Bird of a Nest - Chapter 17: Chapter 17
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Nel'os sat next to Dyn'ad gingerly on the nest, Ryraso fast asleep next to him. The man looked exhausted. He wasn't sleeping, he was practically passed out. His face was twisted stressed and his hand was clutching Dyn'ad's shirt like a lifeline. Nel'os could see the stress in Ryraso's shoulders and the whites of his knuckles. It was unsettling. He wasn't even sure just when the stress had leaked out. He didn't agree with Pol'ar observations about the link but Nel'os could see how stressed Ryraso was now.
"I suspect about five minutes after Eyeri's back was safe from being branded," Dyn'ad murmured gently, reaching over and yanking Nel'os against him. Nel'os pressed his face against Dyn'ad shoulder and curled as close as he dared without touching Ryraso's arm. "Once Eyeri was safe, his own issues were about to appear."
"It's been days... I was with him almost the entire time," Nel'os breathed, distress filling his chest. They had been watching for Ryraso having issues. It was almost evitable. Yet. He hadn't seen it until too late. "How did I miss it?"
Dyn'ad kissed Nel'os hair and nuzzled his hair. "We didn't notice either. He didn't sleep well last night. It's entirely possible that he was able to contain it until then," Dyn'ad pointed out gently.
"He was worried about his friends. About Isst and Wiljam," Tai'ray hummed through the link, spreading a blanket of warmth and love over Nel'os. Mentally he joined the embrace Dyn'ad had with Nel'os and settled against their minds comfortably as he ignored an argument between two of the nobles happening in front of him. "He's feeling torn between us and them," Tai'ray guessed softly.
"That could be an issue," Dyn'ad grimaced as Nel'os curled tighter.
"Ryraso begged me to it happen. Said I was the best person to try get over his issue with. And to not make it something its not," Nel'os thought mournfully. Thinking of the look in Ryraso's eyes as he had done so. Ryraso had looked desperate. It was what made Nel'os stop."He just said he wanted it over with. Whatever 'it' is."
"That's something only Ryraso will be able to answer, if he knows himself," Tai'ray mused.
"If... If it is sex. If he does want to get it over with so he is entire with us and not waiting for when he finally crosses the line. I'll do it," Dyn'ad mused darkly. "I don't want you two doing it," he settled on firmly, mentally batting away complains and confusion. "I don't mean having sex altogether. I mean currently. He's clearly not truly ready for it but if it's driving him to extremes, it may be kinder if I give him it. At least with me, it's having sex with the head of the nest. With me, it's different."
There was hesitation on both Nel'os and Tai'ray's ends. It was certainly true if Ryraso was not ready they didn't want to force him into it. Tai'ray's own scars burned at the idea of having sex with Ryraso before he was ready. Nel'os was uncomfortable with the idea. Forcing things like that was not healthy. But. It was also true that punching walls wasn't exactly healthy either. What would be the bigger evil? Making Ryraso wait and grow more stressed or letting Ryraso get it over with like a chore?
"We do need to talk to him about his threat to sleep with others too," Nel'os murmured, not sure what to say to that. Dyn'ad was the head of the nest. There was some argument to say that there was more legitimately from him being the one to help Ryraso with this.
"You can't force him," Tai'ray pleaded gently. He was reluctant to call it a plea and yet it really was. He didn't want Ryraso unhappy with them. He didn't want Ryraso's first time with any of them now he was back to be forced or difficult.
"We will and I won't. I will talk to Ryraso about this. If he wants me to do it, it will be with measures," Dyn'ad promised, his mind already offering several ideas. He was not about to rape Ryraso. He did not want to be that kind of Head. If Ryraso wanted to make things solid physically, it would be discussed and sure between them. Most importantly it would be safe. "As for sleeping with others, I wouldn't worry too much. Even angry, Ryraso is too smart to go sleeping with the wrong person."
