Jabberwocky - 9. Dance

IX. Dance

Jordan and Brandon decided to join the Odwayon villagers in celebrating the summer solstice. Brandon was initially reluctant to intrude on their customs and traditions, but Sumna had told him that it was an honor for the Odwayons to have foreigners there to participate and that it made the spirit of the celebration stronger. The village essentially shut down at mid-day, when the majority of the villagers served up a large feast, after which everyone retired with their full bellies for several hours of rest.

Brandon and Jordan dined with Sumna and Jassa and their group of acquaintances in Odwayon. Brandon appeared relaxed and confident, but he said little and stayed close to Jordan. When they got back to their pod to rest, Brandon tried to lie down next to him and sleep, but instead found himself shivering, shaking so hard that he made the bed tremble. He felt a little stupid; logically he knew that Rajar was still in Driamor, but he just couldn't help thinking that Rajar could transform himself into any of those people, and couldn't stop the panic he felt whenever anyone looked at him too long or with too much interest. That afternoon, Jordan let himself be pulled against Brandon’s body and held him, stroking Brandon’s hair.

“It’s okay,” he reassured him quietly. “I won’t let anyone hurt you. You’re safe with me.”

Jordan stayed awake a little bit after Brandon had eventually drifted off, gently rubbing Brandon’s back. It was to comfort him almost as much as to comfort Brandon. Jordan had never even considered how Brandon might react around a group of people he didn’t know, but it didn’t surprise him that it had stressed Brandon out. He would have been frightened too, and Jordan was a little irritated with himself for not noticing it sooner.

Jordan pulled Brandon’s body a little closer and pressed his face into Brandon’s long hair. Jordan noticed the many naps that Brandon took during the day, but he also knew that Brandon slept very sporadically at night. He knew even before Brandon disclosed the rape that Brandon was having difficulty sleeping and had often heard him get up in the middle of the night and exit the pod, pace around or just toss and turn for hours. Jordan had done much the same thing after his parents died and especially after Sam had died, sleeping often during the day, almost not at all at night. He wondered if Brandon had nightmares. Jordan noticed that while Brandon seemed to sleep better with him, he often still woke up in the night, shifting and stroking Jordan‘s chest or stomach. Brandon wasn’t the only one having insomniac nights.

Jordan’s stomach gave an unhappy twist every time he thought of what Brandon had been through, but as long as he was recovering, no matter how long it took, that was all that mattered.

Temporarily satisfied, he fell asleep.

* * *

Jordan was prepared to watch Brandon like a hawk and drag him off at the first sign of anxiety, but Brandon seemed to genuinely enjoy the festivities of the night, watching with enchanted eyes and an occasional tiny, but genuine grin working its way across his face. They were both a little leery of full participation at first, and for a while, they both just watched, perched on the edge of one of the lower walkways. There was a great deal of storytelling at first and traditional songs chanted around large bonfires. Brandon listened to the Odwayon myths, most concerning the fierce harpies, who were responsible for protecting the forest from predators and the dryads, who were responsible for creating the forest in which the Odwayon lived. Highly respected members of Odwayon society, priests and teachers, had donned costumes of feathers and wings while others had spread brown makeup over their faces and limbs. They saw Sumna and Jassa, strolling around nonchalantly with their wings on display, excited villagers clustering around them, touching their wings and asking for a blessing.

At midnight, the storytelling trailed off and the mood took on a slightly different turn. The priests gathered together and sang some prayers, their voices rising up in the quiet night air, and Brandon felt chills break out over his body, every single hair standing on end. He could feel something, dancing over him and electrifying the air. But he wasn’t afraid. Whatever he was feeling, fear was never a part of it. Regardless, when the prayers were over and the celebrations took on a more lighthearted feeling, Brandon couldn’t deny his relief.

The music changed into something more intense, sweet melodies from woodwinds and strings underscored by the steady beat of drums. Old music, powerful music. Drawn by the sound, Brandon and Jordan ventured down to the ground celebrations.

