#blue riders

* * * * *

If G'rain didn't have duties, he would stay like this forever.

Once, it seemed like a lifetime ago, he had gone to the SmithCraftHall on the behest of the Weyr's dragon healer. Flamethrower blowback had been a problem for some time, with more than one junior queen singed from ill timed burns, so he'd gone to the Hall for a solution.

The old idea of agenothree had come up again from the Master he spoke with, and it was he who introduced him to Nikyr, the expert in such matters. The Weyrsinger hadn't realised it at the time, but it was a moment that would resonate throughout the rest of his life.

He hadn't understood so many of the terms so lovingly gabbled by the alternately bashful and enthusiastic man, but with patience from both sides, accord was reached.

G'rain had never felt as intellectually stimulated as when he was in the presence of the clever Smith, and under his tutelage quickly found himself able to turn a thought into designs if not as well as the man himself, then at least well enough to be interpreted and expanded upon.

They were of common thought and curiosity, each with a desire to do right by the dragonrider community and Pern at large. It was only natural that friendship was forged as well as fuel tanks, and in-jokes and references crept into their conversations.

Even Serinth had taken a shine to the dark skinned man, asking if he wanted to actually fly, and not just endlessly talk about the theory.

After that first flight, G'rain remembered the warmth of the man clinging on to his waist.The feel of that lean body against his own remained on his mind long after the flight was done, resonating in flesh that desired to feel more.

His thoughts had turned from ideas to man without him noticing, realising in the darkness of his weyr that he didn't need to visit the Hall as often as he had, and that his heart beat faster when he thought of visiting the grey eyed Smith. What did it feel like to run his fingers through that mop of hair, or to feel that toned body against his? Did he smell musky? Metallic? Did he taste of fire and the forge, or something less definable?

He wanted Nikyr in a way he had never wanted anyone before, and despaired in secret until he realised the Smith felt the same.

"I thought there might be another reason you keep visiting me. I hoped there was."

His kind was frowned upon in Pern society beyond the Weyrs. Blue and green riders, the so-called "dragonwomen", were often derided behind their backs, their supposed proclivities historically used to denounce Weryfolk as a whole. G'rain escaped a little of the torment by providence of the Harper badge at his shoulder, but already he knew the whispers he and Serinth would leave behind for the Smith to hear.

To protect Nikyr's reputation, they'd flown here, to the tarn they'd come to so many times before to swim, bathe and laugh after a difficult Threadfall. Few came here, the golden lakes above Ruatha or the seas about Nerat the preferred bathing spots for most riders. Yet it was this place with its roots deep in the northern range that G'rain came to for solitude, to practice without interruption, and now, for the most intimate of company.

* * * * *

Nikyr held the dragonrider in his arms, pulling him close as his lips traveled down jawline to the soft skin of the neck. He enjoyed the strong hands caressing his back, fingertips playing him so expertly that his own efforts were often paused to appreciate the sensations. He concentrated and inhaled deeply, revelling in the scent of the man, a scent he'd come to associate with exhilaration, anticipation. Even now, tanned leather mixed with the other's heated body, the underlying presence of dragon musk, all combined to arouse him further, and he parted his lips to tentatively lick G'rain's skin. Nikyr smiled as the man pressed closer, his quiet sighs exciting him as he felt firm fingers wind through his hair and the slight movement to allow him more access.

He wasn't sure what he'd expected, really, but he found everything more satisfying than he'd imagined. Kissing G'rain was similar to, yet so unlike kissing women. The mechanics were the same, even though his tipsy fumbling with them had been more along the lines of what was expected and not desire. This was far more engaging -- whether that was because he had strong feelings for the dragonrider or because he was finally able to explore his attraction to men, he couldn't say. All he knew was that he'd been aching to be near the other man for what seemed an eternity before today. He didn't even know what had given him the impetus to admit his interest, but that had been well worth the moments of embarrassment.

With more confidence, he nuzzled the other's neck, then trailed his tongue along skin to meet G'rain's lips again, surprising himself with a rush of passion as he boldly explored the man's mouth. The salty skin, lightly spiced by the oil the dragonrider used on Serinth, the sweetness of his lips, all of it combined into a heady euphoria, and he groaned quietly, gripping G'rain's hip as much to keep himself from pressing against the man as to keep him from pulling away.

Nikyr paused, grey eyes searching blue.

"G'rain," his voice husky, his breathing quick, hand on hip grasping a bit tighter. "I need to tell you. But..." The dark skin flushed again, and Nikyr dropped his gaze from the other's. "By the flame! I..."

"Go on," G'rain lifted a hand to caress the smith's cheek, leaning in to kiss him softly and encouraged him to continue.

Nikyr felt his body tense as embarrassment warred with desire, his expression melting into an anxious frown and he sighed with frustration.

"I don't, I mean, I..." He sat up, turning his head away from the other. "I'm sorry," he mumbled, running his fingers through his hair, shoulders hunching as he crossed his legs. He took a deep breath, then turned to look at G'rain, who sat up as he waited. Kindness and desire was clear on the dragonrider's face as he reached to take one of Nikyr's hands in his.

