Azul's bookshelf was now filled with a bunch of books. Him and Kemal were on the sofa except one was reading a book while the other was resting on his lap. While he was flipping through the pages, he stroked the thing's head with gentle care. There was no movement from him for quite a while, urging Kemal to check whether he died or not.
His forehead was burning hot but his flames died out a while ago. Once it got dark enough, he planned on taking the animal outside once more to cool off. This place's nights were incredibly cool, much more comfortable than where he originally came from.
He read up on the world's rules and acts. It was pretty easy to understand, he loved to read and would always read all sorts of fiction in his spare and work times.
Pheromones… But I couldn't smell anything! Please tell me I'm not recessive! My first time in such a situation and I got the worst type!
Kemal felt the need to chew on the book but he chose to restrain himself. Now was the perfect time to get up and carry this man outside. Everything went smoothly, as easy as that, he opened the door before throwing the sleeping man over his shoulder and walking out.
A familiar figure was already waiting at the usual spot, he didn't turn around but Kemal was watching his tail pick up its pace.
Hah! These things really have a tendency.
Kemal stationed himself and Azul back to their usual spot. He could see his face slightly better if he would only turn his head.
There was no need to say anything, the younger man already knew the deal.
To his surprise there was the same ship docked once more. But it wasn't there during the day. Does it always dock at night?
"In the morning, it's always gone," he pointed out. "Why do you think that is?"
The man raised his head and shook his head.
"Maybe the ship is tired." A familiar yet unfamiliar voice responded back.
"Poor ship." Kemal chuckled.
"Is that a problem?" The man tilted his head while admiring the other ship before him.
"If me being here isn't a problem, why should the ship be? I take much more space than that anyway!" he laughed sarcastically before moving to check Azul's temperature.
"You have a nice laugh."
"What?" Kemal turned to the man but his head was facing away.
I must've misheard, I've been hearing all sorts of things lately.
Taking a deep breath of fresh air, a gentle scent suddenly began roaming the very air he was breathing, another was rougher but they seemed to not collide with each other.
With an exhale, the younger man shook his head and decided to take another breath, but the air suddenly smelled different.
Is it that… Pheromones? Must be from both of them.
He leaned closer to Azul to sniff, he seems to have the stronger smell.
I can't believe such a big guy can smell like candy!
He decided not to question it since it could possibly be rude to point out the smell of someone's pheromones.
"You smell nice." He mumbled not realising it reached the man's ears.
The man's tail picked up its pace once more with neither of them noticing, his tail began lazily swaying back and forth, a pleasant way to display his content.
Candy dragons.. What a yummy thought.
Azul's forehead finally cooled down and Kemal prepared himself to carry him away, the man offered his hand out to help but the younger one decided to just shake his head.
When back at the room and finally leaving the man behind, he shut the door quietly and laid Azul back on his bed.
He ran his fingers through Azul's blue hair while staring at his sleeping form.
You remind me so much of him...
His gaze lingered a bit longer than it should've, until Azul's eyes shot open. A red glow was still lingering. Kemal quickly retreated his hand, but Azul snatched his wrist and pulled it back on his face.
"Azul?" Of course it's not Azul!
"Yes?" A shaky voice that kept breaking in on itself responded back.
He wants to be called Azul?
"Why aren't you sleeping?"
Or does he think because his flames are gone I can't tell the difference?
"You weren't there." It responded back.
"I never left your side." Kemal insisted but the thing shook its head.
"You see me near you, don't you?" The boy sighed, it was tiring.
The thing kept silent, an expression of guilt breaking out before he flung himself into Kemal's arms.
"What's the matter?" Kemal's voice carried a hint of concern. He couldn't possibly predict what was said next.
"I CAN'T FEEL MYSELF!!"
Its voice was exactly like it should be, except Azul's normal voice was speaking at the same time as it was.
Their voices were combined into a messy fight for dominance, but at the end, Azul's body dropped and fell back unconscious.
Kemal quickly caught his body before it could hit the ground and placed him back on the bed.
—
"Why can't he?" Kemal stood before the captain, his eyes tired.
He was up all night, worrying about whether Azul would wake up and burst again.
"His father decided it's for the best." The dragon man responded back.
You bastard… That's all the answer you can give me!? You smell awful and sound stupid!
