Friends And Boys

“What… what did you do?” Max asks as the surrounding glow vanishes into the void from where I summoned it. His surprise at everything I do is quite amusing.

As I put the pieces of chess away, I reply, “it is the promise of our bond made physical.”

Max’s face burns hot as he hears my words. Is there something weird about what I just said? That’s what he wanted, right? To be friends since we are both boys? It must be new-world human slang, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. Besides, he might agree to fight me for real if we become closer friends with one another.

“Is there an issue, Max?” I ask, tilting my head to the side as I consider his expression.

He shakes his head at me but makes no sound of response. Thinking nothing of it, I nod and stand up to get a better look at my new home for the year. This will be such a small place to live, but I’ll manage. I will be stuck in this human form for much of my time, but it won’t be the worst way to spend a year unless this doesn’t take that long.

“Then, might you teach me the ways of your home? I haven’t been to this existence in a long time, much has changed,” I ask him, offering out a hand to help him stand up.

When he blushes again, I take notice but keep my hand outstretched all the same. I don’t understand how a man can be so easily flustered by such simple gestures of friendship, but humans are strange beings. Finally, he accepts my hand, though he does so sheepishly. As I help him stand, I wait for him to let go of my hand. He does not.

Ignoring the oddity of it all, I continue, “this mastering of electric thunder is quite the skill. Are you sure it isn’t using magic?”

“It isn’t,” Max says, his voice quiet. He still seems rather shy, suddenly, but I ignore it. If I put all of his reactions and interactions with me into too much thought, my mind might go mad. It seems that humans are complicated beings.

“Then pray tell, how do you manage it? Is it the same as the fire without flames?” I ask, glancing back towards the kitchen. So much of this world is amazing to me. I fear it would take multiple years to learn and understand every change.

Max laughs a gentle sound. I turn my attention to him and marvel at it. This is the first time he’s done something other than growl at me like some stray mutt. “It is the same sort of deal, yes,” he agrees and then his face brightens up like the sun. “You should learn what a TV is!” He then claims to me, pulling me over to the long, soft-looking chair.

“What is a… Tee Vee?” I ask, allowing myself to be guided and pushed down onto the thing. I can feel myself almost melting into it, as I realise just how comfortable the chair is.

Sitting just a little too close next to me, Max grabs a small black rectangle thing and presses a button on it. I almost leap out of the chair as the large black screen sparks to life and several people are on it talking about this and that.

I’ve never seen such things before! Magic that isn’t magic!

“Calm down,” Max teases me. He leans against my arm, a nervous look on his face. When I calm down again, he seems to do so as well. “This is a TV,” he tells me. “You can watch almost anything on it. From news around the world to fantasy stories and documentaries about different things. I prefer stuff on Welsh history and myths.”

I watch the screen of not-there people in awe before turning to face Max. “Ah. That explains why you caught me out yesterday. You’ve studied my father’s stories, haven’t you?” I ask, impressed that he would be so interested. I wonder if he understands his own bloodline?

“Yes,” Max nods in agreement. “I love all that stuff. It’s always been something of a dream job for me,” he continues and then looks up at me with a small, tentative smile. “I never imagined a real-life dragon would be sitting on a couch next to me though.”

“Well, I am human currently, given I could never fit in here, otherwise,” I pause, amusement lingering in my words. “But yes. I can understand how that might be an entertaining thought. You have a year to enjoy it.”

Max’s face burns hot again, but he quickly looks away. “I see… I did not know you could actually do that. I thought it was an illusion and nothing more.”

“I can do that too,” I reply with a low chuckle. “However, you can see through such illusions. All supernatural beings can do so.”

“I’m not a dragon,” he relays, confused.

Ah. So he probably cannot transform then? I offer him a small smile. “Perhaps not to the extent I first assumed, but you have the blood. Though there are more than just dragons. Werewolves, vampires, or Ancient Ones as the pure-bloods wish to be called… pixies, mermaids, many things exist, right under the noses of humans.”

“Why can’t I see those?” Max asks, curious about my answers.

I take a moment to think. Then I respond, “probably because your bloodline is so thinned now. You can only see my true form because I am a God and a dragon. We hold different rules to the mortals.”

“Then I am to assume I’m also…” he pauses, leaning against my arm all the more, causing me to shiver at the coolness against my skin.

“A dragon?” I finish for him and he nods. I crack a small smile. “Yes, and no. I do not think you’ve enough blood in you for any kind of transformations or powers, but you are of Hafgan’s bloodline, of this I am sure.”

“But how do you know?” He asks, still full of questions for me, it seems.

I chuckle. He is like a curious child. With a wave of my hand, I bring forth the magic of my bloodline, causing a red aura to burn all around me. This causes Max to flinch, but as soon as he realises the flames do not catch fire or burn, he relaxes and wiggles his hand within the aura.

“This is my aura… all dragons have one, and each one relates to the blood within them. Yours is cold, like ice. It is the same as Hafgan’s and that is why I assumed you were him, in mortal form. Mine is, of course, flames, because I am a fire dragon,” I explain and then, with a wave of my hand, the aura is gone again.

“Wow,” Max whispers as he watches my every movement. I can feel my pride swelling at his amazement. It always makes me feel good when mortals are left in awe because of me and my powers. “And that is why you are so warm, and I’m so cold?” He then asks.

As I nod, he hesitantly places his fingers on my cheek. As I shiver from the touch, he laughs and withdraws again. Hearing him being amused makes me feel equally pleased with the situation. Getting him to battle me should be much easier at this rate.

“Now that you understand more, will you battle me for real?” I ask, daring the question, seeing as he is in a good mood now.

I instantly regret asking as he glares at me and moves away from the spot next to me. “No,” he says adamantly. “I think I’m done asking questions now and really should sort myself out. I’ll make a bed for you to sleep on later, so just stay out here and watch the TV,” he orders, his voice going back to that icy tone.

As he storms off into one of his other rooms, I sigh and place my chin in my hand as I rest my elbow on the arm of the chair. This is going to be a long, complicated process, I realise.