing that serious, Bunk. This isn't really any of your business, it's a personal thing between me and him, you don't have to get involved."

For Orion, it was intended to put Bunk at ease, assure him that it had nothing to do with him...but Bunk took it the exact opposite way. Orion not telling him what was going on only further convinced him something bad was happening and Orion was trying to keep it from him. "What do you mean, a personal thing?! What's he doing? Is he trying to get at me through you?!"

"No!" Orion replied, somewhat defensively. "It's really not about you, I just don't think it's something you need to know!"

"Why not?! If he's trying to do something to get to me...or to you! What, is he trying to take you from me?! The way he was acting before, greeting you the way he did...has he been trying to take you for himself?!"

"Bunk, come on! I'm your partner, I wouldn't be doing anything with him! You're being ridiculous, nothing like that is happening!"

"How do I know that? You won't tell me anything! All you do is get dragged off with him time and time again and tell me nothing about what he's actually doing with you, and I can't imagine him doing anything good with you! All he's ever tried to do with me is push me into the future he wants me to take, and now he's trying to go after you because you stood in the way of that-"

"It's nothing like that!"

"Then tell me what it is!"

"Why is it that important?!" yelled Orion. "We've been together for years now, and you're suddenly getting all freak-out on me? Why can't you just trust me?!"

"Because this isn't how you act, Orion!" Bunk shouted back. "You're never like this! You shoot so fucking straight it might as well be line-guided! You can be at your drunkest and you'll still say anything and everything you want to say, I've been on the other end of that! You don't HIDE anything, Orion, so when you start to do that, what the hell do you think I should think?! And here of all places?! With HIM of all people?! How can I not be terrified of what it could mean?!"

There was an uncomfortable silence as those words hung heavy over Orion. Slowly he was starting to pick up on what was really going on...what he thought had been just nosiness wasn't that at all, Bunk was more anxious being here than he was letting on. Even after everything that had happened, he still must have really feared that the rug was somehow going to pulled out from under him...especially with the way Drum was acting, to Bunk still far out of the norm, trying to pull the person he was closest to away from him time and time again for who knew what purpose...Orion hadn't even thought about how that must look, because he knew what it was about, and he didn't have the long history with Drum that Bunk did.

There was only one way to properly fix this...he had to bend on this.

"Bunk...I'm sorry. I...I didn't realize how this was affecting you. It didn't occur to me that you might still be...worried about what might be going on with him. I guess I thought you'd considered it all resolved."

Hearing that got Bunk to settle down a bit. "It's never that easy...I know I got his blessing, but...I still can't help but feel like he's not done. He's always been pretty intent on getting things to happen the way he wants them to, and...well, if he had something like that up his sleeve, he's had years to plan. I mean, it was weird enough that he greeted you like an old friend when he only met you once a few years back, you've barely even talked to each other."

"Well...that's...not entirely true."

Bunk did a double-take, staring at Orion. "...W...what?"

Orion took a deep breath. It was all coming out now, but for Bunk's sake... "Drum has been focused on something for a good long while, yeah...but it's not about you. See...about a year after we all had that, uh, confrontation, Drum...he contacted me. Asked me not to tell you because he was worried about how you might react to it. He wanted...help."

"Help? How...how? Don't take this the wrong way, but...what could you possibly help him with?"

"Heh, it sounds weird, right? But, what I could help him with is...communication. Drum...wanted to get back in touch with Gao."

Bunk blinked blankly. "His...his old buddy? He wanted to...huh?"

"Is it really that surprising? You remember what I said to him, right?"

"Yeah, I mean, of course I do. But I didn't think...I mean, he even said Gao was married and all, and had a kid. I thought he'd just...you know..."

Orion shrugged. "Well, it did take him a year or so, so he might've been thinking that at first. But when he did...he was able to find Gao on his own, but he was...nervous about talking to him. And he wanted advice from me on what to say and how to say it. And, well, I thought that was kind of odd because Drum knows Gao better than I ever will, I figured he'd be able to say what he wanted to say just fine. But, well, I didn't want to create any friction by saying no, especially since he seemed kinda desperate, so...I've been helping him with that. I've been helping him create his messages to Gao ever since then. Maybe once or twice a month most months."

Of all the things Bunk could have thought (or feared) were going on, this wasn't even on the list. It was almost enough to make him wonder if Orion was being truthful about it...but, this would be a bizarre lie to make up, as well. Bizarre enough that he couldn't believe it to be a ruse. "Why didn't you tell me before?"

"Well, I mean, in the first place, Drum asked me not to. He didn't want anyone else finding out, I think because it kinda, uh, embarrassed him that he was so nervous about it. And...well, I was worried about making you feel anxious that I was in touch with him, since you two haven't exactly gotten on the best. And as you just established, I'm not exactly good at weaving around direct statements, so just never letting you know was easier than trying to come up with excuses."

