by Tygati
"Where is the pilot now?" General Sini asked.
"I let him go near a settlement," Promise replied. "I did not want to have to deal with watching a prisoner when our mission was already so volatile."
General Sini nodded. "Then you met up with the Pele?"
"Yes. That's when we found out Charlie and Zorevan and the Sekhmet's crew were missing and decided to go rescue them." Jeremey grinned. "Since we had a secret weapon and all."
Promise snickered. "That was fun."
"Yeah," Jeremey agreed, "and Sam gave me these things that blew holes in whatever I stuck them to. That's how we got in to where they were keeping our friends."
"Then we returned to our ships and left before we were caught in… whatever it is that Captain Derring did to the flagship," Promise concluded.
"Implosion device," General Sini supplied. "Technically restricted, but then again so are most of Captain Derring's favorite toys. Perhaps she will finally settle down now that she no longer need use them."
"So… it worked?" Jeremey asked hopefully. "The war is over?"
General Sini tapped a finger to the corner of her mouth, then spread her hands. "Not officially, no, but you did far more damage than you know. We had hoped to destabilize them, leave them too busy dealing with internal matters to concern themselves with us. We more than succeeded.
"The Vek have only four warlords left and they are all fighting amongst each other for the right to succeed the emperor. However, it is your flight over the city which has had the greatest impact. It appears to have incited a religious feud amongst the populace, some of which are claiming that you were a sign from their gods, while others appear to believe that you were a god."
Promise startled. "Surely not."
As he gradually managed to wrap his head around the whole insane concept, a slow grin spread across Jeremey's face. "Prince wasn't good enough for you, huh? Had to go for deity?"
Promise's eyes slid sideways. "I am not going to dignify that with a response."
Dheran, who'd been silent up until that point, started laughing. "I'm really going to miss you guys. Sure you don't want to stay? Maybe blow up some more stuff with us?"
Jeremey blinked several times. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Promise doing the same.
General Sini chuckled. "I was going to say the same, although it seems someone beat me to it."
A thousand thoughts raced through Jeremey's head. He wanted nothing more than to just go home to Noman where he belonged. As fun as this whole adventure had been, he didn't think he was quite cut out for the civilized life. He wanted wide open land, an endless sky, and the freedom of an entire world just waiting to be explored.
And yet… there was Promise. Here, Promise was free to be himself, without judgment. With all of the other species around, a shape-changing dragon wasn't anything unusual. On Noman, however, Promise would have to go back to being only a mere animal unless they were certain no one else was nearby.
Jeremey didn't think he could be like Charlie, only getting to talk and laugh with the one he loved for a few short hours each night. He didn't want Promise to have to hide who he was, or that Promise was the one who held his heart.
He snuck a quick look at Promise, who he discovered was in turn watching him. For once, he could not read anything of Promise's thoughts in his face.
"Can we think about it?" Jeremey asked, turning back to General Sini.
General Sini nodded calmly. "Of course. You may also wish to decide what kind of reward you would like for your role in ending the Vek war, as I'm certain that the Council will offer one to you when you go before them tomorrow."
Jeremey frowned. "We didn't ask for a reward. We just wanted to protect our people."
General Sini laughed softly. "Indeed. And yet it will be offered, so think of something."
As the vehicle slowed to a stop, Jeremey finally realized they had arrived at the parking facility of the Army headquarters. He piled out of the vehicle with everyone else, automatically keeping close to Promise, who was once more the only sane thing in his world.
Corporal Hewins and General Sini accompanied them to their room, the same one they'd been assigned when they'd first arrived, before leaving them to their own devices. Inside, Jeremey dropped his pack onto his bed before slowly turning to face Promise.
"Do you wish to stay?" Promise asked, no hint of his own thoughts coloring his words.
Jeremey shook his head in negation. "I want to go home, but… I don't want to lose you."
Promise blinked. "You will always have me."
"No, I mean…" Jeremey gestured at his friend. "The real you, both of you. I want to be able to talk to you and hear you talk back. I don't want to have to pretend that I don't love you."
