Tattoo

TATTOO



by: lovelycrazy







CHAPTER 2: Gender Banter and Eavesdropping





King Vasska didn’t bother masking his aggravation after the healer exited the room and Chrome entered the King’s chambers where a comatose Devara lay oblivious to the world around him. He was totally alarmed to find his mate sprawled out in the carpeted floor, naked and once again out cold, when he returned to check on him. Although the royal healer’s claims were good to hear, it brought little peace to his muddled mind. He had plenty of questions and so far, only few got answered since Chrome returned and they’ve had a brief talk. And that was two days ago. He purposely left the commander alone to care for his mate and prepare a report.



“My King…” Chrome bowed respectfully to his sovereign with his right knuckle clenched over his heart.



“Chrome, my friend, how was your mate? Last time I inquired, he was still sleeping.” Vasska asked as he beckoned the commander to sit with him at one of the chairs flanked on a tea table. It wasn’t the first thing he wanted answered but it’s a fair start. He also understood that it was hard for his childhood friend to leave his newly-found mate to report to him, especially after the blonde went through an ordeal such as being poisoned. It, however, didn’t mean he cared less. In fact, he was concerned and highly disturbed that the serpents found his and Chrome’s mates in the other world. He had long suspected the serpents were out hunting their mates like his men were. But he didn’t think they’d get this close. He suppressed a shiver as he thought of what might have come down their mates if the commander came a second later than he had.



“My mate is yet to wake, my liege. But I made sure he is well when I left. I asked healer Sasha to check on him this morning and he said my mate is fine.”



“That’s good to know but does it sit well with you if he wakes and you are not there?”



“No, my liege, but Sasha told me I’ll have a couple hours to myself before that.”



“Was it the poison? He’d slept the whole two days off without waking.”



“Part of it, my liege. Sasha said it was exhaustion. His magical essence has gone a little below normal.” When Vasska made a curious gesture with his head, Chrome proceeded to explain. “When I first came upon him in the other world, engaged in a fight with three serpents, I noticed he was emitting so much magical essence than was previously thought possible of generating in the outer world. He used his own essence unwittingly, I believe. He must have gone berserk because when he had calmed, he was lost to the recent events.”



“I see. Have you any idea why he went on a rampage?”



“No. But my guess is it has something to do with the Royal Counterpart.”



“My mate?”



“When I arrived at the scene he was down on his knees clutching her chest.”



“ Her chest?” Vasska emphasized the pronoun to indicate his confusion, which was misinterpreted by Chrome.



“Yes, Your Majesty. She must have been hit in that region and this…”



“I’m sorry but you must be confused, my mate is like every Wielder, a male, as humans say it. He may be a counterpart who, like the females of the human species, could also bear children. But that hardly qualifies to call him a her.”



Chrome blinked. Did he mistake the Royal Counterpart during their first meeting? It was quite dark and there was urgency in the situation that he might have missed a few details…no matter how major they may be. He thought of that few minutes and, remembering those ample breasts and voluptuous curves, no, definitely a female…aside from the strength, maybe.



He looked at his king. Was he making fun of him then? Heaven knows the guy had disturbing tendencies of pulling his leg at unexpected times.



“You’re being rude.”



At Chrome startled yet blank look, Vasska explained.



“You had that look when you accuse me of something.”



“I wasn’t accusing you of anything.”



“Really?” Vasska gave him both a dry tone and face which Chrome diligently ignored. Instead, he took a quick peak over the king’s shoulder and to the bed where he knew the royal counterpart lay. He couldn’t see the person, though, as the drapes were drawn and only an inch-wide gap allowed inspection.



Noticing his friend’s gaze flicker momentarily to his bed, Vasska narrowed his eyes for two reasons. First, Chrome was definitely puzzled with something concerning his mate. And second, having someone look at his sleeping beauty in such a vulnerable state, concealed within thick drapery or not, doesn’t sit quite well with him. Though, he refused to acknowledge the latter part. So to prevent his commander from noticing, he spoke up.



“Chrome, whatever it is, spill it already.”



Though the King spoke with impatience and boredom apparent in his voice, Chrome still took a few seconds arguing in his head. His king seemed to be serious enough, but knowing Vasska who must have the highest degree in schooling one’s expression, Chrome couldn’t help but be cautious.