Nel'os flinched and looked down at Ryraso. His arm had moved and he shifted. Ryraso's eyes weren't open but he could feel Ryraso's mind stirring. Nightmares, it felt like. Ryraso's face twisted and his body curled like it was in pain. Dyn'ad kissed Nel'os' forehead as they watched. It didn't take long for Ryraso to awaken. Not suddenly, but slowly. Dredging from the waves of exhaustion that were trying to keep him down. Ryraso was still so tired from his outburst. He hadn't rested long enough yet.
"Easy," Dyn'ad murmured, keeping his voice low. He ran a hand down Ryraso's back gently. Ryraso almost seemed to move with the touch, pressing into it like a cat. "You're safe. Nothing will harm you here," he promised. Ryraso murmured, just a sound no words or meaning. He pressed against Dyn'ad and shifted.
Dark blue eyes fluttered sleepily, looking up and over. A dull fuzziness that suggested Ryraso wasn't truly awake only passing through. Eyes met Nel'os'. Nel'os looked away and Ryraso frowned. Nel'os could almost feel Ryraso's mind clicking, pulling up memories.
"Nel," Ryraso breathed, sounding confusing. Until the moment Nel'os felt the pieces click and suddenly Ryraso's mind was wide awake. He stiffened and tried to roll away. Only Dyn'ad was ready and quickly wrapped an arm around Ryraso to stop him from going anywhere. Nel'os turned and looked. Ryraso was sitting upright, facing away from them.
"No," Dyn'ad declared firmly. "Lie your ass back down and rest. You are still recovering."
"I'm better. I should go. I shouldn't be here," Ryraso commented dully. Hurt screamed from his chest and Nel'os could feel it. He wasn't sure if it Ryraso's chest or his own. Just the sensation of damage and sinking. "This is Nel'os' safe place, not mine."
"It is both," Dyn'ad challenged. "I've already told you Ry. You can stay here, where you belong. Or you can go in the cage. Your decision."
Suddenly Ryraso's mind was gone from next to Nel'os'. Nel'os almost gasped as the loss of the connection, pressing a hand to his chest to help himself breathe. He knew the connection, the bond, was not stable. It was not a true bond yet after all. Still, that was the first time he had felt it rip away like that. Or cut away. The separation felt sharp, like a blade. Coupled with the knowledge that Ryraso wanted to leave, it was too much. A noise that was more birdlike than human escaped his lung and he lunged.
The grip he ended up with around Ryraso was tight. Ryraso pushed to the bed below him, and looking at Nel'os wide-eyed as Nel'os sat straddling his waist and pressing onto Ryraso's nest. Nel'os could feel his wings above him stretched and ready for a fight. His talons were digging into Ryraso's shoulders and he was snarling.
"Nel'os," Dyn'ad said cautiously but didn't move to stop him. Ryraso looked startled at Nel'os' actions but didn't smell scared.
"You are going nowhere," Nel'os declared almost forcefully, his eyes meeting Ryraso head on. Power rolled off Nel'os and a determination to make what he was saying true. His talons pressed on Ryraso's chest and he could see the surprise in Ryraso's face in the look of his eyes and how his mouth rounded slightly.
"Ok?" Ryraso offered almost hesitantly, shifting to reach up and touch one of Nel'os forearms. "Ok. I'll stay here."
Nel'os snarled again but his wings lowered and he took a deep breath to calm himself. Ryraso didn't move and Dyn'ad shifted so he was closer to them. A hand rubbing Nel'os lower back as he pulled himself together. "You are ours. We are yours. This is your space as much as ours. You are weak now, this is the safest place for you to be. Do not mistake me saying no to fucking you as me rejecting you as a mate, Ryraso. You gained my heart a long time ago, I do not let go of the things in my heart easily," he said firmly, before dipping down and kissing Ryraso firmly.