Promise drew in a sharp breath, then crossed the distance between them in two long steps to enfold Jeremey into his arms. Slowly, Jeremey brought his own arms up to encircle Promise's waist, closing his eyes and dropping his head to rest against Promise's shoulder as he let the scent and feel of his best friend soothe his frayed and scattered nerves.
"What you suggest would fundamentally change everything about our way of life," Promise said after a long silence.
"What's wrong with that?" Jeremey mumbled into Promise's shoulder. "Isn't it time you told everyone the truth? How much longer are you guys going to keep hiding?"
The lean body in Jeremey's arms shook as Promise laughed quietly. "You sound like Zorevan," he said, amused. "Always charging in without hesitation, following your heart no matter where it leads you."
Jeremey finally looked up, meeting Promise's eyes. "It led me to you."
Promise smiled and ducked his head. "Well, yes. There is that."
"Would it really be so terrible?" Jeremey pressed, "If people knew the truth about dragons? Charlie and Zorevan wouldn't have to hide, Jack wouldn't be so stressed all the time, and you and me…" He exhaled slowly and added, softer. "I'd rather never go home than try to pretend that you aren't everything to me."
"Jeremey," Promised breathed. His arms tightened around Jeremey momentarily, then slid upward, one hand tangling in Jeremey's curls while the other adroitly removed Jeremey's hat.
Anticipating what came next, Jeremey tilted his chin up and closed his eyes.
An arm slid once more around his waist, pulling him close as the first brush of warmth was feathered across his lips. Jeremey made a soft sound, his mouth parting just enough to allow him to run his tongue across the line of his lips, wetting them.
Taking that as an invitation, Promise flicked his tongue across Jeremey's lips, making Jeremey shiver. He gradually sought to go deeper, bit by tiny bit, and Jeremey let him in willingly.
How long they remained that way, sharing breath and warmth and love, Jeremey didn't know. He did know that he felt bereft when Promise finally withdrew enough to rest their foreheads against one another.
"Wherever you go, I will go with you," Promise said softly. "I promise."
Jeremey's breath caught in his throat. He summoned a faint smile. "My promise. Just you and me." His brow furrowed as something that had been nagging him pushed its way to the forefront. "Or… should I call you, um…?"
Promise shook his head. "I would rather be your Promise than my father's Pritejna, whether that means going back to face him or leaving my homeland forever. As long as you are with me, it matters not."
"Oh," Jeremey breathed, more emotions than he could put a name to flooding him all at once. The hot sting of tears pricked at his eyes and he blinked them back furiously to keep from looking like a complete idiot. "Promise…"
Promise smiled and gently kissed the tears away. "You may, however, wish to consult with Sheriff Colcord before you make your decision," he advised, "as confronting my father would most likely affect Zorevan and himself as well."
Jeremey blinked, straightening. "Oh, of course. Why didn't I think of that?"
Promise grinned. "Because you are an idiot." He brushed a feather-ligh
t kiss across Jeremey's lips. "But you are my idiot, so all is forgiven."
Jeremey laughed and snatched his hat back from Promise, settling it down on his head where it belonged. "Yeah, but you're the one who follows this idiot into the fire, so what does that say about you?"
"That I trust you with my life," Promise replied without so much as the slightest hesitation.
All of the air rushed from Jeremey's lungs. He struggled to breathe. "Promise…"
Promise held a slender finger to Jeremey's lips. "Later. Right now, you have something you need to discuss with Sheriff Colcord."
Swallowing, Jeremey nodded. He took several slow breaths to steady himself before grabbing Promise's hand and setting off to go find Charlie and Zorevan.
*~*~*
The Council and Council room hadn't changed any since the last time Jeremey had been in it. The same assortment of people populated it, albeit wearing different clothing than before, all waiting in the same semicircle of floating chairs. As they approached, Prime Minister Dejen Kone stepped down from his chair and came forward to meet them, wearing bright purple this time instead of orange.
"My friends," he greeted, pressing the palms of his hands together and giving a slight bow, "you have our eternal gratitude for bringing about the end of this war which has plagued us for so many generations."
