#instict

“Sylus, move, it’s too hot.” Zayne grunted, trying to work his way out of Sylus’ grasp. The past few days had been exactly like this; waking up feeling sweaty and heated in Sylus’ vice-like grip while his wings covered them both, and the dragon being unwilling to move his wings to vent the area around them or let him go. Sylus growled softly, pulling Zayne even more flush to his body.

Something was happening to Sylus. It was like he had a fever, his body temperature had risen seemingly overnight, leaving them a sweaty mess in the mornings. He was clingier as well; there were times when all he wanted to do was touch and be touched in mundane ways. Nuzzling into Zayne’s shoulder when he was reading, lifting Zayne’s hand to his face or lips, curling his tail around Zayne’s arm when they walked in the woods together. 

Zayne fought to turn his body to face Sylus, putting his hands to his face. Sylus purred deeply at the touch, but Zayne stiffened in alarm. Feeling the slight panic in Zayne’s mood, Sylus opened his eyes in question.

“You’re burning up.” Zayne said with a frown. “This can’t be good for you, do you feel alright?” 

Sylus frowned back, puffing out his chest just slightly, wings flexing as if to show how big his form was. His eyes closed again, and he angled his head to run his tongue over Zayne’s pulse, licking a long, wet stripe up his neck. Zayne shivered despite the sticky heat, and something in his mind clicked off for the moment.

“You smell delectable.” Sylus murmured, running his tongue over the shell of Zayne’s ear as he purred. Zayne still wasn’t convinced, but the purring was having a calming effect on him, beckoning him back into sleep. 

Zayne dreamed of running through the forest near the den, air blasting around him as he darted through the trees, wildly changing directions as he went. He knew something was pursuing him, but he didn’t feel afraid. He only felt alive. It felt right. He felt cunning and fast, and he could practically feel the forest breathe as he heard powerful wings beat overhead. Still, he ran until his lungs screamed. 

Challenge him.

Zayne woke again, and this time, Sylus seemed to be moving around. He was much more open to letting Zayne roll out of his grip and Zayne shivered when the air touched his glistening skin. He sniffed the air. Something about Sylus’ scent was different, and he wasn’t sure if he should be concerned. He looked over to see Sylus shaking out his wings and coiling his tail in a satisfying stretch. Zayne touched his face again, cupping his face to press his lips to Sylus’ forehead. Though his skin still felt warmer to the touch, it wasn’t searing like it had been this morning.

“Come on.” Zayne said, getting to his feet. “Let’s go to the river.”

“Why?” Sylus asked, cocking his head. Zayne raised an eyebrow. 

“To bathe? We’re both sticky, and you still feel like you have a fever. Let’s go.” He said, shucking off his damp tunic and leading the way out of the cave in the nude.

Sylus watched him go and grit his teeth. He wanted to wash off Sylus’ scent? Why would he do that? Something vaguely akin to rejection washed over Sylus bitterly. Still, when Zayne told him anything looking like that, who was he to deny his mate?

There was that word again, mate. It felt so good going through his mind, and the heat in his body tingled with want. He was aware enough to know that something was going on with him that was out of the ordinary, but his instincts told him that it was natural, nothing to worry about. But ever since the prickle of heat had started on his skin days go, he’d felt directed by the urges like an arrow on a bow. 

He stood, tail whipping back and forth to follow Zayne. He didn’t want to wash away Zayne’s scent, he wanted to be bathed in it, until neither of them could tell where the other started or stopped. You have to show him why you’re suitable to court him. You have to let him see your might. Sylus shivered at the thought alone, letting it fog his mind. 

He had very limited knowledge of how all of this was supposed to work, not having been raised with his own kind, but he knew that if both of them simply trusted their instincts, it would only bring them closer. Sylus’ scent wasn’t the only one that had changed.

After they’d finished bathing, Sylus had taken off to go for a fly. It wasn’t uncommon for Sylus to take off on breezy days to simply enjoy the sky. Zayne was glad to see; surely it meant that he was feeling better, or at least wasn’t gravely ill.

Zayne was settled into a book, trying to read up on dream magic when he heard a thundering sound from outside. Something agonizingly powerful, primal, feral. Zayne’s body reacted before his mind, a ripple of excitement coursing through him. Sylus?

Zayne was on his feet in seconds to run out of the opening of the cave and look to the skies. Sylus tore through the air, body sleek and graceful with powerful wings catching the sun to show off their brilliant scarlet hue. Zayne felt something stir in him, pulsing at his heart, pooling through his limbs as he watched his dragon, mesmerized.

Sylus felt a sense of pride as he turned and twisted through the skies, all leading up to the final plummet towards the ground. At full speed, he went horns-first towards the earth, pulling up at the last possible moment to land with a thundering blow. Zayne was watching him, a hand to his chest in utter amazement. Sylus could feel it through their bond, Zayne was impressed.

Sylus grinned at him smugly, exuding confidence as he walked up to Zayne, wings still extended. He reached for the bag strapped to his side, tail unclasping it to pull out a small cube-shaped object that he pressed into Zayne’s hands. 

“What’s the occasion?” Zayne asked, working over the object in his hands. Sylus pulled Zayne close to press a kiss to his temple. He breathed in, the slight change in Zayne’s scent wasn’t fully pronounced yet, but it would be. 

“You really don’t feel it yet, do you?” Sylus said, looking at him curiously. Zayne furrowed his brow. 

“Feel what? You’re acting strange again, please just tell me what’s going on.” Zayne said, reaching for Sylus’ hand. Sylus shook his head, squeezing Zayne’s hand and feeling his tail wind around one of Zayne’s legs. 

