DRAGON (mxm)

15. Denying the Obvious (Deon)

   It has been a week, the happiest one in all of my lives, but also the shortest. It passed in a flush. Good things always seem to make time fly faster.

   I cannot imagine this place silent and empty anymore. Chris fits into my everyday existence as if he has been here the entire time. I am starting to wonder how I lived without him before.

   I did my best to keep him inside the house for his own good, but to no avail. His desire to help out with every household chore cannot be tamed. The chicken coop became his territory and he would not let me near it, only two days after I first took him there. He looks after the birds, feeds the fox, cleans, cooks and even manages to sneak into the greenhouse and transplant or weed tomato plants, water the cabbage and do anything else he finds useful. I have very specific requirements for the food I eat, but Chris learned to prepare it exactly as I explained in no time, and never made a mistake. Any task can be entrusted to him. He will complete it without fail and will be precise to perfection.

   The smile, quite hesitant in the beginning, does not leave his bright face now. I cannot stop staring at him, especially when the afternoon heat forces him to peel off his shirt and splash cold water over his tanned body. Chris was skinny when I found him, although, his muscles were strong and well defined. He has not gained much weight since, but still there is a visible difference. The boy was in physical and emotional shock, but quickly braced himself. He became stronger and healthier. His endless energy captivates me. I admire his ability to adapt and not to lose heart at the obstacles, no matter how big they are. 

   I can see he is attracted to me, even though he has not seen what I look like yet. The bad news is the same goes for me. It is getting harder to stay away. My wild nature urges me to act. The flames are burning again after all these years of solitude, and I have no idea how to put them out. Darkness is advancing. I am afraid I will not succeed in finding the light before it is too late. My father gave me a limited time and it is already running out. He and I both know that there is a line that must never be crossed, because then the king will not be able to stop me either.

   I rarely help Chris with his healing baths anymore. His naked body is too much of a trigger. I let him put the antibiotic drops in his eyes himself. He does not really need the mask. I doubt his sight is fully regained, but I encourage him to wear it. I try to keep every possible barrier between us after our incredible kiss, but despite all the precautions, it is so difficult to sleep at night knowing he is just a few steps away. I fight these new feelings as it is unthinkable to give in to the urge. I cannot allow it. I am not worried about myself, but rather fear the boy will not be able to overcome the inevitable end. Chris may have toughened up in the wasteland, but he is a kind, sensitive, loving soul. I dread becoming the next person he will develop affection for, only to abandon him when the time comes. This amazing, brave man deserves better. As much as I want to stay, I have obligations and must leave as soon as I find The Lux. Too much is at stake, actually everything. All that I am belongs to my Lux.

   "Hey, Dee! What are you doing?" Chris yells from across the lawn. "I called you twice and can hear your heavy breathing over there. Why aren't you responding? Are you having a heat stroke or something?"

   "Very funny," I shout back. "Get inside or it might very well happen, because of you."

   "I didn't ask you to come out with me," he cheekily retorts, pouring another bucket of cold water over his chest. "Damn, it's hot. Must be at least forty degrees centigrade. Sorry, old man! Didn't want to put you at risk, but I needed those green beans for my casserole." 

   "I'll give you a casserole alright," I grumble and close the small distribution box, mounted on one of the porch columns. Everything seems fine, so the blinking lights in the house are not a result of a malfunction in the circuits. Too bad. Many things can cause disturbances in magnetic fields and electricity, but my gut feeling tells me he is coming. It was inevitable. I sensed The Lux. He must have sensed it long before me. That is his job and he is damn serious about it. I shake my head in annoyance. Trouble is on its way. Shit! I see that Chris is making no fuss to do as I asked and is still standing shirtless on the first step to the porch, grinning at me. I scoop him up and throw him over my shoulder on my way in. "Didn't I tell you to buzz off, kid?"