Brandon’s sharp eyes were able to pick up the musicians scattered throughout the trees, wearing the same brown makeup that the priests and teachers had donned earlier, helping them blend into the forest and giving the impression that the music came from the trees themselves.

Most of the revelers dressed down as sweat dampened their bodies, men taking off shirts and women following suit, many of them also hiking their skirts up, revealing ankles, knees and the occasional slip of a thigh or buttocks. Jassa and Sumna had put their wings away and were dancing with the rest of the villagers.

After a while sitting and watching, Brandon got to his feet, pulled Jordan up and joined in with the rest of the dancers. Jordan smiled, surprised but delighted, and let Brandon spin him around. It reminded him of the night Jordan had taken him out to Purgatory, the way Brandon, beautiful and exotic looking, had pulled him out onto the dance floor, overflowing with excited energy and eager to burn it off. Jordan realized, in the middle of the dancing, sweating crowd of Odwayon, that the Brandon from Purgatory, that beautiful, uninhibited side of him, might be gone forever, taken away from him by Rajar. Even now, he could see the guarded look in his eyes, the suspicion written in his body language. It was a far cry from the boy who had claimed to be drunk and stained Jordan’s mouth with black lipstick after a clumsy kiss.

The music slowed and Brandon moved closer, tilting Jordan’s face up towards his.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Jordan shook his head, willing away unhappy thoughts. “Nothing,” he said and meant it. Rajar hadn’t taken Brandon away from him. Brandon had just changed. And Jordan had changed, too. And what Brandon had been through didn’t make Jordan love him any less. If anything, it made him love Brandon more.

Jordan moved in and caught Brandon’s mouth in a kiss. Brandon’s mouth was hot, as was the skin burning underneath Jordan’s fingertips as he gripped Brandon’s hips. Brandon’s hands moved over Jordan, catching his lower back and neck, cradling his body as he returned the kiss. Brandon’s mouth moved hungrily over his and Jordan felt a response pull deep within him, eagerly pressing up against Brandon as the younger boy pulled him closer. He was up against Brandon as much as he could be, face, chest, groin, and was feeling that familiar pull, that need. He wanted Brandon more than he had ever wanted anything. His mind threw up a token resistance, telling him it was too soon, that Brandon was still not ready, that their rebuilt bond was still too fragile, but most of that was easily swept away under the ceaseless demands of his body for more contact.

Brandon finally pulled away, his eyes glowing hotly, reflecting the light of the bonfires around them. “I need you,” he said, his voice low and sexy.

Jordan nodded. “I know.”

They left the curious eyes of the revelers on the ground, climbing up the walkways to their own pod, the simple physical exertion building up the smoldering desire in Jordan’s body into a raging inferno. He wanted Brandon so much; it was a physical need, like the need to eat or sleep. As much as he wanted it, a part of him was disgusted and dismayed at his lack of control, at his disregard for how this might affect Brandon, who might not be ready, mentally or emotionally, for this kind of intimacy again. But Brandon didn’t seem to mind, replying to Jordan’s eager touches and kisses with his own.

Finally, Jordan’s nagging conscience got the better of him and he pulled back reluctantly, even as his whole body screamed in frustration at the sudden loss of contact. “I need to know…that this is okay,” Jordan gasped. Brandon’s smell was assaulting him, making him want to paint his lover’s body with his tongue, to taste every inch of him. A traitorous hand crept back to Brandon’s body, curving over his shoulder. “That it’s not too soon or-”

Brandon kissed him, stopping him mid sentence and tasting the inside of his mouth. “I’m fine,” Brandon reassured him after the kiss ended. “Lie down.”

Jordan’s descent onto the mattress was soundless, tempered with sweet compliance as Brandon moved over his body, lips seeking him out. He melted into the kiss as Brandon’s hands traveled over his body, stroking pecs and abs, deltoids and biceps. When hands lingered near his beltline, Jordan gently broke the kiss, studied Brandon’s face.

