The Spark (PG-17)
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Devin
Date Posted: 17th February 2025
Characters: N'vanik, Talryne, Z'kim, R'ton
Description: N’vanik shares a flight with his friend Z’kim and something unexpected happens.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr, Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 1, day 5 of Turn 12
Notes: PG-17
Rating: PG-17
N’vanik was curled up on one side of the couch, reading one of the
more recent romance books. It was about a Lord Holder’s daughter torn
between two lovers. Usually he was on the dragonrider’s side, but this
bronzerider was such an ass he hoped she ended up with the"
}:Warroth rises!:{
“Hey Tal, I gotta go,” he said as he got to his feet, heart racing.
She looked up from her own book with a frown of concern. “Is something wrong?”
He shook his head and dropped the book on the table. “Warroth is rising.”
“Oh.” Her worry melted and a knowing smile spread across her face. “Good luck.”
He made an amused sound and bent to kiss her. Then he leaned close to
her ear and said in a low, deep voice, “If I do get lucky, I’ll tell
you all about it when I get home.”
Talryne was the only person he’d ever told about his unique situation
with Z’kim. Dream’s End Weyr was overcrowded and some of the weyrs had
been split in two with the dragons sharing a single ledge. N’vanik,
unpopular and with no rank, had been given one of these weyrs with
greenrider Z’kim as his neighbor. They’d become fast friends, and so
had their dragons. It wasn’t a surprise when Loseth had caught Warroth
not long after they moved in. N’vanik, feeling awkward at waking up
next to his new friend, had made a polite but quick retreat. But the
second time. . . N’vanik had felt an unexpected, powerful desire for
Z’kim and they’d shared a passionate second round. Once the leftover
dragonlust faded, though, so had any trace of desire for the
greenrider.
It happened that way every time and N’vanik had started calling it the
“bonus round”. It was like a door inside his mind that was always
firmly locked. The only key was sharing a flight with Z’kim, and when
that happened the door swung wide open. Then when the bonus round was
over, the door slammed shut, and it was . . . upsetting to have that
attraction locked away. But when the feeling was there, when the fire
was in him, it was wonderful. Both he and Z’kim thoroughly enjoyed it,
so he brought Loseth to chase Warroth as often as he could.
}:Hurry!:{
He gave Talryne one more quick kiss and ran to grab the riding straps.
Loseth had been sunning on the Heights, but he’d already flown down
and was waiting impatiently on the ledge. “She’s not up yet, we’ll get
there.” N’vanik harnessed his dragon quickly. A Turn. A whole sharding
Turn since Loseth had caught Warroth. Since N’vanik had shared a
flight with Z’kim. First Loseth had caught another green just before
Warroth rose and even if the bronze had been willing to drag himself
away from his prize, he would have been too tired to stand a chance.
Then they’d been unable to go because Dolphin Cove had Threadfall, and
the third time Panitath had been close to Rising and neither N’vanik
nor Loseth had been willing to risk it. And then last time they’d
finally been able to get there only for a clever blue to surprise
Warroth.
Both N’vanik and Loseth had been furious.
**This time they’re ours,** he told Loseth as he mounted. The bronze
leapt, barely clearing the ledge before going /between/. When they
came out above Dream’s End Weyr, both of them sought out Warroth. She
was still asleep and glowing bright, shining like a jewel in the sun.
Z’kim knew her signs well and was able to send word as soon as the
green took her pre-flight nap.
Loseth made a fast descent and backwinged sharply to land near the
feeding pens. A familiar figure came jogging up as the Weyrleader
dismounted. “Nik!” The greenrider called.
“Zeke!” They hugged each other tight.
}:Hugs later! Straps now!:{ Loseth grumbled impatiently. He wouldn’t
feel lust until she woke and broadcast her desire but he was
_interested_, all his attention focused on the sleeping green.
Waiting.
N’vanik relayed the bronze’s impatient words. Z’kim laughed and
hurried over to work at the buckles as N’vanik pulled off his riding
jacket. “We got time?” N’vanik asked as he joined his friend.
The greenrider’s eyes grew distant as he focused on his lifemate. “I
think so. She’s still deeply asleep, but you know . . .”
“Better safe than sorry.” N’vanik agreed as he worked fast. As the
last of the straps came off, Loseth shook himself and then turned, his
fast-whirling eyes fixed on the spot high above where Warroth lay.
“He’s still mad about last time,” N’vanik said.
Z’kim scoffed. “He can’t remember last time. _You’re_ still mad about
last time.”
Tension crackled between them as they waited " the bronze and the two riders.
“She gonna let that blue catch her again?” N’vanik asked.
“She didn’t _let_ him catch her. But she knows his tricks this time.”
“She can’t remember last time,” N’vanik shot back.
“_I_ do.” Z’kim gave him a look. Then he tensed. “She’s waking.”