Reassurance flooded through Ryraso as Nel'os quickly made it clear through that kiss that Nel'os still wanted him here. Ryraso reached up to comb his fingers through Nel'os hair and the two shifted. Nel'os slipping so he was lying next to Ryraso, legs tangling and arms surrounding Ryraso. Nel'os leg was on top of Ryraso's, tucking the human half under him, still very much holding Ryraso in place so he couldn't escape easily. Nel'os took care not to jostle Ryraso's fragile arm too much and kissed his cheek again. There was no gap between them as the clung to each other. Dyn'ad smiled softly at the two of them fondly.
Ryraso shifted so he was more comfortable but didn't fight the hold. If anything he was helping it as he gripped onto Nel'os himself. He was warm. He smelt good and familiar. He still wanted him. Breathing softly and cuddling close, Ryraso let his heavy eyes close and fell slowly make to sleep feeling far better with the world knowing Nel'os wanted him. Clinging to Nel'os and the 'mine' echoing through his mind in a far more fond way that he had thought possible.
Holding Ryraso close, Nel'os kept his lips pressed to Ryraso's forehead and his nose buried his Ryraso's hair. Ryraso wasn't leaving. He knew that. And yet the idea of letting go even just a little bit was too hard to even think about at the moment. It was silly. Ryraso hadn't even been planning to go anywhere further than his own room. Yet Nel'os chest was hurting too much.
"You can let go of him a little," Dyn'ad chuckled as he moved some sheets over them and adjusted some of the pillows to be around them to make them more comfortable.
"I want Cai'ress," Nel'os whispered out loud. Dyn'ad froze, not able to see Nel'os eyes at the moment, only the back of his head and his wings trembling. "I want him, Dyn," he said more firmly but there was a break in his voice.
"I know," Dyn'ad nodded, sitting on the bed and stroking Nel'os wings. "We can't have him," he said idly, knowing it wasn't what Nel'os wanted to hear right now but unable to stop himself pointing out the problems with that.
"Doesn't stop me wanting him," Nel'os sniffed, closing his eyes and tugging Ryraso closer. Ryraso, at least, wasn't going anywhere. "I want him," he repeated one last time before closing his eyes and letting himself doze. There had to be something he could do to convince Tai'ray to give the man a chance. He just had to think of it.
Dyn'ad sighed but didn't say anything, shifting so he was once again sitting with Ryraso laying next to him, this time guarding two of his loves. Nel'os was not going to let go of Cai'ress easily.
"I suspect about five minutes after Eyeri's back was safe from being branded," Dyn'ad murmured gently, reaching over and yanking Nel'os against him. Nel'os pressed his face against Dyn'ad shoulder and curled as close as he dared without touching Ryraso's arm. "Once Eyeri was safe, his own issues were about to appear."
"It's been days... I was with him almost the entire time," Nel'os breathed, distress filling his chest. They had been watching for Ryraso having issues. It was almost evitable. Yet. He hadn't seen it until too late. "How did I miss it?"
Dyn'ad kissed Nel'os hair and nuzzled his hair. "We didn't notice either. He didn't sleep well last night. It's entirely possible that he was able to contain it until then," Dyn'ad pointed out gently.
"He was worried about his friends. About Isst and Wiljam," Tai'ray hummed through the link, spreading a blanket of warmth and love over Nel'os. Mentally he joined the embrace Dyn'ad had with Nel'os and settled against their minds comfortably as he ignored an argument between two of the nobles happening in front of him. "He's feeling torn between us and them," Tai'ray guessed softly.
"That could be an issue," Dyn'ad grimaced as Nel'os curled tighter.
"Ryraso begged me to it happen. Said I was the best person to try get over his issue with. And to not make it something its not," Nel'os thought mournfully. Thinking of the look in Ryraso's eyes as he had done so. Ryraso had looked desperate. It was what made Nel'os stop."He just said he wanted it over with. Whatever 'it' is."
"That's something only Ryraso will be able to answer, if he knows himself," Tai'ray mused.
"If... If it is sex. If he does want to get it over with so he is entire with us and not waiting for when he finally crosses the line. I'll do it," Dyn'ad mused darkly. "I don't want you two doing it," he settled on firmly, mentally batting away complains and confusion. "I don't mean having sex altogether. I mean currently. He's clearly not truly ready for it but if it's driving him to extremes, it may be kinder if I give him it. At least with me, it's having sex with the head of the nest. With me, it's different."
