Dragon Drive

Chapter Eight:

Over Analyzing 

Obane’s recovery was a fast process once he was given food to fuel himself. James watched from a distance, finally able to take stock of the social aspects of each of the house members. Roume, when not acting like a total ass to James, was a father figure and a leader to the other members of the house – he was loud and obnoxious but everyone seemed to respect him. Dante was rarely far from his side and seemed almost dependent on Roume’s presence. Dorn, though ranked below Roume, seemed to be a confidant to everyone; even Obane seemed to have respect for him. Evran wanted to please everyone, and favored himself a jester of sorts, displaying small miracles of magic for practical jokes. Tarren was fidgety, which James assumed was abnormal, often found in a corner to himself. Dante insisted that it was because Roume had him house-bound as they tried to determine what happened.

Obane seemed to change everything when he walked in the room, James noted how Evran would often flee, Roume would go quiet and Dorn would square his stance. Everyone seemed nervous around the man, even when he was doing nothing more than eating.

It had been three days since Obane had started to heal. Ytal had returned to his lab to study James’ blood samples, however that left James with no one but Dorn to talk to on a friendly level.

By the fourth day, James had suffered through every rerun reality show that the cable got, had given up on reading every book in the library (after he discovered that the house had a library), and had subjected himself to relaxing on a sunny spot of the roof.

“Aren’t you afraid of sunburns?” Ytal had appeared without a sound, causing James to jump. “I didn’t mean to scare you, but I’ve been looking everywhere.” The violet dragon stood at the edge of the roof several feet from James, watching him with a keen interest that was ever present in his eyes when James was around.

James lifted a brow and snorted, “Sunburns? No way, they might let me know I haven’t died of boredom yet.”

Ytal chuckled softly and stepped over beside James, sitting down. He drew up his knees and set his elbows upon them, “You know it was pretty brave…what you did for Obane. You didn’t have to save him. Though, I’m very curious to know what triggered it.”

James wrinkled his nose, having no inclination to mention the dream, “If I’d have killed him I’d be no better than he is. Taking advantage of a helpless situation. Maybe I just wanted to prove that I’m better than he is in every fucking way, take some of that smugness off his face.”

“Hmm, you’re a very strong individual, James. Most people would have used the situation to their advantage.” There was a long pause, and a tension fell between them from something unsaid. Finally Ytal spoke, “I was mostly correct you know… I tested the blood of your dragon form against your human form. For most of us, there is no difference, these human forms are magical guises to hide our presence from humans; you however have some incredible differences. In your human form…you actually have too many chromosomes now. When you change into your dragon form it appears you lose a chromosome, giving you Persistent Müllerian duct syndrome.”

“Alright,” James cleared his throat and lifted his hands, “Try that again, but slow and in English.”

The dragon took a deep breath, “Alright. In every person, there is a set of X and Y chromosomes that ultimately determines many things, including gender. Now, the bloodwork I got to see from before you first transformed showed that you were a normal male, with one extra Y chromosome that determines male gender. Make sense?”

“Where did you get my previous bloodwork? Where did you get my dragon blood for that matter?” James shot, showing concern.

He cleared his throat, “Off topic. Now then. Your dragon’s blood shows that you somehow…lose a chromosome, the chromosome that made you entirely male. When you transform between forms, your body essentially rebuilds itself, restructures. Think of it as compressing a house into a car.”

“I thought matter can’t be created or destroyed, so how does that even work?”

“You’re right, it can’t be. However, there’s an element that very few understand called spatial displacement. We are surrounded by energy, all sorts. When we compress ourselves, we don’t destroy matter, we warp it. Billions of particles with our distinct bio-signature fill the world around us, and recollect when we let go of our ‘human’ selves. This is what many have come to understand as magic, but in reality, all magic is science.” He grinned.

James just stared at him with a blank expression, “How many degrees do you have?” He finally sputtered, “That was something out of a bad science fiction movie.”

The dragon chuckled, “In reality, our world is a bad science fiction movie. There are wonders all around us. You’ve never seen the Dreamer’s Forest, the Lava Lakes or Tiamat’s Kingdom. There’s so much of this world you haven’t gotten to experience yet.”

“You share Evran’s amazing motivational capabilities because if you haven’t noticed, I’m trapped here.”

Ytal sighed, “For a while perhaps. Although, Roume did offer you his car. You should go out for the day, get some air and some space.”

The idea met James like a cool drink of water in the middle of a desert. He sat back on his hands and tipped his head up, “If I go, I won’t want to come back.” He warned, closing his eyes, “I hate it here.” There was another long pause, James frowned, “Since you were checking my blood…did you see if I’m… I mean…it’s probably too soon to tell…” The words were like iron in his throat, cold and heavy.

“You want to know if you’re pregnant.” The dragon’s tone was clinical and cool, “Yes, I did happen to check for that… My results were inconclusive.”

James groaned, yet still felt relief. He could feign ignorance for a while longer, yet… “When will I know? I mean…should I get a pregnancy test while I’m out?”