“Do you want to finish undressing me?” Jordan asked, making it more of an invitation than a request. He slid his hand down to brush lightly over Brandon’s. “Or should I?”

Brandon gripped Jordan’s hands, kissed the back of them and firmly moved them away from his waist, folding them back onto his chest. He bent, pressing another kiss to Jordan’s stomach. Slowly, carefully, he eased Jordan’s pants over his hips and down his legs. He knelt down near Jordan’s feet and pressed a kiss to a slender ankle, the bend of his knee, the sharp angle of his hipbone. Brandon’s trek brought his mouth back to Jordan’s and he kissed him deeply. Jordan moaned and rolled his hips up, pressing his bare erection against Brandon’s cock, still hidden behind a thin layer of cloth. Brandon gasped, then pressed his hips forward, enjoying the friction. Suddenly impatient, he stripped off his own pants, laying skin to skin against his lover, drinking in the simple contact, the smell of Jordan’s skin, the heat radiating out from his body. He kissed Jordan again, deeply, then drew back, searching his face.

“I want you,” he whispered. Dawn was streaming in through the window, casting everything in gold and pink, enchanting everything in a spell he was afraid to break. “But I can’t--I need to--”

“You don’t even need to ask baby,” Jordan said, reaching up to touch his face. “Just prep me, okay?”

Brandon nodded and got up, retrieved a bottle of oil from his belongings. Jordan raised an eyebrow, wondering where Brandon had gotten it, but decided that he had better things to focus on. Like the oil Brandon was drizzling over his cock and balls, the slick finger pressing against him, seeking entrance. Jordan gasped as Brandon slid a finger inside. Brandon took Jordan’s cock in hand, gave it several quick strokes.

Brandon watched Jordan carefully, knowing it had been a long time, taking his time preparing his lover and building up his own courage. Lust and anxiety battled in him, each one trying to overtake the other. He let his eyes roam Jordan’s body, glowing in the early sun, casting gold shadows over his face, highlighting the play of muscle across his body. He had recovered well from his long sleep.

Brandon added some more oil, sliding in another finger. Jordan moaned a little, arching his back. Brandon continued to prep and tease until Jordan was squirming and thrusting down onto his fingers.

“Baby, baby, please,” Jordan said in the low sexy voice Brandon loved so much. Brandon pulled his fingers free carefully and slicked oil over his cock, which was hard and aching. He slid a hand under Jordan’s knee, lifting his leg before lining up and pushing forward. Jordan winced a little--it had been a long time, and despite Brandon’s thorough preparation, there was a little discomfort, a little pressure and burn. But Brandon was patient and understanding above him, leaning down to deliver another kiss, maneuvering Jordan’s leg so it wrapped around his waist.

“Love you,” Brandon whispered in his ear, one hand resting on Jordan’s hip, the other supporting his weight on the bed. Jordan glanced up to return the endearment, and was stunned by how beautiful Brandon was while hovering over him, his hair tousled and his eyes dark and fathomless, his lips swollen and his face and neck pink and sweaty.

“Love you too, baby. More than anything,” Jordan said.

Brandon smiled and began to thrust, moving easily and gently until he felt Jordan’s body relax and accept him, then began to move in earnest. Gentle rocking gave way to determined fucking, moving both of their bodies in a discordant symphony of springs and creaking wood, sunlight warming and illuminating their bodies. And then it was just him and Jordan and the way Jordan was moving underneath him and the too sweet sounds he was making. Brandon felt fingers clutching him desperately, a strong leg locking around his waist, and it was just the sensation of sinking into damp, tight heat again and again.

He came quickly and wasn’t even sure if Jordan had as well until he felt the wetness of cum against his skin as he collapsed on top of his blond haired lover. He could hear Jordan’s rapid pulse underneath him and shifted to press his lips against Jordan’s chest, right over his thundering heartbeat, imagining he could feel each racing beat against his chapped lips. Jordan’s hands were cradling his head, petting his hair and stroking the back of his neck and words were lost, but neither cared enough to try to find them.

