Page 23 of To Fall for a Dragon

“I worry when you do that. You have a tendency to run,” Hakko said bluntly. “Did I do something? Was I coming on too strong?”

Poe shook his head slowly. It wasn’t Hakko who was the problem. It was Poe. Poe and his reliable self-preservation instincts.

“I didn’t mean to gush so much over your words. They are beautiful, but I realize sometimes I can be overwhelming. It’s hard to remain silent,” Hakko apologized. He looked so put-upon that Poe went around the kitchen’s space and straight into Hakko’s uncertain embrace. Hakko froze for a moment before cuddling him close.

The hug was everything to Poe. It was firm and cozy, comforting and warm. Hakko was just right. Poe lifted his chin and offered himself to Hakko. He was ready for Hakko and to feel those full lips on his own.

Hakko slowly kissed Poe. It was careful and considerate. Every millimetre was one where Poe could easily say no. He wasn’t going to. He was going to say yes. Yes to the feelings coursing through his body, including what he buried deep within himself, and yes to something he could hold on to. The aromas of rich wine and old paper wafted through the air. It was an experience becoming aroused by a scent. Hakko’s scent.

The heat from Hakko warmed Poe from the inside. He slid his hand up Hakko’s neck and tugged gently on the soft strands of hair. How had he gotten so lucky? With tentative kisses, Poe explored Hakko while burning the sensation into his memory. It had been so long since he’d touched or been touched by a kind hand. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever be ready for it.

“Is this what you want?” Hakko whispered. Poe blinked at him, clawing his way back to reality.

“I don’t know. Give me more than that.” Poe strained to reach Hakko’s mouth, hoping to drown in the rush once more.

“Poe, I must make sure you’re doing this for you and not out of obligation. It’d break me if that were true.” The vulnerability in Hakko’s voice stopped Poe, forcing him to clear his mind.

He stepped out of Hakko’s embrace and ran a shaky hand through his hair. “I’m not sure how I can do that.”

“As much as I want to take you and claim you as mine, I can’t do that. You have to make that decision.” Hakko brought Poe’s hand up and placed it on his cheek. The slick feel of scales under his palm was odd, but still familiar. “Come sit in the den with me.”

Hakko led him to a room with a long couch and bookshelves covering every wall. They sat beside each other awkwardly.

“I’ve never done this as a… as a thing. It’s always been furtive and behind closed doors,” Poe confessed. He shook his head and laced his fingers together, almost regretting taking his hand away from Hakko’s warmth.

“That’s not me. I’d never do that to you. Come stretch out with me.” Hakko lay on the long couch and patted the space beside him. Poe studied the long, muscular body with interest. Hakko was still wearing the cardigan and T-shirt. He was sweet and cuddly, but under the cozy clothes was a dragon, strong, scary, and invulnerable. Hakko patted the space again, and Poe curled himself around Hakko.

“Can I ask questions?” Poe whispered. This was what cuddling was for? “About your… scales and stuff?”

“Sure, of course. May I do the same?” Hakko requested. Poe almost shuddered. Exposing himself to Hakko’s inquiry was dangerous. He’d be sharing part of himself he didn’t like. Hakko, however, had already read the letters and seen the books. He’d uncovered the seedy side of Poe. “Nothing scary or hurtful, I promise.”

Poe swallowed audibly before nodding. His restless fingers picked at the soft fabric of a woolen blanket. “I don’t like to be… ambushed. I’m so tired, Hakko.”

“I won’t ask anything that hurts you. If it’s better for you, we can listen to the fire crackle,” Hakko offered.

Why did he have to be so nice and accepting? Why was he so patient with Poe?

“I don’t know what to do,” Poe said in the dim light. Hakko trailed a hand up and down Poe’s back, soothing him.

“Nothing. You don’t have to do anything. Ever.” Hakko kissed the top of his head, and Poe relaxed, sinking deeper into Hakko’s arms. He rested on Hakko’s chest, and he could hear the steady beat of Hakko’s heart.

“I was going to ask you about tails and things,” Poe explained. He was a teeny bit curious, and he was safe with Hakko.

“I have one. It exists elsewhere. I can feel it now. It’s curled around the bottom of our legs,” Hakko said. “This other space is not quite another dimension, but it’s not here either. Dragons, fairies, and other creatures with body parts that don’t fit with human norms use it all the time. Once your tail gets stepped on, never again.”

“That’s neat.” Poe’s eyes drifted closed, and he popped them open again. He wasn’t going to nap. He wasn’t tired or close to it. “And your horns?”

“I like the aesthetic they give me,” Hakko teased in a calm tone. “Are you happy, Poe?”

Of course Hakko would bring out the big guns. “I don’t know if I can be?”

“I think so. The man in the letters, he wishes to be happy. He wants to be free and content. His letters told me he longed to be himself.”

Poe didn’t say anything. He rubbed his nose against Hakko as he tried to work through the message in Hakko’s words.

“Poe?”

“Hmm?”

---