thegoodfellas/blogset-br huggingface dataset:
but drank himdown. Afterward, he could only weakly settle into the circle ofDylens arms.Suchprofound changes in so short a time,he thought. Take his daily routine forinstance.Eachnight, he was roused from light sleep when the mattress dipped asDylen slipped into bed after his evening at the Seralye. He then slidback into slumber snuggled against his lover. Each morning, heawakened to the sight of Dylens beauteous face andformat his side. He would quietly rise, draw on a robe and slip out ofthe room for a mug of milk tea. If he had morning classes, he atebreakfast alone and headed for the University, always briefly rousingDylen with a morning kiss before he left the house. When he got backafter classes, he spent what remained of the afternoon with Dylenuntil it was time for the hetharto leave for work.Onweekends, he could wait for Dylen to wake up an hour or so later.After breakfast, they spent the day togethergoing to the market toreplenish the larder, helping Hirlen tend his tiny garden in the backof the house, discreetly sampling the citys various offerings orjust curling up on the parlor couch to read a good book or mendclothing. Then it was supper and time for Dylen to ready himself forthe evening. Riodan would doze in bed until Dylen returned, and thecycle would start all over again.Riodansavored the routine for the sense of belonging it gave him. He trulyfelt like one half of a couple. Indeed, he found he did not even givemuch thought to whether Dylen had provided more than simple companyfor any of the Seralyes patrons. Perhaps he had become so used tothat aspect of Dylens profession during his lengthy residency withthe Terises that it no longer had the power to affect him deeply savefor the occasional worry for Dylens safety and well-being.Helifted his head from its cozy berth on Dylens shoulder to gaze athis lover with a lazy smile. Dylen smiled back.Itrust you have no cause for complaint, he quipped.Riodansnorted. Only an ingrate would. I do hope that I shall one day beeven half as skillful as you if only to equal the pleasure you giveme.Butyou do give me as much pleasure, Rio, Dylen protested. I takejoy in the way you offer yourself so willingly.Oh?Then perhaps I should ask that you do the same!Silencefell abruptly, and the smile slowly faded from Dylens mouth.Riodan frowned.Whatis it? he asked. What did I say wrong?Dylenbit his lip. Im sorry if I have failed to content you, hemurmured. Riodan stared at him. What do you mean?Iknow you wish to take things further and that it irks you that Icant accommodate your wish just yet.Oh,that.Riodan shrugged. Well, yes, I am surprised at your reluctance tocouple with me. One would think with all your experience you wouldhave no inhibitions about it left. I mean, its natural for me tohesitate when you teach me something new; Im no seasoned lover.But you are and more besides.Allthe experience in Aisen cant make certain acts more palatable,Dylen countered. Im so sorry, Rio, but I cant grant yourwish just yet.Riodanhuffed. What is it about buggering me that you
dislike? heblurted, his frustration overtaking his usual aversion to crudelanguage. Do I have to pay for the privilege as well?Itwas Dylens turn to stare. You want meto take you?Hisreaction was initially lost on Riodan. Wasnt that what I askedyou to do that night at the Seralye? he pointed out a littletartly. An instant later, however, he started and asked, Youthought I wanted to take you?Dontyou?Well,eventually, of course, Riodan admitted. But my first time, Iwould much prefer to be led. He regarded Dylen curiously. Is itbecause Im inexperienced that you dont wish to yield? Do youfear that Ill hurt you?Thehetharshook his head. It has naught to do with your lack of skill. Icould guide you well enough to ensure that you dont hurt meovermuch.Thenwhat stops you?Dylensighed and lay back. Riodan watched him, wondering at hisuncharacteristic lack of assurance.Mostof my patrons prefer that I take them, Dylen suddenly said. Manyare the heads of their families or business holdings and, more oftthan not, it is they who sire their heirs and hold the purse strings.Allowing another Deir to dominate them sexually is a means of lettinggo.Itrelaxes them? Riodan ventured half incredulously.Dylenfaintly smiled. Strange as that might sound, yes. However, thereare Deira who want the opposite. Who wish to