Rekindled (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: 29th June 2025
Characters: N'vanik, Talryne, Z'kim
Description: Z’kim shows N’vanik and Talryne sketches for their Hatching outfits and N’vanik remembers when he began repairing a strained relationship with Z’kim.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 8, day 20 of Turn 12
Notes: PG-17 version of “Missed This”. Caution for swearing (Traelyn deserved it).
Rating: PG-17
“Z’kim, this _dress_,” Talryne said as she admired the colored sketch. It had a tight black bodice with deep pink flowers along the single strap and spread artfully across the rest. The skirt was the same deep pink with a slit and a cascading flower pattern. “And these _boots_!” They were short, little more than ankle high, and black leather. “Are you sure you’re not a weaver?”
“Or a harper?” N’vanik said. The sketches were very good, but . . . “Pink?” He frowned at the outfit Z’kim had drawn for him " a pink shirt and a black vest with pink floral embroidery.
“What’s the matter?” Z’kim asked. “Afraid to wear pink? Is it going to hurt your fragile holder boy masculinity?”
N’vanik shot him a sideways glare.
Talryne laughed. “You know _exactly_ which buttons to push with him.”
“I should, I’ve been doing it for close to twenty Turns.” Saying that made Z’kim feel old. He tried to recapture the playful mood by kissing N’vanik’s cheek.
“You’re the worst,” N’vanik said affectionately.
“Is that a yes on the outfit then?” Z’kim asked.
N’vanik looked over at the drawing of Talryne’s dress and then the clothing Z’kim had sketched for himself " a black shirt and a deep pink vest with subtle floral embroidery. Hibiscus, Z’kim had said, a tropical flower to reflect Dolphin Cove’s location. “So you want us to wear basically matching outfits and pretty much advertise that we’re . . .”
Z’kim arched an eyebrow and smirked, though a small part of him worried he might have gone too far.
N’vanik laughed. “Yeah, sure.” It would be more fuel for the gossip.
Z’kim grinned in triumph. “I’ll make sure these are done before the Hatching. You’re paying, of course,” he told N’vanik.
“Of course,” N’vanik echoed with another laugh.
“We’re going to look amazing,” Talryne said. “You’re a genius, Z’kim.” She kissed his cheek.
“I know.”
N’vanik looked down at the sketch again. Pink was definitely not his first choice, but if it made Zeke happy, then he’d wear it proudly. Z’kim was being patient with him, letting N’vanik choose how much to reveal about their relationship. Even though Z’kim had pushed things a little at Panitath’s Hatching Feast, he still hadn’t outright confirmed that they were sleeping together, and N’vanik was touched by the amount of trust his friend was showing in him. Z’kim would never stand for a lover who hid their sexuality, not after dealing with holdbred people moving to the Weyr and judging him for liking men.
But then again, Z’kim had kept their bonus round secret all these Turns. Z’kim put up with a lot of whershit where it came to N’vanik. He’d even done all the work to keep their friendship together after N’vanik had been sent to Dragonsfall. N’vanik had been an even worse mess than usual after his mentor V’surin died in Fall, and then he’d punched his new Wingleader and gotten himself kicked out of Dream’s End. And he’d just . . . left everything behind, including Z’kim.
Several months later, Z’kim had shown up for a visit and acted like nothing was wrong. It had taken N’vanik a long time to realize how much pain he’d caused his best friend. But he had, at least, started making a serious effort to repair their friendship after he became Weyrleader of Dolphin Cove.
~*~*~*~
Month 1, Turn 5, Dolphin Cove Weyr/Dream’s End Weyr
N’vanik leaned back against the slightly rough bark of the tree and picked up another hide from the pile. He was glad he’d thought of getting a small wooden board to write on, it was like a tiny desk he could lay across his legs. Doing work out here at the edge of the beach meant he could enjoy the breeze off the ocean and the shade under the trees, and if some of his hidework ended up with sand on it, well, so be it. A few months into being Weyrleader, he was a little more at ease in the role, but he certainly wasn’t going get all stuffy and formal just because his job was important.
}:Tarawynth says Warroth rises.:{
N’vanik sat up straight. They’d arranged for Z’kim to send word through a friend when his green was going to rise. Warroth was pretty regular and gave clear signs before her mating flights, which meant right now she was sleeping, her hide growing bright. When she woke, maybe minutes later, maybe in a candlemark, she would challenge the males of Dream’s End.
And maybe one from Dolphin Cove.
**Do you want to chase?**
}:I always want Warroth:{ There was no dragonlust, not yet, but his interest was keen.