They just slept.

* * *

Jordan was frustrated when he finally woke up later in the day to find himself the only occupant of the bed. But he couldn’t be angry with Brandon, because he vaguely remembered Brandon waking him up earlier to tell him he was going out. Jordan, half asleep and sore everywhere, had just mumbled a drowsy assent before falling back asleep. He hadn’t even thought to ask Brandon where he was going.

Deciding that he definitely needed a bath, he got up, dressed and walked to the hot pools. He felt every step of the journey. His shoulders, arms, legs and back were sore from the exuberant dancing they had done the night before, and he was sore other places from their more intimate activities. He stayed in the springs a little bit longer than was required, letting the hot water relax his sore muscles.

On the way back, he came across a group of Odwayon villagers cleaning up some of the debris from the previous night’s celebrations and helped them for a while. Then he returned to their pod, switched sheets, since Brandon was hardly using his bed anyway, and sat down on his cot. He opened the book on Charion, looking through it again.

“Maikeeli…” he murmured, thumbing through the pages until he found it. There was no photo of Maikeeli, but it did show the same strange swirling symbol that Brandon wore around his neck. According to the book, Maikeeli was one of several lesser gods, not unique to Odwayon, but known in most regions under many different names. He was a healer that had achieved god status and often appeared in his purest form, that of a child. Everything matched up with what Brandon had told him.

Jordan sighed and closed the book, his mind running over last night. He felt like he had really been pushing Brandon, desperate for contact, but Brandon hadn’t once told him no. He wondered if Brandon was okay with what had happened, if it was too soon. He wished Brandon was here.

There was a knock on the door and Jordan’s hopes didn’t rise. Brandon wouldn’t knock.

“It’s open.”

Jassa peeked around the doorway. “Can I come in?”

Jordan gestured her inside. “Of course.”

“Brandon is out with Sumna, just in case you were wondering. They both wanted to find a quiet place to sketch and I think Brandon needed someone to talk to.”

“He can talk to me,” Jordan said quickly, then internally winced as he realized how defensive and jealous he sounded.

“He knows that, I’m sure,” Jassa said. She sat down on Brandon’s bed before Jordan could come up with a good reason to stop her and decided not to say anything. If she noticed any of the stains or odors, she made no mention of it. “But sometimes it is easier to talk to someone who isn’t as close to the situation as you are.”

“I‘m not following you,” Jordan said.

“Brandon might feel like he doesn’t want to talk too much about what happened to him to you. He might think that it’s a burden on you, hearing about how he was victimized, and he doesn’t want to hurt you. But he can’t keep it all inside either. It’s not healthy. And Sumna has been through something similar, so he has someone who can relate to him on his side.”

Jordan looked down at the book he was still holding in his hands. “Did Brandon tell you?”

Jassa shook her head. “No, but he told Sumna. Not everything, but enough. And we are bonded on a level where everything she knows, I know.”

“Tertiary bond, right?”

Jassa nodded. “Yes. Also, Jordan, if you need someone to talk to-”

Jordan shook his head. “I’m fine.”

“Jordan, really, this affects you too. You can’t pretend it doesn’t. After Sumna and I were attacked-” Jassa suddenly stopped talking and pressed her lips together, lowering her head. She pressed her fingers against her eyes, humming lowly underneath her breath for a moment.

“Are you okay?” Jordan asked, concerned.

She took a deep breath and nodded, raised her head. “Yeah. It’s just sometimes--” She took another deep breath and shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

“I thought Sumna was the one attacked,” Jordan said, carefully watching her face.

“We were both attacked. Sumna was raped. I was just beaten.”

Holy-

“By someone here?” he asked.

Jassa shook her head. Her eyes shined, but no tears fell. “Before we came here. It’s why we left our world. We can’t go back.”

“Why not?”

“We’re fugitives. We stabbed the person who raped her. He was pretty highly regarded in the community.”