“This isn’t a problem to solve, beloved. You have to let your instincts tell you. What’s happening is far more sacred than what I can put into words.” Sylus said reverently. He kissed Zayne’s hair again. “Trust me. You can handle this.”

Zayne felt alarm bells go off in his head. He didn’t like being confused, especially when it came to Sylus. But Sylus looking at him with pleading, intense eyes that told him that this was far more important than a few sweaty mornings or relentless showing off. He swallowed, and let it go, turning his attention to the box in his hands. Some of the panels in the polished wooden box had a slight amount of give to them, and Zayne’s curiosity flared. 

“A puzzle box.” he said, smiling as he raised it to eye-level, turning it over in his hands curiously. Sylus beamed. Zayne turned his head to slot their lips together. “Thank you.”

That was only the start of the gifts. Zayne had solved the first puzzle box with minimal effort, and Sylus took it as a challenge. Every day he’d take off, and every day he’d return in a lavish display with all sorts of trinkets and gifts. Puzzle boxes, intricate knots to solve, tomes full of riddles among them. Zayne was impressed, and dove into the gifts with fervor. There was always a touch of Sylus within; a jewel hidden inside, a chained harness of gold and jewels, a golden cuff bracelet. 

One morning, Sylus woke up to the feeling of Zayne nuzzling into his neck, mouthing at the area beneath his chin as if feeling his heartbeat. His smell was changing, and his cheeks were almost as flushed as Sylus’. Sylus pulled him closer, a possessive growl rumbling low in his chest. Zayne curled into him, the warmth cradling him in an ocean of comforting scent. Sylus readjusted his wings to better cover him, an intense need to shelter and protect him overcoming his mind.

Zayne didn’t go to the river that day, choosing instead to spend the day curled up with Sylus as his hands worked over a complicated knot that Sylus had brought back for him. Heat pooled in Sylus’ belly when he noticed a distinct golden cuff he’d brought home around Zayne’s wrist.

___

Sylus and Zayne circled each other in the afternoon sun. They’d sparred before, but Zayne usually had a weapon in his hands. Today felt different. There was a unique energy in the air that they could nearly taste. 

Zayne walked carefully, eyeing Sylus as he stalked around him, tail curling softly and watching him like a predator about to strike. Funny enough, Sylus noticed the same predatory look in Zayne’s eyes. Zayne’s body tensed as he prepared to attack, but Sylus was faster, lunging at him to tackle him to the ground. Zayne rolled out of his grip using his shoulder to shove Sylus off balance. 

With a growl, Sylus used his tail to wrap around Zayne’s ankle and pull him to the ground. Zayne bared his teeth, allowing himself to be dragged towards Sylus to deliver a kick to his abdomen. Zayne scrambled to his feet, dodging more blows from Sylus’ strong tail and reaching out to grab one of his arms to pull behind him, trying to force him to his knees. 

“Ease back, you’re being rough.” Zayne warned him in a tone that felt foreign to both of them. Sylus snapped his teeth and shoved back with his body to throw Zayne off kilter. 

Their sparring match intensified, and Zayne felt a claw slice across his cheek. Something in his mind clicked, and a scent of pure power filled his nose, driving him wild. They fought each other harder, never enough to harm, but enough to dominate. Zayne’s heart beat wildly in his chest. 

Everything hinged on winning. It was the most important thing in the world. He had to pin Sylus, he had to rise to the occasion. It was imperative that Sylus know how fierce he could be, how strong. It was of the utmost importance that he prove himself. He was running on pure instinct, both of them were. 

Sylus’ eyes were a mixture of glassy and laser-focused. The same determination was spelled out on his face. He had to prove himself to Zayne, he had to show that he was strong enough to fight by his side, and that no matter the threat, he could protect him. He had to show his capabilities no matter the cost. 

The fight turned into a blur, both trading blows for blows, telling each other with every attack how well they knew one another. It was an intimate sort of violence, a bloody dance that made something primal inside of them awaken.

Sylus landed a blow to Zayne’s side that didn’t seem to hurt him, but provoke him. Zayne bared his teeth, a growl in his chest and an animal wildness to his eyes. He leapt onto Sylus with an agility that Sylus had never seen come out of him before landing squarely on his chest and pinning his arms at his side. Sylus looked at him hungrily, waiting for what he’d do next. 

Completely driven on instinct, Zayne’s back arched and a new sound came from within him. The roar was deafening, shattering across the fields of flowers and through the treeline savagely, causing birds to take flight in a panic. It was distinct from Sylus’, slightly higher in pitch like a wildcat, but it was every bit a roar as Sylus’. 

Sylus was stunned, his face flushed and he felt his stomach flip with excitement at the display. The power, the ferocity had him shaking in an attempt to keep himself from taking Zayne right here and now. 

Zayne felt the wave of his roar echo around him. His eyes cleared, coming back to himself a bit. He looked down at Sylus in confusion. Did that come from me? His grip loosened on Sylus’ arms as he questioned himself, and the heavy, searing feeling that coursed through him. He felt Sylus move underneath him and instantly tried to reapply the pressure to his arms, but it was too late. 

Sylus used his tail and legs to roll on top of Zayne, pinning him to the ground on his stomach instead and lowered his teeth to the scruff of his neck. It wasn’t a complete bite, more of a signal that this matter was closed. Zayne struggled against his grip, angrily clawing at the grass and earth beneath him, but he knew that the fight was over. A sense of indignation entered his thoughts, but was quickly shrouded by the feeling of teeth at his neck. He held back a moan, eyes wide and wondering why he was feeling so hot all of a sudden.