He had responsibilities. All this hidework needed to get done, and he had a meeting with the Weyrwoman in two candlemarks. Well, fuck Traelyn. She only had time for him when it was about their duties, as she’d proved once again a few days ago. She couldn’t see, didn’t care, that Loseth’s first Hatching, _their_ Hatching, had meant something to him. That he shouldn’t have had to fucking _schedule_ spending the night with her, it should have been obvious. Then she had the audacity to accuse him of wanting her to drop her whole life for him, just because he wanted to spend a _little_ time with her. He’d gone halfway across Pern for her sharding flight, left his home, dragged Tal away from everything familiar and the fragile life she’d just begun putting back together. Yes, N’vanik had wanted to be Weyrleader, but he’d also wanted to be _her_ Weyrleader. And oh, wasn’t it ironic that’s all he was to her now. Just the knots.
Fuck Traelyn.
But thinking of that made him realize he hadn’t been a very good friend to Zeke lately. They used to see each other every day, but after N’vanik was transferred out of Dream’s End he’d only seen Z’kim a few times. And they hadn’t shared a flight at all. Shards, how long had it been? Had to be . . . almost two Turns now. Way too long. N’vanik started piling up his hidework. **I’ll meet you at our weyr.** Jogging all the way across the huge Weyrbowl would take a while, but most of the time Warroth napped around half a candlemark before she took to the skies.
}:No need, I’m coming.:{ A moment later Loseth landed nearby, his straps and N’vanik’s riding jacket clutched in his talons.
N’vanik laughed. **Eager, are you?**
}:So are you.:{ The bronze’s eyes whirled fast.
N’vanik put his hidework down, piling rocks on the stack to keep it from blowing away. Then he quickly harnessed Loseth and climbed up. He sent a message to his Weyrsecond and Wingsecond, letting them know he’d be gone for a while and where. **Tell Talryne"**
}:I’ve already told her. She wishes us good luck.:{
N’vanik had explained everything to her, or at least as much as he could, after one of Z’kim’s visits. It would have been easy to just say Loseth liked Warroth, that’s what he’d told everyone else, that’s what he’d told Tal at first. But after he and Tal admitted they loved each other, after he’d taken that leap to be so vulnerable with her, he wanted her to know the full truth. She was the only person he’d ever told.
**Is Warroth. . .?**
}:She still sleeps, but we’ll hurry.:{ Loseth took off, climbing a few lengths above the trees before going /between/.
In a few breaths they were above Dream’s End Weyr, Loseth angling down for a fast landing. The bronze’s awareness allowed N’vanik to pick out Warroth on one of the broad terraces, and shards was she bright. Then they were on the ground, Loseth demanding the riding straps be removed. It was hot here too, and N’vanik stripped off his jacket, letting it fall.
“N’vanik! You came!” Z’kim’s laughing voice reached him just before the man himself did.
“Zeke!” N’vanik pulled him into a hug. “We’ve missed too many.”
“That you have.” For just a moment something flickered in his eyes, then he smiled again. “Let me help you, she might be up any"” He froze, eyes going wide. A scream cut through the air.
Loseth bugled in answer and the lust hit N’vanik hard enough to make him stagger. Both rider and dragon looked up as _she_ came gliding overhead and dove at the feeding pens.
N’vanik shook himself and turned to meet Z’kim’s gaze. “Good luck,” Z’kim said in a rough voice before turning away.
The haze of dragonlust was coming over N’vanik’s mind, coloring the way he saw his friend. A flicker of desire spread through him as he watched Z’kim jog toward the fence. Loseth tensed. “Straps!” N’vanik said, sharply reminding both his dragon and himself. Fortunately even the bronzerider’s shaking hands were able to get the dragon’s harness off before Warroth finished sucking blood from a fat herdbeast.
She flung the carcass away with a snarl and then launched herself into the sky. Loseth was after her with a powerful leap, his lust and determination surging in N’vanik’s veins. He half-jogged, half-stumbled toward the circle of riders surrounding Z’kim and pushed his way in. He joined with Loseth high above the Weyr, following the beautiful green as she climbed, higher and higher.
She wouldn’t be an easy catch, and Loseth knew it. He must prove himself, show her that he was the best. The other males were faster and more agile, but Loseth was stronger and smarter. And Warroth liked him. Even though they lived at different Weyrs now, they were still very fond of each other. }:You’re mine, Warroth!:{
}:We’ll see.:{ The green dropped and rolled, reveling in her sensuality and the power of her body. The closest blue reached for her and she darted away. }:Uh-uh! Not yet!:{
She went higher again, blues following close, followed by browns . . . and one very determined bronze. Loseth put on another burst of speed. This was no gold flight, and he didn’t need to leave anything in reserve. Warroth danced through the air a while longer until her wings began to burn with exhaustion. Now she was ready, and she didn’t even consider the other males chasing her.
}:Mine!:{ Loseth roared as he claimed Warroth.
* * *
N’vanik woke to someone sucking on his nipple. He drew a sharp breath and opened his eyes. “Zeke?”