“Chrome…”



A warning.



His hesitation began to irk Vasska, so Chrome spoke up, finally choosing between ‘damn serious’ or ‘fooling around’.



“Vasska…” He called the king slowly and with familiarity indicating his seriousness. He also looked him in the eye, searching for any signs of mischief.



“You’re not just pulling my leg, are you?”



Of course, he’d choose ‘fooling around’.



Vasska, in turn, narrowed his eyes and leaned a little forward.



“I will literally pull your leg off your pelvis if you don’t start talking.”



“Oh, so you’re serious…” Chrome, for his part, was truly astonished and not threatened in the least. He knew Vasska wouldn’t actually pull his leg off his body. But he might just pull his leg to the point where it would almost pull off.



If Vasska hadn’t found their discussion crucial, he would have actually pounced on his very boorish friend. Instead, he just growled and glared daggers in Chrome’s way.



“Uhh, sorry. Can’t help it.” He shrugged nonchalantly.



Vasska’s eye twitched.



Really, best friends know what buttons to push.



Vasska shook his head as he leaned back to his chair, deciding to drop the subject.



“We’re getting sidetracked here, Chrome. Alright, what was it you were trying to say?”



Chrome sobered up instantly. Now that he was certain Vasska wasn’t kidding, he didn’t quite know how to break his thoughts to his friend. He thought of asking about the royal mate’s descriptions or maybe inspect the mate in question himself, but that would be…



“Five…”



“Four…”



“Three…”



“Your mate is a woman.” Chrome blurted out when he realized his friend was counting down which signifies His Majesty’s patience will end when the count hits zero and there will be unspeakable things to befall the person who had annoyed the monarch.



“Two…”



“I mean I swear I saw your mate as a woman when we were at the other world.”



Unknown to the two wielders, the person in question has already awakened and was listening to their conversation from the time the king growled warningly at the commander.



Devara knew he was eavesdropping, but after reacquainting himself with the situation – that is, gingerly touching his still manly bits and trying to remember any place which could possibly have such extraordinarily large bed and luxurious covers and drapes and where he might likely end up asleep – he figured his actions were justifiable when he still couldn’t place anything right. He was still a man and in an unknown place where he had no idea how all these could happen without his knowledge. As far as he was concerned, it was merely an assessment of the current situation he’s in, and he wasn’t intruding or anything of the sort. He was just out to gather information which might enlighten him somewhat.



“Vasska, I’m not lying, alright? I saw it. Her breasts were quite noticeable, she had curves only possible to a woman, and her voice was feminine.” Chrome sounded quite desperate, a little embarrassed, and a whole lot guilty. He felt like he was cheating on Jamie by enumerating another person’s qualities. He was thinking too much, though.



“You could ask Nathan and Chris. See if I was spouting nonsense about your mate.” With this, Chrome crossed his arms over his chest stubbornly, trying to make his point.



“Okay, I believe you, BUT I happen to see him all exposed for my eyes to devour this morning and I say his anatomy is like every other counterpart’s.”



“You checked your mate out?” Chrome sounded scandalized. He knew his friend was perverted but not at an unhealthy level like some peeping tom.



“No, you-” Vasska sighed as he closed his eyes and slowly massaged the bridge of his nose, trying to calm himself. “He woke up this morning the few minutes I was away. He must have wanted to shower but somehow fainted along the way. Got it? I did not peep, strip or harass him!”



As the two prominente, the dominating partner in a Wielderian couple, continued to argue, Devera listened and he couldn’t shake the feeling that they were talking about someone he was very well acquainted with. After all, only one person’s name came to mind when he asked himself who was once a woman and now mysteriously became a man, met the guy who had the familiar voice – what’s his name? Chrome?, fainted from shock and not considered he was deficient in body covering.



If his memory served him right, the name was Devara. Oh, and he is Devara. What a coincidence!



Not.



He almost gave out a frustrated sigh but managed to stop himself at the last second. Being discovered was the last time he needed right now. And he had more pressing matters at hand.



First, he needs to find a way to turn back to how he used to be.