Warroth’s piercing challenge echoed across the Weyr and Loseth replied
with a roar. The bronze’s lust flooded N’vanik and he turned, grabbing
Z’kim. Shards, the flight hadn’t even _started_ yet.
“Presumptuous, aren’t we?” Z’kim’s eyes were a little hazy.
Then N’vanik’s attention was pulled up as Warroth soared over them.
She dropped straight onto a large herdbeast and tore into its neck.
Z’kim pulled out of his grip and N’vanik turned back toward him.
“Catch us, bronzeboy,” the greenrider said before dashing toward the
fence.
Other males began to gather. Loseth spread his huge wings and growled.
}:Warroth is _mine_!:{
“Should we give you a private flight, Weyrleader?”
It was him. The rider of the blue who’d caught Warroth last time.
N’vanik glared and the man laughed. “My Tremoth can never fly a gold,
but with greens? He’ll fly circles around that big bronze of yours. I
almost feel sorry for you, coming all the way here just for
disappointment.” The man grinned. “Again.”
Now N’vanik was the one growling. “We’ll see who Warroth choses.” The
growing group of riders watched them curiously.
“Aren’t there enough greens for you at home?” the bluerider asked.
“Why do you keep coming back for this one? Is Loseth that fond of
Warroth? Or is it something else?”
Warroth’s shriek interrupted them. }:Catch me if you can!:{ Then she
was off, a streak of glowing green. Loseth was right behind her,
followed by a blur of blue and brown wings.
N’vanik rose, merging with his dragon. **You better catch her this time.**
}:I will.:{ Desire pumped in his veins, everything in him yearning for
Warroth. The human part remembered loss, victory snatched away from
them, and Loseth snarled. Blues were fast but _he_ was the best!
Powerful beats of his wings carried him higher, closer.
N’vanik reached for Z’kim, a hand skimming down his arm, the faint
contact of skin on skin electric. The greenrider turned toward him and
brushed a finger along his cheek.
}:You came far for me,:{ Warroth/Z’kim said. }:But you must prove yourself.:{
Z’kim spun away, toward the riders on the other side of the circle.
Warroth turned sharply, darting toward the right.
Loseth/N’vanik followed, narrowly missing a brown that hadn’t reacted
as fast. The green surged upward again, delighting in the feeling of
being wanted, of so many males vying for her attention. She played
with them, but this was a game for one in particular.
}:Dive with me,:{ Warroth/Z’kim said coyly. Only to Loseth.
The bronze dropped a moment before she came plunging toward her
chasers. But not too close, not where their eager talons could grip
her.
Z’kim swayed toward him and N’vanik grabbed his waist, pulling him
close, pressing their bodies together. Heat and need pulsed through
him, fingers splaying across Z’kim’s stomach. The greenrider tilted
his head to the side and N’vanik brushed his mouth against Z’kim’s
neck for a second before the other man pulled away.
}:Not yet,:{ Warroth/Z’kim said. The green spread her wings and climbed.
His lips tingled. His wings pumped.
}:We dance.:{ Her/his voice was low, full of promise.
A flash of dark eyes. Z’kim’s hand sliding up his chest. A lithe green
spinning up through the air, urging him to do the same. Fingers
caressing his face while someone"him? Z’kim?"moaned.
She was beautiful, twisting and turning through the sky, and Loseth
did his best to mirror her movements, to show her how graceful he
could be. He was beautiful, flitting among the circle of riders, a
playful smile on his face. N’vanik _wanted_. He _ached_. He caught
Z’kim’s wrist and tugged. The man came with little resistance. Their
bodies touched, face to face. Warroth began to tire. Z’kim arched his
hips. Heated, ready.
And then suddenly a blue was there. Tremoth shot toward the green,
claws outstretched.
}:No!:{ “No!” Dragon and rider shouted at the same time. Not again!
But Warroth folded her wings tight, falling away from those grasping
talons. }:Not this time!:{ Z’kim’s delighted, triumphant laughter
filled his ears.
The green dropped straight toward Loseth. }:Claim me!:{
The bronze seized her, neck and tail wrapping tight around her, his
great wings slowing their fall. }:Mine!:{
}:Yours,:{ Warroth agreed.
N’vanik and Z’kim were just as tightly entwined, kissing hungrily,
hands roaming. Nothing mattered but the fierce need burning through
them.
* * *
There was a warm body curled against him, their arms around each
other. A head tucked under his chin. A familiar way to wake up, except
something was different. This wasn’t Talryne. N’vanik opened his eyes
as he began to remember. A flight. Loseth catching.
Zeke.
He breathed a contented sigh, a smile curving his lips. He moved a
hand along Z’kim’s strong back until he began to stir, then N’vanik
shifted so he could see the man’s face. “Hi Zeke,” he said warmly as
the greenrider opened his eyes.