The greenrider lifted his head. “Oh, good. You’re awake.” His lips fastened on N’vanik’s nipple again, sucking hard.
N’vanik moaned, lust surging inside him. “Been a while.” He slid a hand into Z’kim’s thick dark hair.
}:Warroth knew I was the best.:{ Loseth radiated satisfaction. }:You needed this, too.:{
In answer, Z’kim hummed and then started kissing his way down N’vanik’s body, each touch of his lips like a spark of fire along his skin. The bronzerider watched, heart beating faster.
~*~ Fade to black ~*~
In between ragged breaths, he kissed along Z’kim’s hot skin as they floated toward afterglow. And, as always, the fire went out.
With one final kiss that felt a little weird, N’vanik shifted to the side to take most of his weight off the greenrider.
“That was so sharding good,” he murmured against Z’kim’s shoulder.
“Mm-hmm.” Z’kim ran a gentle hand along his back.
Lethargy stole over him, and it would be all too easy to give in, but he didn’t want to fall asleep with Z’kim’s jizz all over him. So N’vanik reluctantly got up and went to the washbasin.
“I suppose you’ll be heading home now.”
N’vanik snorted. “Not yet. I’m not going to skip our nap.” The cool washcloth wiped the sticky mess from his skin and he looked over to see Z’kim with his head propped on one arm, giving him a curious look.
“You know, people really _will_ talk if Dolphin Cove’s new Weyrleader comes all the way here for Warroth’s flight and then spends an extra long time with me in the flight room.”
He certainly wasn’t wrong about that and N’vanik felt a little flicker of worry. There was already plenty of gossip about him . . . well, what was one more thing, then? The bronzerider shrugged. “So what?”
Z’kim chuckled. “At least _that_ hasn’t changed.” The man rose and headed toward the other basin.
After a moment, N’vanik said, “I know I haven’t been a very good friend lately.”
“You’ve . . . had a lot going on.”
That was a sharding understatement. “Still. I’ve only seen you a handful of times since . . . well, since I got sent to Dragonsfall.” After he punched H’lib in the face for rubbing salt in the raw wound of his guilt and grief.
“Faranth, are you going to guilt trip yourself about this too? Broody wher.” Z’kim sighed. Then he added, softly, “I did miss you, though.”
N’vanik finished cleaning and went looking for his underwear. “Bein’ Weyrleader means I’m busy a lot, but I want to make time for you. Come visit you here, and you can drop by Dolphin Cove once in a while. I need you to help keep me sane.” He found his underwear half under the bed and pulled them on. Then he climbed back in and tugged the light furs up to his waist.
The greenrider snorted. “That’s a tall order.” He slid into bed next to him and N’vanik reached for Z’kim. “Nuh-uh. Roll over, I’m the big spoon this time.”
N’vanik arched an eyebrow but did as he was told. Z’kim settled against his back and put an arm around N’vanik’s waist. The feel of the man’s warm body against his was familiar and comforting, and it was almost enough to make N’vanik forget the turmoil of the past two Turns. “Hey Zeke? I love you.”
The greenrider sucked in sharp breath and went stiff. N’vanik turned his head and laughed when he saw Z’kim’s wide-eyed expression. “Not like _that_. You’re my friend, and we could die in ‘Fall tomorrow. I figure I should let people know I care about them before it’s too late, that’s all.”
Z’kim shook his head. “Talryne really has changed you.”
N’vanik’s expression turned soft and warm. “Yeah, she has.”
“Faranth you’re so sappy. It’s disgusting.”
Chuckling, N’vanik settled against the pillow and closed his eyes.
For a moment there was nothing but the sound of their slow breathing, then Z’kim said softly, “I love you, too.”
“Faranth you’re so sappy.”
“Shut up!” Z’kim shoved him.
N’vanik laughed, and then they were both giggling like boys. Shards, he’d really needed this.
~*~End flashback~*~
“I think we broke him,” Talryne said.
N’vanik managed a laugh between heaving pants for air.
A warm, low chuckle came from behind him and Z’kim began kissing his way up N’vanik’s spine. “It is satisfying to see him so utterly spent.”
“Temporarily,” N’vanik muttered against Talryne’s shoulder, causing both his lovers to laugh. With an effort, he shifted to take some of his weight off her and leaned up to kiss her, even though he was still trying to catch his breath. Reaching back, he found Zeke’s arm and caressed it. N’vanik’s whole body was still humming with pleasure, his mind floating in bliss.
“Sharding amazing,” he said between kisses. It was deliriously wonderful to be pressed between them.
Z’kim tugged him up to claim his lips and Talryne began kissing his neck. “I want to ride you,” she said, mouth hot against his skin.
“Maybe a nap first?” N’vanik suggested.
“Definitely broken,” Z’kim said.
Last updated on the July 7th 2025