Second, who were the mister from before and the man with the sensual voice? And, my God, did he just say he’d seen him wearing nothing but his birthday suit?



Third, what are those scaly people, or are they even human at all?



Next, where exactly is he?



Fifth, where is his cousin…



His cousin…



An image of Jamie’s bloody arm, the poison, and the image of Jamie collapsing, pallid, cold…



“Jamie!” Devara shrieked unwittingly as he remembered his cousin and the previous state he recalled seeing the blonde.



Well, so much for eavesdropping.



He sat up abruptly, glad that he was somehow clothed, then looked up at both men who had rushed to the bed and opened the drapery. A split second seemed to last forever when Devara’s and Vasska’s eyes met. Worry overwhelmed Devara, though, so he immediately narrowed his eyes on Chrome who almost flinched at the weight of his stare.



“Where. Have. You. Taken. My. Jamie.” It was spoken softly but the venom there was unmistakable. Deadly even. Vasska had a moment to swell up with pride before it was crushed with envy – envy at the protectiveness his little mate displays toward Chrome’s mate.



Chrome, on the other hand, first felt threatened then irritated at the Royal Counterpart’s blatant claim on his mate. How dare he call him his? Then, something occurred to both him and Vasska.



Are their mates romantically involved with each other?



With the great deal of concern seen or heard from both parties, the idea was not quite far-fetched.



What would they do then if it was the case?



“…”



Make them theirs, of course. It would be hard, yes, but they’re quite resourceful and creative. Surely, they’d find a way. But first, make certain of things such as this. It isn’t healthy to jump to conclusions and would surely complicate things when they’re proven wrong.



“He is still resting, Your Highness.”



“Resting? Where? I want to see him.” With that, Devara stood, missing how the Chrome once again addressed him as \'Your Highness\' and preventing any protests from the two speechless men. It was the wrong move, though, as he staggered sideways and fell on Vasska who happily supported his meager weight, well, for a Draconian Wielder, anyway.



“Careful now. As much as I’m glad you’re up and eager, we can’t have you fainting on me again.”



Devara spared Vasska a glare for two reasons, namely, for the men to mistake anger from his flushed state, and to show his irritation at using the term ‘fainting’ on him. As far as he was concerned, the word is solely used for wimps and he isn’t, in any way, one. He wasn’t about to argue about his opinion, though. He needed to see Jamie…badly.



When he could manage standing upright without the world giving out on him as well as his legs, Devara sighed. Now that he had calmed, he realized he was being rude to both these men who had helped him and Jamie in one way or another and treated them well. He turned to face both towering Wielders and, bowing from the waist up, he apologized.



“I’m sorry.”



He straightened after a moment and looked them both in the eyes and then continued. “I was really rude and ungrateful to both of you just now. I had no reason to behave as such, and for that, please excuse me.”



Vasska and Chrome could only exchange looks; interacting with the royal mate was like riding a roller coaster with it’s abrupt high’s and low’s, except, one was never certain where the next minute would take you and where you might actually end up with him.



“It’s quite alright.” It was Vasska who spoke first and broke the awkwardness, at least, the two of them felt. “You were just worried about Jamie, your…”



“Cousin. One and only cousin.”



The two could have grinned and jumped with glee if it weren’t so unbecoming of them. Not to mention, they’d look like fools in front of… they paused.



What is the Royal Counterpart’s name?



Both Wielders thought and then stared at the little counterpart in front of them. They need not ask, though, as Devara remembered his manners.



“Oh, how embarrassing. My name’s -”



“Devin…” Somebody gushed in the doorway. All heads turned to the speaker who’s no other than…



“Jamie!” And just like fourteen years ago, on that fateful day at the lake near their rest house when Devara was still Devin, he all but threw himself to his beloved cousin’s arms much like the young Devin once again. Both shed tears of joy and relief as they relived the past they’d long forgotten and believed to have been only bizarre dreams.



“I missed you.” The counterparts declared at the same moment, making them smile as tears smeared their faces.

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A/N: Yeah, it was quite short and full of drabbles but this was actually important in developing my characters. Have patience with me, neh? I hope this didn\'t kill your mood or intent in watching out for the next installments. Thoughts and opinions are always welcome, though. Just leave me a review and rate while you\'re at it.