Kemal covered his nose and turned his head away, he disliked the sugar-less smell of his pheromones now.
"So you can't give me more?" Kemal met the dragon's pupilless eyes.
"Why do you want more?" His voice was cold.
I'll get more.
Kemal turned away and walked out, shutting the door quietly behind him. Ever since he could smell pheromones, it was rather overwhelming having all these new smells overshadow the usual smells.
Maybe because he didn't quite learn how to filter them out, but it definitely wasn't something pleasant. Although some men smelled truly remarkable, turning the boy almost addicted.
There were many glares on him, chasing him all the way to Azul's room.
"What are you doing?" He found Azul surrounded by his flames, a fire tail lazily swaying behind him as if he had been waiting.
His sulk was pretty clear, but with flames this high this definitely wasn't Azul. He woke up while Kemal was gone.
"Azul?" His voice called out gently, making the man's tail sway faster.
"Yes?" The creature's voice was still the same.
"Why did you use your powers after you woke up?" Kemal asked, stepping closer he took the man's chin.
It was as if scolding a dog; the innocent eyes but still tearing at your cushions.
"Wasn't me." He sounded so genuine, well, as genuine as endless shadows could sound. Kemal had to drop it.
This brought him to the next stage of his plan, to figure out why everyone told him to suppress his flames.
Suddenly Azul extended a letter out to Kemal.
"Ah?" Surprised, he took the open letter and decided to read through it.
Leave? It was a letter from who he could only assume was Azul's family. They were calling him back, to come home.
That won't do. Kemal tore the letter in half.
"No." He spoke firmly and raised the pieces to Azul's flames, watching them light up quickly and fall apart. Azul wore an unreadable expression, his eyes locked onto the burning letter. It's his flames, they did that.
As the ashes trickled onto the ground, Azul picked up a faint piece of ash only for it to fall apart underneath his nails.
"Azul?" Kemal's voice snapped him out of his trance.
"I'm here." Two voices responded back. Not just Azul was back, but the other half never left.
"I have chores to do." Azul's voice shook.
"There's nothing wrong with your chores, you don't have to talk to anyone, I'll be at the deck or your room if you need me." Kemal reassured.
Azul didn't respond anymore but hugged the boy tightly.
Ugh..! Hugs…
Kemal didn't reciprocate the hug but didn't fight it either. Azul left the room shortly after, in a hurry.
I'm sure he'll be fine.
Kemal was waiting a bit before leaving the room when suddenly the door slams open.
"CUT IT OUT!!!!" A screech caused Kemal to recoil while covering his ears.
"Ah! Shit!" He hissed while the ringing of his ears only got louder.
"THAT'S WHAT YOU GET!" Yasing scoffed before shutting the door behind him.
"You bastard! Did you just use your ability on me! What a dumb magic trick!" Kemal cursed while rubbing his ears.
"IT WORKED! ON YOU! NOW LISTEN HERE!!" Yasing approached in a huff, his wings spreading out. "WHATEVER YOU'RE DOING TO AZUL STOP THAT!!"
"I'M NOT DOING ANYTHING!" Kemal rebottled.
Yasing let out another ear piercing screech, throwing Kemal back.
"YOU SHITTY CROW!" The boy cussed out while slowly getting up.
"YEAH, THERE'S MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM! CROWS CAN HANDLE MORE THAN JUST A CAW OR TWO! YOU THINK I HONESTLY BELIEVE AZUL DOESN'T SEE ME AS A FRIEND?!" He prepared his chest for another loud screech but a book hit his face with a heavy thud. "SHIT!"
"LISTEN HERE!" Kemal yelled as he ran up to the man to tackle him down. "AND LISTEN GOOD!" A slap echoed through the room.
"I am doing nothing to Azul. He's thinking, and a man in thought stops listening to the things he believes disrupt his thought progress."
Kemal grabbed onto the man's chin, lowering his head down until he was close enough to his ear.
"You're all a hindrance." His voice sank low. "Maybe instead of starting a fight you can't win, you go to the main field, and face Azul yourself, see if your dog would bite its former owner."
With a laugh he released Yasing's face and got up. Kemal left the room and made his way towards a shaded part of the deck.
When he left out the door he was surprised to find the ship hadn't left.
"Hey!! Newbie!" A beastman waved from afar. "Help me out here!!"
"Sure."