Jeremey somewhat awkwardly attempted to mimic the gesture, with Charlie doing likewise. Promise, of course, made it seem entirely natural, while Zorevan merely smirked.
"It was our honor to do so," Promise replied regally.
"I cannot express in words how much this means to us," Dejen Kone said, gesturing around them to the rest of the Council. "Consequently, it is this Council's wish to express our gratitude in a more tangible way. Please, name your boon."
Gracefully, Promise took a step back and looked to Jeremey. Jeremey swallowed and shot a brief look at Charlie before stepping forward, keeping his hands clasped together in front of him in an effort to hide his nervousness.
"Prime Minister, members of the Council, we came here in order to protect our home and our people. We want only what is best for them, and therefore would like to make our request on their behalf. The people of Noman have long fought to survive in a world which every day seeks to destroy them." Jeremey paused to take a deep breath, willing himself not to screw this up. "Therefore, we would like to request whatever supplies you can provide to ease that struggle."
There was a soft murmur amongst a few of the Council members that silenced itself a moment later. Dejen Kone appeared surprised, then he smiled broadly.
"Rare are those who, when granted anything they desire, think first of others before themselves. We will grant your request, Jeremey Jasper of Noman, with the highest of respect." He bowed again, and this time the entire Council emulated him.
Face heating up, Jeremey quickly returned Prime Minister Kone's bow before retreating back to the relative safety of his circle of friends. He was certain the entire Council could sense his discomfort, given the way Dejen Kone's eyes twinkled as he smiled.
"I am also given to understand that General Sini has extended an invitation to you to join her command," he said, to Jeremey's surprise. "I would like to expand upon that offer and assure you that you will all be welcome on Rylon and any world governed by the Galactic Federation for as long as you live."
Jeremey's mouth dropped open. Fortunately, Promise wasn't nearly so easily unbalanced.
"Thank you, Prime Minister," he said smoothly. "My friends and I have business we must attend to on Noman, but we are most grateful for your generosity. Perhaps we shall have opportunity to more fully experience all that your government has to offer someday soon."
"I welcome the day," Dejen Kone replied warmly, clasping his hands together and bowing again.
That was apparently some sort of signal, for one by one the rest of the Council got up from their seats, coming forward to clasp hands with each of the visitors from Noman before filing out of the Council room. Dejen Kone waited until last, passing each of them a slender silvery bracelet before himself departing. When it was all over, only General Sini remained.
"Well," she commented dryly, "So much for my hopes of luring you into the galactic army. With a Council-level pass, you can go anywhere you would like."
Jeremey eyed the silver bracelet warily. He didn't really think what they'd done warranted such an enormous privilege, but apparently the Council thought otherwise.
"All due respect, ma'am," Charlie said, nodding slightly, "I think right now the only place I want to go is home."
General Sini chuckled. "Of course. I expect it will take the Prime Minister a week or so to put together the supply freighter you requested, if you would like to catch a ride home with it. Otherwise, I will see if Admiral Yache has any battleships which can be diverted to the frontier."
"No need to go diverting other people's business," Charlie said wryly. "We're not so impatient we can't wait a week."
Jeremey and Promise nodded their agreement. It didn't matter if it was now or in a week; they were going home. What would happen once they got there, well, that was a whole different problem, but they would face it when the time came. If they were lucky, Sangkhara could be convinced that it was time for the people of Noman to know the truth about their dragons. If not…
He looked at his silver bracelet again, a slow grin spreading across his face. If not, there was a whole galaxy out there just waiting to be explored and a beautiful dragon who would be with him every step of the way, no matter what.
Fin
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tygati's head is filled with sunshine, rainbows, sparkly things, and dragons. The dragons get out from time to time but they always make their way home in the end, although sometimes not without a bit of a struggle.
Tygati lives with one fabulous Mikey who does excellent hair and regularly questions her fashion choices, along with two balls of hyperactive feline fur who pointedly do not answer to their names of Wasabi and Princess Buttercup and like to "help" the writing process by walking across and sleeping on the keyboard.
Tygati writes all her stories for her friends, both the ones she holds dear to her heart and the ones she hasn't met yet.
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