“Hi.” Z’kim smiled.
Familiar, welcome dragonlust roused within him, the door in his mind
swinging open. “Clever, lovely Warroth.” N’vanik traced a thumb along
his friend’s lower lip.
“She wasn’t going to be tricked twice.” Z’kim captured his thumb and sucked.
N’vanik groaned as the sensation sent a bolt of heat through him.
}:She didn’t want any other male.:{ Loseth was full of smug pride. }:I
am the best.:{
“And now we get to play.” N’vanik slid a hand into Z’kim’s hair and
kissed him. It was always such a treat, sharing this bonus round.
It was leisurely at first, making out with little nips and moans. He’d
never wanted to kiss another man besides Z’kim, and only in this
liminal space when he was still under the influence of the flight.
Soon they were pressed close, N’vanik gripping Z’kim’s firm ass with
one hand.
Z’kim rolled on top of N’vanik and sat up, pinning his wrists on
either side of his head. “Ooh, frisky,” N’vanik said.
“I need to take my chance to"” Then Z’kim laughed. “Oh, I got you
good.” He let go to point at N’vanik’s chest.
Looking down, N’vanik saw a love bite and chuckled. “Got you, too.”
With his freed hand, he brushed the darkening mark on Z’kim’s right
shoulder where it curved to meet his neck.
The greenrider snorted. “You bite me there all the time.” Then he bit
his lip, a mischievous gleam lighting his eyes. He trapped N’vanik’s
wrist again and leaned down. “Try explaining this in your next Wing
meeting.” He fastened his lips on the left side of N’vanik’s neck.
“Zeke, no!” But he was laughing as he said it, and the sound dissolved
into a moan. Z’kim was sucking hard, on the edge of pain, and N’vanik
squirmed with arousal. “Shards, Zeke.”
Z’kim was thorough about it, and when he was finished he brushed a
soft kiss against the spot before working his way up N’vanik’s neck
and jaw to his lips. Their kisses were more heated this time and they
slowly moved against each other. N’vanik flipped them, the leftover
dragonlust urging him to take the greenrider and drive them both
toward release.
***Fade to black***
The flightlust faded as they came down, their kisses growing soft
until it was just a mere brush of lips. N’vanik laid his head on
Z’kim’s shoulder with a sigh, his eyes drifting shut.
“You’re heavy.”
N’vanik laughed and got up. “Yeah and we’re all sticky.” They went
through their usual routine of cleaning up and putting on their
underwear before climbing back into bed.
They settled against each other, N’vanik at Z’kim’s back. He put his
arm around the greenrider’s waist, enjoying the closeness of the other
man. They’d slept together"in the strictly literal sense"a few times
outside of flights for emotional comfort. The night after V’surin
died, N’vanik had gotten very, very drunk and Z’kim had held him as he
cried, held his hair back while he retched into the chamber pot, and
then held him through the night. N’vanik had done the same for Z’kim
when he lost someone close.
The bonus round after a flight was just a strange interlude they’d
come to accept. Amusingly enough, N’vanik was the one who was more
upset that his desire for Z’kim went away. He often felt a little
touch of melancholy after their fun was over. But he liked this, too,
just cuddling and taking a nap with his friend.
As he was about to close his eyes, N’vanik’s gaze fixed on that love
bite. Looking at it, and at the curve of Z’kim’s neck, he wanted to .
. .
His heart started pounding. “Zeke?” The man made a sleepy mumble, but
N’vanik was already moving, leaning up on his elbow, going with the
feeling. He pressed his lips to Z’kim’s neck, and it felt _good_.
“Nik?” Z’kim turned slightly, looking up at him in confusion.
“I think . . .” N’vanik swallowed. “I think there’s a little spark
left.” This had never happened before. Once the feeling was gone, it
was _gone_. But now it was like the door inside his mind was open just
a crack.
“A spark?”
“Yeah.” N’vanik kissed Z’kim’s lips. And he _liked_ it, even when he
gently licked into the other man’s mouth. He kept going for a moment
and then pulled back to laugh. “What is _happening_?”
“You tell me, bronzeboy.”
He laughed again, a smile stretching his face. “I don’t know. But
there’s . . . it’s not the fire, but I want to kiss you. Maybe more?
Not right now, though. I’m too sharding tired and I wanna make _sure_
it’s not just leftover dragonlust.”
Z’kim slid a hand into his hair and N’vanik leaned into the touch. “So
what do you want?”
“We take a nap, like usual. And then . . .” His face heated, suddenly
embarrassed. “Maybe next sevenday you could come over?” He cleared his
throat. “And we could, uh, test this out?”
“I would love to.” Z’kim’s expression was soft and warm, and N’vanik
could’t help kissing him again.
**Why now, after all this time?**
}:Things change,:{ Loseth said simply.
Last updated on the February 21st 2025