control and dominate.Some possess that privilege and seldom give it up even for the spaceof a tumble. But more do not and thus seek it elsewhere. Such patronsnever yield, only take, and they make it very clear that they are incontrol.Riodanseyes widened in sudden comprehension. You associate yieldingyourself with subjugation.Dylenhesitated then nodded. I am constrained to do so if it is what apatron desires, he haltingly explained. And my pride is muchsalved by the considerable fee I can command for it. But, outside ofmy profession, I have never consented to play the mare. It isntthat I think it demeaning, mind you. Its just that I prefer notto. What I mean is I have little choice when Im at work. So Idrather not bring home that sense of-of having no say in the matter.Away from the Seralye, I am my own person, and none can demand of mewhat I have ever surrendered only for the highest of prices. Ohplague take my tongue! That sounded horrible! Forgive me if Ioffended you, Rio. Please believe me, it has naught to do with youandRiodanlifted his hand to cover Dylens mouth and halt the flow ofexplanations and apologies. He smoothed a finger over Dylens lowerlip.Imglad you told me this. I dont wish to make you do anything thatwould discomfort you. He followed the stroke of his finger withthe caress of his lips. After a slow, lingering kiss, he murmured, Iwont deny that I would dearly love to take you. But not until youdesire it yourself. Until then, Ill happily yield. Indeed, if itis all I can ever do, if it is all you can abide, Ill be content.More than anything, Dy, I just want to be one with you however weachieve it.Seeingthe tension seep out of Dylens features, he smiled and, lyingback, he pulled the latter atop him and between his upraised
virginity in his bed.Youfool! Do you realize how much that diminishes your worth? Veresalmighty, if Ramil Barath learns of this, he will withdraw his suitforthwith!Hewill? Then I should send him a detailed account of how vigorouslyDylen buggers me that I may rid myself of that knave soonest!Impertinentwhelp!Withthe pairs argument escalating into a full-blown quarrel, Dylen andhis father moved to impose calm. But before either could speak,Riodan gave his ire full vent.Everhave you given thought to your wishes alone without a care for mine!heshouted.Well, Im done with you and your damnable ambitions!Youhave not yet reached your majority, Rio! Theron angrily remindedhim. I still have a say in your life!Onlyif I remain within your reach! Riodan threatened, Force yourwishes on me, Aba,and I swear I shall conceal myself so well youll find yourselfsnug in your gravebeforeyou ever see hide or hair of me again!Riodanstormed off, entered Dylens room and shut the door with adeafening crash. Theron tried to follow him but found his wayblocked. He glared at Dylen.Getout of my way, he snapped.Dylendid not budge. He wont listen to you, Dyhar.Not while hes in that state. I advise you to wait until his ragehas waned. Ill see what I can do then.Theronseyes narrowed. If you love him, let him go, he declared, hisvoice hard. There can be no future together for the both of you.Imwell aware of that, Dylen quietly replied. Riodan, however, hasnot yet seen as much of life as you or I have. What he desires hebelieves he can attain even in the face of censure. And you of allpeople will not convince him to accept otherwise.Butyou think you can?Giventime and if I do it my way.Bybedding him into capitulation? Theron growled.Ifneed be, Dylen readily admitted. Honey trumps vinegar in theart of persuasion. Surely you know that, Ambassador.WhenTheron scowled at the tacit rebuke, Hirlen quickly added, I wouldalso suggest that you dont require him to return to Sidona. Atleast, not until he has finished his studies. Riodan has settled wellat the University and gained many friends. To force him to leave willonly set him more firmly against you.Aftera tense while, Theron gave Hirlen the barest of nods. Send wordwhen he is ready, he crisply said.Hestalked away and went down the stairs.Dylenlooked at his father. Hirlens gaze was sympathetic. Sighing withresignation. Dylen headed for his bedchamber.** * *Dylenallowed a few days to pass before broaching the subject to Riodan. Itwas time enough for his lover to becalm himself and listen to counselhe did not like the least bit. But listen he did when Dylen finallydiscussed the matter with him the one evening of the week when he didnot report for work. Hirlen had already left for the Seralye whileTarqin busied himself with mending and sorting the laundry.Riodanstood up and paced around the parlor restlessly. Dylen let him be. Atlength, the young Sidonan stood before the window and stared out atthe street below. Dylen joined him, pulling him into his embrace tolean back against him.Icant believe you agree with Aba,Riodan whispered.Dylenheld him tighter. I told you, its only because you still haveto establish yourself