"Oh...so I've, uh, probably put you on a weird spot..."

Orion shook his head. "It's more his fault than yours. I TOLD him several times that you were going to get suspicious about him pulling me away all the time, that he had to knock it off if he wanted to keep it a secret, but the paranoid dingus just can't seem to rein it in. Like, no wonder you haven't tried to talk to him in ages if you're falling to pieces like this..."

"Falling to pieces? What's going on?"

"It's not that complicated, really...Gao's coming."

Bunk blinked a bit. "He is? And...that's got father in that kind of lather?"

"It really shouldn't, but good luck making him see that." A sigh left Orion's lips. "Drum thought that the ceremony would be a good excuse to invite Gao to the village. Since becoming chief himself was what caused his departure, passing on that mantle was some kind of fitting excuse for a reunion, something like that. I told him he didn't NEED an excuse to want to see an old friend, but...well, that's beside the point. To make a long story short, Gao accepted. He's supposed to be coming soon, and Drum's flipping out."

"I...can't imagine Father 'flipping out' like that. He rarely lost his cool...really the only times I saw him get really angry were...well, the whole business with me not wanting to be chief, really. Why is he that anxious about seeing Gao? I thought they were really close!"

Orion hesitated, not sure if this was something that Drum would really want spread around, but the time for keeping the veil in place seemed long gone at this point. "Try not to let on that I told you this...basically, Drum feels like it's his 'last chance.'"

"Last chance?"

"To tell Gao how he really feels about him. To tell him that he WANTS him, you know? And he's terrified that he's going to say the wrong thing and ruin everything, and that Gao will hate him and want nothing to do with him. Like, I don't really know Gao at all, okay, but that seems really unlikely to me, but Drum just can't get it out of his head that he's walking on eggshells. And he's been yanking me aside asking me about all sorts of things he's thought about saying...most of which sound perfectly fine to me, but he gets antsy about them and scraps it all and starts over..." Another sign from Orion as he rubbed his head. "Honestly, I'll be glad when this is over, I'm getting just a little tired of it."

"So he's losing his cool over trying to figure out what to tell the human he's stupid hot for..." Bunk was rubbing his head, too; this just seemed far too weird for him, his father acting so differently from how he'd always seen him. And then there was the other thing... "So why the hell is he going to YOU? You'd think he'd ask, I dunno, a dragon he might know that managed to actually get into a relationship like that."

"Er...well, you know...he didn't want to lose even more face in front of you, right? You already took him to task over him getting on your case for going after the guy you loved, he was going to look even more foolish asking you for help with his. And, well, you just don't, uh, hear about dads coming to their kids for advice, it's supposed to be the other way around...especially for that sorta thing, I think he probably didn't want to make things awkward like that."

Bunk gave Orion a look. "Yeah, I suppose those all make sense. So what's the reason you're NOT telling me?"

"I can't get anything past you, can I?" Orion groaned a bit. "Yeah, okay, just...don't take this the wrong way, but...after everything that happened between the three of us? Drum sees me as the 'dominant' one of the two of us."

"What?! Hang on a second! He thinks YOU'RE the dom?!"

"Try not to act THAT offended," the human fired back with a smirk. "After all, mister 'I enjoy being tied up and controlled,' you're clearly NOT always the one on top here."

Bunk sputtered a bit, turning red. "Well, y-yeah, okay, that's, uh, that's true, but, that's...he shouldn't THINK that's the case! Besides, I dom more often than you do!"

A cackle from the human. "True, but I didn't make him see it that way! Well, not intentionally, at least. I think he has a hard time imagining that someone that could stop him cold could ever be yielding, especially with...well, look, he's seen a lot more of your, uh...you know, other sides of you..."

Bunk tched. "Yeah, yeah, I get it...he knows all the embarrassing stories about me. Rrgh...well...I guess it doesn't matter that much, I doubt anything's gonna change his mind now. I'm just glad...it's not what I thought it might be. I thought he was trying to go at you to break it off with me since he didn't win against me..."

"You didn't really think I'd cave that easily to him, did you?"

"No! I was more worried about what would happen when he realized that...you're a lot squishier than I am, and he beat me down pretty hard. I just wish I'd known, then I wouldn't have been stressing out so much..."

"You're right." Orion leaned in and embraced Bunk, as best he could given their size difference; the dragon wrapped his arms around his buddy as well, holding him tight. "I'm sorry. I should have seen that you were getting upset and at least done something to reassure you that it was all right...maybe I should've just told you from the start, that might've been better, but I don't know."