Nikyr squeezed G'rain's hand, grateful for the man's patience.

"I don't know what I'm doing." The smith gestured helplessly with his free hand, admitting his inexperience with resignation. "I've kissed a few women, but I wasn't very interested." He shrugged, adding with a wry smile, "I was curious, though.

“Thing is, I..." his face flushed again, "I knew I was attracted to men, but it's not accepted in the hold. And I've seen how folks are treated by others, even in the hall." He reached to run a hand over G'rain's cheek, fingers lightly tracing the other's jaw, feeling the stubble catch. He wanted to keep touching this man, and he sighed again as he ran his fingertips across G'rain's lips. "But I don't care what people think. Except you. I just don't want to do anything...wrong." Nikyr's forehead creased as he watched the dragonrider's reaction.

G'rain smiled, catching Nikyr's hand as it passed over his lips, kissing the fingers.

"There's no wrong. In fact, I thought it was right," he held both of Nikyr's hands, squeezing them as his expression became concerned. "But I don't want to cause problems for you in the Hall."

Nikyr shook his head sharply, looking away.

"I can handle it. It's none of their business anyway." He turned back to G'rain, the color still flush across his cheekbones, but ducked his head, not meeting his eyes, his deep voice almost a whisper. "You don't mind? I mean, I don't like disappointing people. And with you used to weyrfolk..."

G'rain lifted his hands to Nikyr's face, encouraging the smith to look directly at him.

"Do I mind? Not one bit. Nikyr, I want to be here with you. I don't care if you've been with many or none. I just want you to do what's comfortable for you." The dragonrider shifted to kneel, hands pulling gently at the other as he tentatively drew in for a kiss, watching the grey eyes for hesitation. He was rewarded with warm lips meeting his and strong arms wrapping around his waist, pulling him close again.

Each felt the other relax into their connection, moving as one to lay back down on the rushes. G'rain let his hand trail along the smith's arm, feeling muscles flex as he moved closer to whisper against willing lips.

"Now, where were we?"

* * * * *

There they lay, shirts discarded, arms about one another as a new phase of relations began.

Under the eaves of the cliff, fingertips explored as their lips broke through taboos, sensation the pathway into a greater comfort. Though he had lived in longing for so long, the thought of scaring him away tied G'rain's guts into knots, and so he would take it as slow as he could despite the encouragement of his dragon.

He could stay here in Nikyr's arms forever. In these fragile first days of their journey, he made himself content with that, losing himself in grey eyes instead of in base satisfaction.

"How...?" Nikyr was still hesitant, even though his hands had ranged across G'rain's skin, his colour high with both embarrassment and excitement. The dragonrider couldn't help the tenderness that welled with him him at the sight, and pushed the hair back out of his partner's face.

"How?" He asked in kind, gently teasing the words from him.

The Smith laughed, a note of vulnerability sounding in the clarity of the mountain air.

"How did you know you preferred men?"

"Serinth was a big clue." The tenderness erupted into a smile as his mind turned toward his dragon still cavorting in the lake.

"Oh. Blues traditionally only Impress..." Nikyr's words came to a halt at G'rain's solemn nod. "But before, did you know you would...?"

It was difficult these days to recall what it was like without Serinth. Nearly eight turns had passed since that glorious day, and the memory of life without his dragon's constant litany of love and affection seemed like a nightmare dimmed by daylight.

Yet with a flash of insight, G'rain knew why the question was being asked, and he sighed as he struggled to find the reassurance his partner so sorely needed.

"I guess... I never saw the attraction in women. They were nice enough, but when I heard the other apprentices talking about this one's breasts or that one's hips, I didn't understand it. They were pretty, but I preferred the look of the men in their riding gear, or in the Hold livery. Broad shoulders, slender hips, muscular arms..." He grinned, realising that all unknowingly he'd just described the one sharing the rushes with him. "...That was what turned my head."

"And did you... You know. Before?"

A chuckle of sympathy escaped G'rain's lips, watching with fascination as the wave of colour darkened Nikyr's freckled and frustrated face. His fingers felt like they had minds of their own as he tried to soothe those fears with a touch, tracing the other man's side in gentle caress.

"I didn't do that until Serinth rose for the first time." He could still remember that day; the thrill of flight, and the terror of what was to come. Thankfully Serinth's first green had been ridden by a sympathetic veteran, and so G'rain's dragon roused fumblings had been deftly guided. "But when I was at the Harper Hall, there was a boy - one of the boarding students. We used to touch one another. I think it helped us feel less alone."

Nikyr's voice was softer as he looked away, something conflicted marring his beautiful face.

"Do you still see him, too?"

"Hakirn? No." The question was confusing, his last memory made hazy by time and disinterest. "I haven't seen him in Turns. I'm not even sure where he was posted."

The body against his relaxed just a little, but it warranted the softest of caress across a hip.

"Would you touch me the way you used to touch him?"

The question was too fast and almost inaudible, but G'rain beamed as he guided the other man against him.

"When you're ready, and if that's what you want, yes."

Nikyr's breath was expelled in a rush, his voice almost cracking as he gasped,