his embrace. He pressed hisface into the crook of Dylens neck and curled his arm tightlyaround him. Dylen gently stroked Riodans hair.Ivenever been happier than in this time I spent with you, Riodanwhispered at length. I cant thank you enough, ariad.Dylensighed. All I ask is that you always deem me a friend if naughtmore, he murmured.Theresno need to ask for what is already yours. Riodan spoke earnestly.I swear, Dy, when I have made my way, youll be more than thatand plague take any who oppose us.Dylendid not gainsay him. Time would tell if such a future was possible.Time and the vagaries of societys demands on its members.Riodandrew a ragged breath. To be parted from you, he said, his voicecatching. How will I bear it?Itneednt be forever. Not if you wish for us to meet again, Dylenassured him. You arent returning to Sidona. And I will be atthe Seralye. When youre secure in your profession and your placein society, seek me there. Youll always be welcome.Theprospect cheered Riodan up considerably. Yes, I will seek yousoonest, he promised.Aboutto snuggle against Dylen, he gasped when he was suddenly rolled overonto his belly. Riodan looked over his shoulder, a playful protestspringing to his lips. It died when he saw Dylen reach for the oil onthe bedside table. With an anticipatory groan, he raised himself onhis elbows and knees. Dylen chuckled.Sowanton, he teased.Dylenplied his oiled fingers, eliciting a litany of soft moans. Riodanlaughed somewhat breathlessly as rapturous sensation smote him witheach twist and slide of Dylens fingers up his backside.Isthat a complaint? he panted.Dylenmoved into position and pressed into him. Nay. Consider it highpraise.Gasping,Riodan held still as he was breached with a slow, steady thrust. OnceDylen was fully seated inside him, he draped himself over Riodansback, reaching around to hold and fondle even as he began to drivedeep into him. Riodan buried his face in the pillow though he knew itwas a waste of effort to try and smother his cries. Dylen always mademincemeat of his control.Ilove you, my Rio, he heard Dylen say, his voice rough with lustand emotion. Come what may I will always love you.Tearspricked Riodans eyes. Awash in joy and gratitude, he gave himselfup to the bliss of his yielding.ChapterNineAdversityC.A.2999Dylenopened the window to let the night breezes into the bedchamber andbanish the scent of spent passion. He pensively looked at the streetbelowit was still a-bustle with traffic despite the late hour.Twelveyears had passed since he bade Riodan goodbye. He had markedlychanged in that time. Gone were the sweetness of countenance andslender form of early youth. The angles of his face were more definedand his features sharper. His body had likewise been further honed asevidenced by sleek muscles and strong, lean limbs that were no lessgraceful. Only his eyes remained the samewary, shrewd and knowing.Heglanced back as movement on the mussed up bed drew his attention. Afair-haired Deir almost a decade older rolled over, eyes squinting inthe dim light. A sleepy smile curved his mouth, and he pushed himselfup on one elbow.Deitysblood, but youve worn me out, the Deir said with a groan.Thank Veres
I had my carriage wait for me else everyone would knowfrom my gait how well Ive been plowed this eve.Dylenchuckled. Shall I be more gentle next time, Shiran-tyar?Heyas,not at all! Where would be the pleasure in that? The Deir sat up.What time is it? He glanced at the timepiece on the bedsidetable.Enoughtime for one quick tumble if you wish. Unless you ache too much foranother round? Dylen turned to face him, letting the robe fallopen completely.TheDeir riveted his gaze on what he could see of Dylens body. Helicked his lips then grinned.Hesaid a little breathlessly, Im a tad sore but not so much thatI cant take another spearing. Besides, with you it will be worththe discomfort!Shruggingoff