"Well...I understand, I guess, but I think I'd rather have known. At least then I would've had an idea why you were being pulled away now. I don't know if I would've liked it, but I would've been ready."

"I understand. I suppose I should probably do something to make it up to you. When we get back, I'll figure something out. Though I have to admit I'm not really very, uh, experienced with that kinda thing..."

Bunk pulled away a bit, looking down at Orion, a sly grin forming on his face. "Why wait until then? I think you can 'apologize' to me pretty easily right now."

"Uh? Really? How..." Orion paused as he caught the scent in the air. "Ah...Bunk, I, uh, I'm always game to rut, but I don't know that that's really, uh, qualifies as an apology..."

"That's just going to be part of it," growled the dragon suggestively. "After all, what I was worried about was that maybe my mate was going to be taken from me, or straying away...I think it would only be appropriate if your apology was helping reassure me of your dedication to me..."

Orion wasn't entirely sure where this was going...but he had an inkling. "Bunk...uhm...if that's what you want...I'll be happy to give it to you..."

"Perfect. And I know just the place..."

---

Orion was rather thankful that the hour was fairly late and many of the dragons were either bedding down or occupied with enjoying themselves at one of the local establishments. Otherwise it might have been an even more awkward scene being carried completely naked by Bunk to the location he had in mind. Trying to get out of it now would leave him completely vulnerable to anyone he passed by, in a strange place where the denizens were generally around twice his height and he already knew a few of them would be interested in taking advantage of an opportunity. He'd seen a few of the looks he'd gotten...

As it turned out, the 'seclusion' wasn't exactly complete. Bunk had taken him to a dome-shaped rock with a single opening that was definitely close to, if not actually in the village; it had a very spartan appearance on the outside that Orion had initially thought was just a big rock they hadn't tried to move out of the way. But it was pretty apparent once inside that this was no mere obstruction, there was a purpose to it - there was a hollowed-out chamber within with some glowing stones providing dim light, a few pieces of wooden furniture here and there including what looked like a desk and a table and several chairs, and even something that could be used as a bed. Bunk wasn't taking any interest in those, though, instead finding a good spot against the wall to put himself and pin Orion. "Heh, always thought this place was kinda useless...never had need for a 'study room' that wasn't right at home. But I like THIS use of it..."

"Ah...we...couldn't have...just, ah, stayed back there?" asked Orion, trying to find some purchase on the rock with his hands and getting nothing useful. It wasn't completely smoothed rock but there weren't a lot of cracks or outcroppings.

"Nope. I'm making a mess I don't have to clean up. And it's too cosy there...in here, it's rough, just like I'm gonna be. And you're gonna be breathless from yelling out how much you want me and how I belong to you, loud as you want."

"Ah...that...we're not...nearly far enough away...someone's gonna hear us..." It wasn't easy to speak with a rather sizable erection poking right at his rear end, though Orion knew it was far harder to speak with it inside. The still air inside the cavern made Bunk's musk linger even heavier in the air around them, and it was clear the dragon wasn't the only one standing at full mast...though it was harder to see Orion's with how close to the rock it was.

"Let them. Just'll let them know that you're nice and taken. Keep them from getting any ideas that they can have you for themselves...rrr, you're mine and I'm gonna make sure everyone knows it, you most of all."

Orion shivered a bit; Bunk could be aggressive whenever he was in charge of things, but this was a bit of a new level. Not that Orion could say he minded it, he just wasn't sure what the dragon had in mind. "Ah, well...you can say it all you want, but I think showing me would make more of an impression, don't you?"

"Damn right." And he was definitely showing, right from the start, with that hard shove into Orion, making the human cry out as he was stretched out rather fiercely, even a harder entry than normal. The dragon didn't really hold back much on him anymore, at least not when he wasn't trying to do something tamer or or more 'romantic,' so Orion was more than used to Bunk's fervor by this point...but now he was wondering if there wasn't even another level that Bunk had to give, with the raw force he was hammering away at Orion with. His fingers clawed at the rock in front of him, seeking stability they couldn't find, leaving him utterly at Bunk's mercy.

And Bunk was being especially merciless this time, growling deeper and louder than he usually did, and being particularly forceful on his thrusts, like he was trying to get Orion's voice to ring all throughout the village from just that little secluded cavern. Orion quickly found himself running out of breath, but Bunk wasn't giving him much time to reclaim it, forcing it out as soon as Orion caught a wisp. It wasn't long before the human's head was spinning, and that wasn't helped by the feeling of his cockhead brushing against the rock wall here and there, getting a swipe of somewhat rough friction that was only barely attenuated by the leaky precum drooling from the tip and smearing all over the stone.