There was hesitation on both Nel'os and Tai'ray's ends. It was certainly true if Ryraso was not ready they didn't want to force him into it. Tai'ray's own scars burned at the idea of having sex with Ryraso before he was ready. Nel'os was uncomfortable with the idea. Forcing things like that was not healthy. But. It was also true that punching walls wasn't exactly healthy either. What would be the bigger evil? Making Ryraso wait and grow more stressed or letting Ryraso get it over with like a chore?
"We do need to talk to him about his threat to sleep with others too," Nel'os murmured, not sure what to say to that. Dyn'ad was the head of the nest. There was some argument to say that there was more legitimately from him being the one to help Ryraso with this.
"You can't force him," Tai'ray pleaded gently. He was reluctant to call it a plea and yet it really was. He didn't want Ryraso unhappy with them. He didn't want Ryraso's first time with any of them now he was back to be forced or difficult.
"We will and I won't. I will talk to Ryraso about this. If he wants me to do it, it will be with measures," Dyn'ad promised, his mind already offering several ideas. He was not about to rape Ryraso. He did not want to be that kind of Head. If Ryraso wanted to make things solid physically, it would be discussed and sure between them. Most importantly it would be safe. "As for sleeping with others, I wouldn't worry too much. Even angry, Ryraso is too smart to go sleeping with the wrong person."
Nel'os flinched and looked down at Ryraso. His arm had moved and he shifted. Ryraso's eyes weren't open but he could feel Ryraso's mind stirring. Nightmares, it felt like. Ryraso's face twisted and his body curled like it was in pain. Dyn'ad kissed Nel'os' forehead as they watched. It didn't take long for Ryraso to awaken. Not suddenly, but slowly. Dredging from the waves of exhaustion that were trying to keep him down. Ryraso was still so tired from his outburst. He hadn't rested long enough yet.
"Easy," Dyn'ad murmured, keeping his voice low. He ran a hand down Ryraso's back gently. Ryraso almost seemed to move with the touch, pressing into it like a cat. "You're safe. Nothing will harm you here," he promised. Ryraso murmured, just a sound no words or meaning. He pressed against Dyn'ad and shifted.
Dark blue eyes fluttered sleepily, looking up and over. A dull fuzziness that suggested Ryraso wasn't truly awake only passing through. Eyes met Nel'os'. Nel'os looked away and Ryraso frowned. Nel'os could almost feel Ryraso's mind clicking, pulling up memories.
"Nel," Ryraso breathed, sounding confusing. Until the moment Nel'os felt the pieces click and suddenly Ryraso's mind was wide awake. He stiffened and tried to roll away. Only Dyn'ad was ready and quickly wrapped an arm around Ryraso to stop him from going anywhere. Nel'os turned and looked. Ryraso was sitting upright, facing away from them.
"No," Dyn'ad declared firmly. "Lie your ass back down and rest. You are still recovering."
"I'm better. I should go. I shouldn't be here," Ryraso commented dully. Hurt screamed from his chest and Nel'os could feel it. He wasn't sure if it Ryraso's chest or his own. Just the sensation of damage and sinking. "This is Nel'os' safe place, not mine."
"It is both," Dyn'ad challenged. "I've already told you Ry. You can stay here, where you belong. Or you can go in the cage. Your decision."
Suddenly Ryraso's mind was gone from next to Nel'os'. Nel'os almost gasped as the loss of the connection, pressing a hand to his chest to help himself breathe. He knew the connection, the bond, was not stable. It was not a true bond yet after all. Still, that was the first time he had felt it rip away like that. Or cut away. The separation felt sharp, like a blade. Coupled with the knowledge that Ryraso wanted to leave, it was too much. A noise that was more birdlike than human escaped his lung and he lunged.