“Who was he?”

“Sumna’s fiancé.” Jassa made a face.

“Why would he want to hurt her?” Jordan asked, confused. “Or you for that matter?”

“I’m sure you’ve noticed that Sumna is a very attractive young lady.”

Jordan could feel himself blushing. “It has caught my attention, yes.”

“Her marriage was arranged. A powerful, successful man in our town wanted a pretty, docile wife.” Jassa rolled her eyes. “We met and teamed up while she was still engaged. Her fiancé didn’t like the time we were spending together. So we started meeting in secret, then he found out and jumped to the wrong conclusion and things just got out of hand.” Jassa reached up and rubbed her shoulder. “He beat me, pretty badly. But first he made sure to rape Sumna where I could see it. We escaped later on, but he sent some of his people after us. Sumna gave herself up to them while I was recovering so I would be safe.”

“Oh my God,” Jordan whispered. He was stunned. He had noticed that Sumna and Jassa had a pretty intimate relationship that almost mirrored his and Brandon’s at times, but he had never given much thought to what kind of events they went through that would bring them so close together.

“So once I had recovered slightly, I contacted several people I knew I could trust. We broke into the house where he was keeping Sumna and rescued her. We had a better escape this time. But before we left, Sumna stabbed her fiancé. Multiple times. I’m not one hundred percent sure that the stab wounds killed him, but he was bleeding pretty badly. At any rate he won’t be able to rape anyone again.”

Jordan winced. “Thanks for that.”

Jassa smiled and it wasn’t friendly. “He had it coming, believe me. I spent two months in the healer’s tent recovering. It was thought that I wouldn’t be able to fly again. I was so happy to prove them wrong.” She flexed her shoulders. “Although I’m more likely to have to pay the consequences the next day, but that could just be age.”

“Can the men where you come from fly too?” Jordan asked.

Jassa shook her head. “No. It’s an ability that only occurs in the females.” She shifted on the bed. “So anyhow, Jordan, the point I was trying to make is that we had a really hard time when we first came here. I wanted to talk about what had happened, but I was worried about bringing up bad memories for Sumna. And she wanted to talk about it, but she felt guilty, because it was her fiancé that had done this to us. She thought he had crippled me.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Jordan said.

“Of course, but feelings aren’t rational things. Sumna ended up talking to the healers and I found my own confidants here. It helped, as well as the bond we had.”

“Which one?” Jordan asked.

“The tertiary one,” Jassa said. “It made it easier for me to understand what she was going through and vice versa. Sometimes, what you can communicate through a bond is more effective than trying to put feelings and thoughts into words.” She propped her chin in her hand. “I’m not saying this is the case, but if it is, undergoing a tertiary bond might help both of you with the healing process.”

Jordan frowned. “What does it involve? The book you gave me didn’t mention specifics.”

“A psychic healer would be best, but anyone with psychic ability will suffice. You’ll need them to walk you through it. It’s very intense, a little scary. Trust is an absolute. There will be no secrets during the bonding process, everything is laid out. Be prepared to have strange dreams and random thoughts that are not your own, especially the first couple days while your mind accommodates. You and your Creator will probably need several days to get used to new abilities, preferably with the same psychic that guided you through it. But once you get used to it-” Jassa smiled and spread her hands, “-it’s wonderful.”

Jordan considered that. He would like to know a little of what was going on in his boyfriend’s head at times. Especially now. But would Brandon be willing? He had already suffered an unwilling invasion of his body, he didn’t know if he would accept an invasion of his mind, even a voluntary one.

“I’ll have to talk to Bran about that one,” he decided. “It is his decision.”

“The decision has to lie in both of you,” Jassa corrected. “If either one of you is unwilling, it won’t work. It could even harm you or him.”

“I’ll have to talk to him,” Jordan repeated.

“Okay, okay.” Jassa grinned and held up her hands. “Let me know if you want some more info. And the invitation to talk is still open as well.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”