the robe, Dylen returned to the bed.Hehad no trouble getting his shaft into the right state of firmness.Not when he imagined the Deir beneath him as the dark-eyed,bronze-haired youth who won his heart all those years ago and whoseface and voice still haunted his dreams and peppered his wakingmoments with maddening regularity. Dylen believed his performancebetween the sheets had improved considerably because of hispropensity for mentally supplanting his bedmate of the moment withRiodan Leyhars image.Whenit was Riodan he saw spread before him or seated astride his lap, hislust and yearning for his lover would flare into a bonfire of needand he would all but bugger said bedmate within an inch of his life.Itwas just approaching midnight when he arrived home. He mounted thestairs to find Hirlen curled up on the couch before the fire, readinga book.Retiredfor many years now, the former hetharwas still comely to look at despite the scattered strands of greythat bedecked his chestnut hair and the faint lines on his facethatbespoke a life well lived. And he had not lost any of his sharpnessof wit or elegance of gait or impeccable taste in clothing. Hirlenwas aging very gracefully and could still elicit appreciative glanceswhen he strolled down a city street.Dylenwent to his father and bent to plant a kiss on his forehead. Doffinghis cloak, he sat at the other end of the couch and sat back with asigh that signified his gladness to be home. Hirlen eyed himcuriously.Didyou have a difficult guest? he asked.Nay,its only that my last patrons hair was a nice shade of Hestopped and looked at his father. It was easier than usual to bedhim quite thoroughly.Hirlenfrowned. I take it he didnt come today? Dylen shook hishead.Perhapstomorrow then. I doubt it.Surelyyou havent lost hope, Hirlen said with concern.HaventI? Dylen stared into the fire. It isnt the least bitsurprising that he hasnt shown himself to me again. We move indifferent circles now.Yetwe have known our circle and his to touch and even merge at times.Please, Adda,you know what I think of false hopes.Hirlenregarded his son sympathetically. At least hes based inRikara, he murmured at length. A comforting thought, dontyou think?Dylenonly shrugged. His father knew that he had spotted Riodan around thecity now and then though always at a distance. Save for that oneevening three years ago.Riodanhad been to dinner with a group of distinguished looking Deira hisage. Dylen saw him as
of it, yes, but not this strain. Aronheaved a frustrated sigh.Therehave been a few cases where its progress was retarded for a while butnot completely halted. And it was only because the disease wasdiscovered early.Afew minutes of quiet passed while Dylen digested the information.What will happen next? he asked apprehensively. What can weexpect?Aronpursed his lips then said, This disease goes through stages. Theprotracted limp you described or extended aches in other parts of thelower body are the most common symptoms during the first stage.Numbness of the extremities ensues at the onset of the second stageas well as fainting spells. According to your servant, Hirlen beganexperiencing these symptoms at least a fortnight ago. In the thirdstage, the body sickens easily. By then, your father will bebedridden for the most part. The fourth and last stage... Aronlooked pensively over his shoulder at Hirlens bedroom door.Everything will slowly failhis heart, his breathing, hisvision, even his ability to keep food down. Hell be unconsciousmore oft than not and in considerable pain when he is awake. The endwont be far off when that happens.Dylensearlier incredulity turned into anger at himself.Seeinghis expression, Aron kindly said, Dont blame yourself for notcoming to me sooner. You didnt know enough to realize what hissymptoms portended. And, in anycase,no matter how early its discovered, there is no cure. There wasa painful silence How long? Dylen finally asked. A fewmonths at most.Dylenpaled. Holy Veres... So soon, he whispered.Aronplaced a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it. Im so sorry,Dylen, he murmured. He rose to his feet. I must go. I have asurgical case later this morn, and I must get some sleep. But Illpass by every day to check on him.Dylenmumbled his thanks as he saw the physician to the door. Returningupstairs, he took a few steps toward his fathers room. But he feltan overwhelming sense of