The grip he ended up with around Ryraso was tight. Ryraso pushed to the bed below him, and looking at Nel'os wide-eyed as Nel'os sat straddling his waist and pressing onto Ryraso's nest. Nel'os could feel his wings above him stretched and ready for a fight. His talons were digging into Ryraso's shoulders and he was snarling.
"Nel'os," Dyn'ad said cautiously but didn't move to stop him. Ryraso looked startled at Nel'os' actions but didn't smell scared.
"You are going nowhere," Nel'os declared almost forcefully, his eyes meeting Ryraso head on. Power rolled off Nel'os and a determination to make what he was saying true. His talons pressed on Ryraso's chest and he could see the surprise in Ryraso's face in the look of his eyes and how his mouth rounded slightly.
"Ok?" Ryraso offered almost hesitantly, shifting to reach up and touch one of Nel'os forearms. "Ok. I'll stay here."
Nel'os snarled again but his wings lowered and he took a deep breath to calm himself. Ryraso didn't move and Dyn'ad shifted so he was closer to them. A hand rubbing Nel'os lower back as he pulled himself together. "You are ours. We are yours. This is your space as much as ours. You are weak now, this is the safest place for you to be. Do not mistake me saying no to fucking you as me rejecting you as a mate, Ryraso. You gained my heart a long time ago, I do not let go of the things in my heart easily," he said firmly, before dipping down and kissing Ryraso firmly.
Reassurance flooded through Ryraso as Nel'os quickly made it clear through that kiss that Nel'os still wanted him here. Ryraso reached up to comb his fingers through Nel'os hair and the two shifted. Nel'os slipping so he was lying next to Ryraso, legs tangling and arms surrounding Ryraso. Nel'os leg was on top of Ryraso's, tucking the human half under him, still very much holding Ryraso in place so he couldn't escape easily. Nel'os took care not to jostle Ryraso's fragile arm too much and kissed his cheek again. There was no gap between them as the clung to each other. Dyn'ad smiled softly at the two of them fondly.
Ryraso shifted so he was more comfortable but didn't fight the hold. If anything he was helping it as he gripped onto Nel'os himself. He was warm. He smelt good and familiar. He still wanted him. Breathing softly and cuddling close, Ryraso let his heavy eyes close and fell slowly make to sleep feeling far better with the world knowing Nel'os wanted him. Clinging to Nel'os and the 'mine' echoing through his mind in a far more fond way that he had thought possible.
Holding Ryraso close, Nel'os kept his lips pressed to Ryraso's forehead and his nose buried his Ryraso's hair. Ryraso wasn't leaving. He knew that. And yet the idea of letting go even just a little bit was too hard to even think about at the moment. It was silly. Ryraso hadn't even been planning to go anywhere further than his own room. Yet Nel'os chest was hurting too much.
"You can let go of him a little," Dyn'ad chuckled as he moved some sheets over them and adjusted some of the pillows to be around them to make them more comfortable.
"I want Cai'ress," Nel'os whispered out loud. Dyn'ad froze, not able to see Nel'os eyes at the moment, only the back of his head and his wings trembling. "I want him, Dyn," he said more firmly but there was a break in his voice.
"I know," Dyn'ad nodded, sitting on the bed and stroking Nel'os wings. "We can't have him," he said idly, knowing it wasn't what Nel'os wanted to hear right now but unable to stop himself pointing out the problems with that.
"Doesn't stop me wanting him," Nel'os sniffed, closing his eyes and tugging Ryraso closer. Ryraso, at least, wasn't going anywhere. "I want him," he repeated one last time before closing his eyes and letting himself doze. There had to be something he could do to convince Tai'ray to give the man a chance. He just had to think of it.
Dyn'ad sighed but didn't say anything, shifting so he was once again sitting with Ryraso laying next to him, this time guarding two of his loves. Nel'os was not going to let go of Cai'ress easily.
End of Bird of a Nest Chapter 17. Continue reading Chapter 18 or return to Bird of a Nest book page.