Bunk was very much enjoying the sight of Orion's overload and the feeling of the human squirming helplessly in his arms, but he was intent on adding to that in some pretty forceful ways. Orion let out a sudden gasp and a louder, higher cry as Bunk's claws scratched against him, not hard enough to bloody him but enough to leave red marks across his skin, as he dragged his hot tongue against the back of the human's neck. "That's right, let it all out, let every dragon around know you're being ravaged and conquered, they'll come smell my scent and know exactly who owns you." There was an excitement in Bunk's growl, this disinhibited rutting was making the adrenaline pump through him as well, letting him slam in harder and jerk out more forcefully, putting that well-worn asshole to the test.

A test Orion was passing, but it sure felt like more of a task than usual. He was almost trying to speak up, to cry out Bunk's name, but couldn't manage to get it out, couldn't even get his mouth properly closed as he rang his wauls to the stony ceiling above him. That thickness stretching him out so much, punishing him so deep, battering his prostate to the edge, the hot liquid seeping through his body, sloppily drooling down onto the ground underneath him, filling him up nice and deep...the knot smacking wetly against his ass, demanding entrance that it would eventually have, making him stretch even more, his protesting hole being slowly mauled into compliance...those sharp claws raking against his skin, marring him temporarily but feeling especially harsh under the dominating fuck he was getting...the slowly diminishing air in his lungs making his head whirl ever more, making it almost as tough to get a breath as when Bunk worked his throat...Bunk was going all out on him, for sure, and it was such a RUSH, Orion could feel his heart thudding fiercely inside him, only barely able to keep up with the demand.

It was too much too quickly, and Orion didn't take long to yield his climax, surrendering to the dragon and letting his voice loose as he burst in splatters against the rock in front of him, getting some droplets of splashback against his body when Bunk pushed forward, most of it painting the rock and being spread around when his throbbing boner made contact. Yet, Bunk didn't even pause, continuing to hump into Orion as that ass spasmed around his thick tool, pushing the human to the limit and then beyond...just when Orion was at his tightest, a tight grab and fierce pull brought that knot popping into the human, and then Orion's eyes bugged out as he felt Bunk's fangs come down and BITE onto his shoulder, latching on just barely loose enough to not pierce in but more than tight enough that any sudden movement risked changing that. That was NOT part of their normal repertoire...

But it was what he was getting, and he had no choice but to take it as Bunk started to knot-fuck him, ruining his asshole once again with his savage yanks and pops and slams. Orion's cries had pretty much been exhausted, his voice barely able to produce sound with so little breath coming in, especially with the dragon's cock putting an excess of pressure on him. His orgasm had finally abated but he was still rock-hard, and Bunk wasn't letting him relax and recharge, intent on pushing him back over the edge far too quickly, another layer of overwhelming that he was laying on to show Orion the totality of his power and passion.

In, out, that knot was making so much noise, pulling at Orion ruthlessly until he gave in and then driving forth until he did again, that flesh slowly getting a little more pliable each time but not capable of yielding more than a modest little bit. Fangs and claws marked up the human more, leaving impressions that would last beyond their coupling, further proof of who he belonged to, or under. Orion eventually ceded to being little more than a rag doll for Bunk to rut, his energy being overspent and leaving him to just ride out the storm, knowing that he wouldn't be doing anything else that night for sure except for sleeping. He was almost delirious by then, wasn't so sure he wasn't just going to conk out in the middle of the fuck...

But finally, Bunk's knot sank in and stayed in, and that maw released him to let out a loud roar that echoed through the cave, and Orion felt that thick, hot gush of dragon spunk flood his body once more. Bunk's clawed hand swiped down to the human's cock and pumped it the rest of the way to its own, second finish, though Orion barely had anything to offer, mere droplets to the dragon's deluge, his exhausted ass letting even a little bit of it leak past the knot, though not nearly enough to relieve the building pressure inside him. All Orion could do was pant, moan, and squirm wearily, savoring Bunk's offering to him as it warmed him from the inside out, trying to relieve the weariness just a little bit, though not meeting with terribly much success.

Bunk's tongue went to Orion's shoulder, licking at the marks it left...no blood, and they would fade eventually, but they were satisfying to see and feel nonetheless. The scratches would probably be visible for a little longer, but they too would go away given a little time. "Mrrr...if they don't see it on you, they're gonna smell it on you...they'll know exactly who you belong to."

All Orion could do was nod wearily, chest still heaving as he tried to recover precious air, even if it was thoroughly suffused with Bunk's musk. He was far too exhausted to do much more, and his erection had surrendered, putting an end to his lust for the night. He hoped they didn't have to get up too early the next morning, because he was probably going to need to sleep in for quite a while...but it was more than worth it, to make sure Bunk was relieved and happy, and to make up for his errors.