Ytal chuckled, shaking his head, “Unfortunately the chemistry doesn’t work the same as a traditional female. I would need another blood sample. While we’re at it, would you please consider letting me give you an exam? Do this for me, and I promise I will leave you alone.”

“That’s…creepy.”

“It’ll annoy the hell out of Obane.” Ytal added with a bemused grin.

James stood up, “Alright so, where are we going?”

He laughed and stood, “I had a feeling that might convince you. I want to make sure you are comfortable, I will come to your room in, say, an hour?” He walked to the edge of the roof once more, “I really do want to help you. I appreciate this.”

James just snorted loudly, “Go get your stuff before I change my mind.”

 

#-#-#

James eventually found his way down from the roof, hands stuffed in his pockets as he meandered through the mansion. He found the kitchen and opened the fridge, pondering just how hungry he actually was. He stood there for only a few minutes before he became aware of eyes on his back, causing him to frown.

“I’m not moving.” James said stubbornly.

“I am not asking you to.” Obane’s voice was calm behind him, and their position only made James bristle more.

He straightened up and slammed the fridge closed, his appetite lost as he turned to face the dark dragon behind him. Obane was leaned against the counter opposite James, holding his gaze without returning any of the fury being sent from James. “What do you want then?” he snapped.

“You are my mate,” he stated calmly, “I wish only to be around you, be a part of your life.”

Those words did nothing to abate James’ growing anger and the man stamped his foot, “You are not my mate, you are a bastard!” He turned and stormed out of the kitchen, needing to be as far away from the dragon as possible. To his increasing anger, Obane followed him, keeping a distance, his eyes on James’ back. “If you don’t want anything then leave me alone!”

He heard Obane sigh as he moved into the hall, but this time he was not followed.

When James entered his room he jumped with surprise when he saw Ytal sitting in a chair beside his bed, picking along a small table of…instruments. His stomach suddenly felt queasy, “I thought you said an hour.” He snapped at the violet, wondering when he would get any time to himself in the veritable house of horrors.

“I didn’t mean to scare you, I was just setting up.” He looked up at James and tried to reassure him with a smile, “If I’m overeager I apologize. However the more I go over your blood cultures the more I find myself fascinated.” He did actually seem excited, which did nothing to quell James’ stomach.

He was nervous to ask, but he went to sit on the other side of the bed, as far away from Ytal as possible, “Did…you happen to see if…you know…” He could not bring himself to say the word, just one word. He finally cinched his jaw and grit out, “Pregnant.” He said it just to prove to himself that he could, as if saying it would take away the insufferable fear inside of him.

Ytal sighed, “I did check, however it’s too soon to tell. I’ll have to check your blood again in about a week’s time. However, with how dragons breed, I’m afraid that there is a very strong chance that you are.”

James felt sick again. He wanted to curl up in his bath tub or better yet, in his bed, in his home back in California. He felt himself growling again.

“Alright, I’m ready to begin when you are. I promise to be fast about it.” James looked up to see that Ytal had placed two small stands by his bed, plastic half-cuffs settled on top of thin, collapsible metal posts. “I will need for you to take off your clothes and sit down here, then put your feet up in the stirrups.

Another queasy roll at that word. Stirrups. It sounded so wrong, so sick. James steeled himself as he stood and pulled off his shirt first, realizing that his hands were shaking. The button and fly of his jeans were more difficult, but Ytal waited patiently as James worked his pants off and sat naked on the bed. He grabbed several pillows and shoved them behind his back, and with a few attempts, managed to get his heels into the cold plastic cuffs.

He felt completely exposed. His heart was slamming as he felt a draft along his lower body and he had to look away when he realized Ytal was staring right at his… He could not bring himself to think it, then finally forced himself to think of the word vagina, just to prove that he could.

Everything was silent for a moment, which to James’ chagrin only served to increase his frustration. Finally he heard Ytal say, “Fascinating!” Then James jumped when he felt a cold hand touch one of the scales along his nether regions. “You retain your vagina because your body won’t let you complete your transformation. Is it uncomfortable?”

James winced, “I have a creep staring at my junk. Nope, I’m completely comfortable.” He shot.

“I meant…in general.”

“I know.”

Ytal sighed and chuckled. “I apologize.” He said honestly, “Now then…” His hand cupped James’ balls which made the man flinch. They were slowly lifted, “It appears…that you have everything. That’s very uncommon. Do you still urinate from your penis alone?”

“…I will murder you.”

“It’s an honest question James. Please bear with me.” He sighed.

James mumbled something, completely tense. At Ytal’s prompting he grumbled out, “I have to sit down now.” It was a terribly embarrassing admission, one he had not been prepared for.

“I see…” He continued to touch, then James heard something click as it was lifted from the tray and made him flinch. “Relax,” he said softly. James heard a squeak and a pop, the sound of a cork being pulled from a bottle. A scent filled the air, one that he recognized instantly as purely Obane. James immediately looked to the door, but saw it was still closed, then over to Ytal who was holding a small vial of what appeared to be blood.

James squirmed some, he felt flushed and uncomfortable and felt saliva beginning to form in his mouth once more. “What’re you doing?” He asked sharply.