horror and helplessness, and he stumbledinto the parlor instead.Shakingbadly, he sank into Hirlens great chair before the hearth. For thelongest while he stared at the guttering fire, shorn of all coherentthought and besieged by turbulent feelings, none of them able to lendhim hope or strength. At length, he glanced at the couch and saw abook resting on it. It was the book Hirlen had been reading while heawaited his sons arrival from work.Dylenreached for it and resettled himself in the chair. But though hestared at the cover, he could not make out the title. Not when hishands trembled so much that he could not hold the book steady enoughto read. He dropped it, heedless of its tumble to the floor.Heburied his face in his hands as great sobs wracked his body and tearsstreamed down his cheeks. He did not notice Tarqins approach untilthe old servant knelt before him and gently stroked his hair, his owneyes wet with tears.Theywept together while the night slowly gave way to dawn.ChapterTenBlowDylenwatched as Aron examined Hirlen. His father had taken a turn for theworse right after the evening meal, vomiting everything hed eatenuntil all he could do was curl up in bed and feebly retch in vain.Tarqin hastily fetched the physician
his utmost for youradda.Forcinghimself to relax, Dylen allowed Lassen to usher him back into thehouse.** * *Dylenwondered if he had ever been as exhausted as he was this day. He allbut collapsed on the couch in the parlor. Lassen was slouched at theother end fast asleep, the signs of strain around his mouth. Dylengrimaced. He knew what Lassen had gone through. Never had he felt sodrained, not only of strength but also of will.Eirenhad battled all night and the following morning to save Hirlen,drawing not only on his own considerable store of energy but also onRohyr and Dylens and even what Lassen and the captain of Rohyrsescort could lend. In addition, he had brewed a number of potions inthe kitchen with Tarqins assistance. Those had ranged in odor fromrefreshing to noxious. But he had made Hirlen drink them all,studiously ignoring the Deirs piteous whimpers when forced toimbibe the foulest tasting concoction. In between doses of thevarious medicaments, he had poured healing energy into Hirlen,topping his strength with what he took from the others. Dylen shookhis head as he recalled the sight of Eiren bent over his father, eyesand hands eerily incandescent as he directed energy into Hirlensbody.Firstthe Ardan; then his cousin. Dylen wondered if all the members ofHouse Essendri were as prodigiously gifted.Hedalways been aware of his difference from other sedyra,endowed as he was with mental skills that were no longer accessibleto the majority of Half Bloods. That was his legacy from Dyrael. Hedoubted however that he possessed anything near his Essendri kinslevel of power.Heglanced back when Rohyr and Eiren came out of his fathers bedroom.Though both looked a little tired, Dylen suspected it was more fromlack of sleep than the effects of expending their strength. He shookhis head, amazed all over again.Theywalked over to the couch. Dylen watched Rohyr cover Lassen with hiscloak then lean down and press a kiss to his lemans forehead. Itgave Dylen reason to suspect that Rohyr was as smitten with Lassen asLassen was with him. He smiled to himself, pleased that the sedyrslove was not all that one-sided after all.Eirendropped a hand on his shoulder, and he looked up at the physician.His cousin, he reminded himself. How strange to suddenly find himselfpart of an extended family and a family of such prominence at that.Hewont die, Eiren assured him. I think the disease has beenarrested if not totally destroyed.Dylenfrowned, trying to think clearly despite his weariness. Might itrecur then? he anxiously asked, forcing himself to sit upstraight.Eirensank down on his haunches before him. There is no overnight curefor this disease even in its original form. It takes months tocleanse the body of blight. This strain will take even longer givenits severity. Treatment may take as long as three or four yearsbefore he regains most of his strength.ButAddawill be cured?Isee no reason why not. However... Eiren paused and eyed him sosomberly Dylen knew there was some bad news in the offing. Hegestured to Eiren to continue. What damage has been done to yourfathers body cant be undone. I cant restore his legs forinstance; hell be confined to a