“Measuring your reaction.” Ytal spoke calmly, “I’m curious to see how your body responds to Obane on a more primal level. For instance,” He reached out and James flinched sharply when he felt a gloved finger slide along his vaginal lips. He snarled in rage however this quickly tapered off when he saw the glistening wetness held up for him to see, “Were you aware that it does this? Every time you are near Obane, it’s impossible not to smell.”

He flushed a deep red with embarrassment and rage, and though he recognized he was angry at his body’s crude betrayal he willingly allowed this to transfer to the doctor, “What’re you saying then?”

The man carefully re-corked the vial and set it aside, then took a pair of small tongs with a strip of gauze, “Hold still please,” he said as he reached down and James felt another brush, this time the gauze, sliding along his nether region, making him squirm. “I’m not saying anything yet. However I find it fascinating that your female organs exhibit a noticeably different response from your male.” He was putting the strip of gauze in a bag and nodded, “You display no erection at all.”

“Probably because I hate him!” James spat.

“Actually,” Ytal spoke in that casual tone that was getting on James’ last nerve, “Even in fits of anger, males will often display some form of sexual arousal. It’s a reaction of adrenaline and endorphins, I would assume that with these changes to your body, your female reproductive organs have ultimately overtaken the primary function of the male ones. Tell me, have you successfully masturbated since being inseminated?”

Another flash of red on his face, but James was too stunned to speak.

Ytal continued, “I have not scented as much on you. However I am also aware that you quite enjoy your long baths so I can’t say for certain.”

“I haven’t tried!” He spat vehemently, “Not that it’s any of your business!”

“Well, actually it is.”

Something inside of James snapped, much the same as when he saw Obane after he shifted out of his scales. He snarled and pulled back one leg, the stirrup falling away from his heel before he shoved forward. Ytal let out a sound of mixed shock and pain as he flew back, his chair toppling backwards with a loud crash. The man clutched his mouth where James’ heel had connected, and James reveled in the dribble of blood he saw between the man’s fingers.

“We’re done here!” James hissed as he stood and grabbed for his pants.

The door burst open and Obane stood with fire in his eyes. He looked between James and Ytal, “What is going on in here?” He asked, then scented the air.

“It’s none of your damn business, none of anyone’s business!” James’ voice was topping a shout as his frustration levels peaked, “Both of you get out!” He rammed his legs into his pants, snarling and spitting insults that he realized made no sense, but the cursing felt good rolling off his tongue.

Obane opted not to move, intent to watch Ytal pulling himself from the floor, gathering his supplies. Their slow speed only served to further wear on James’ annoyance and he made a brusque walk for the door, shoving Obane aside.

“James,” he said in a voice the made the man stop mid-step, “Where are you going?”

“Getting out of this house!” He pushed past the desire to remain still, practically threw himself towards the door. He grabbed a set of keys Roume had left for him to his truck, made his way out of the front door well aware that he was being followed, “Obane, do you really want me to kill you?”

“I fear if you leave you will not return. You are not safe when you are away from me.”

James snarled as he opened the truck, “I’m not safe around any of you lunatics! Besides, I figured you would try to kill Ytal, if you haven’t figured out he was touching me all over.”

The man snorted, “I fully intend to, and I have his scent. He will not elude me, however I am more worried about you running off.”

“Yeah, because the last time I did that, I got raped.” He slammed the truck door shut and locked it, put the keys in the ignition and the truck roared to life. When James looked up he gritted his teeth when he saw Obane standing before the truck, hands on the hood, stance braced.

They held each other’s gaze for a long moment. James shifted the truck into gear and revved the engine, because he would not hesitated to run the dragon over. Obane did not move, and James let go of the break, which caused the truck to jerk forward. Obane was pushed back, but remained upright, still holding the truck in his hands, refusing to move.

The look on the black dragon’s face was indeterminable. A mixture of concern and stubbornness.

“Move!” James snarled as he let the truck push forward once more.

Obane was pushed back once more, however James could feel he was pushing the truck back just as much, his golden eyes were flashing with determination and power.

Finally, with a snarl of rage, James put the truck in park and reached over to open the passenger side door, “If you’re going to be such a jerk about it, get your ass in the car.”

There was a pause, a look of significant surprise on Obane’s face, but finally he straightened up and carefully moved around to the passenger side seat. No sooner did he close the door beside him then the truck was in gear and lurched forward down the gravel path.

“Where are we going?” Asked the man.

“Don’t know, don’t care.” It would have to be a surprise…

---

AN - Hey guys, sorry for the short chapter. Those who follow my tumblr know I promised a long one. This is technically only half of chapter eight, well, not even half. However my IRL life has been so hectic (with my wedding less than a month away) that I’ve found little time or energy for writing. I apologize, it may be a while before my next update.

Once again, thank you all for the positive feedback! Reviews are always welcome and don't be shy to check out the Review and Discussion Board here: http://www2.adult-fanfiction.org/forum/index.php/topic/48315-dragon-drive-reviewdiscussion/ I have also fixed up the previous chapters, cleared up a few errors here and there.