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"It does," Bash pressed. "So answer the goddamned question."
Arden growled at him. "Yes," he spat out. "It kept my people from becoming extinct. We might be dwindling, but we aren't gone. Everyone wants to challenge dragons, take their wealth and land, but all it results in is bloodshed. That's the truth."
Bash gazed up at him and nodded. He stepped back out of view of Arden and stripped out of his clothes. When he stepped into the shower, Arden's eyes widened in confusion. Bash simply picked up some soap and began to clean himself up before he addressed Arden's staring.
"I'm only going to stick around if you quit whining," Bash answered.
Arden's lip ticked up into a smile before he went back to looking intimidating. "You're the first person I've ever told this stuff to."
"That's fine," Bash said as he reached out and pinned Arden against the wall. Water ran down them in waves and the heat made Bash's head dizzy in a pleasant way. "And I'll keep listening as long as you stop blaming yourself, Arden. Fighting to save your kingdom? You did what you had to do. I admire you for having a goddamn conscience, but would you have rather seen your kingdom slaughtered instead?”
Arden’s frown deepened. “No. I would never want the ones I care about to end up dead because I couldn’t protect them.”
“Then I won’t accept your bullshit guilt,” Bash snapped. “You did what you had to do.”
Arden wrapped a hand around Bash's throat and slammed him against the wall. The bear grunted and tried to move, but Arden kept him pinned.
"Fine. But the feeling is mutual. What happened to you with your den is in the past. Commit to the people who give a fuck about you. Don't give me that look," Arden snapped. "I see the way Spooky, and Micha, and hell even Gamble looks up to you. Do not screw them over."
As Bash stared at Arden, he swallowed hard and then nodded. He was right. They did look at him as if they expected more and Bash wanted to fulfill those roles in their lives.
Did he finally have a home after all these years? Was that even possible?
* * *
Water rolledoff Bash's body as he stepped into the bedroom. Arden was already there, drying down his body with a thick towel. He stared at Arden; the toned muscle, the scarred flesh, and the two cocks that hung between his thighs.
Damn. Two?
Bash had heard rumors about dragon anatomy when he was still locked in a cage. But he'd never seen the real thing for himself. Now that he could? He was enamored with the sight.
"Stop staring at my dicks," Arden said.
"Kind of hard not to," Bash answered. "Everyone speculates that you have two, but I never thought I would see it."
“Everyone?” He groaned. “That’s disgusting.” When Bash didn’t turn away, Arden laughed. "Stop being a pervert."
Bash nodded. "You're right. I should be kicking your ass for abandoning me."
He'd meant to say it light-heartedly, but the words had come out sharp. Arden closed the space between them and Bash growled as he was lifted up and carried. The man transported him as if he weighed nothing at all. His back slid against a soft blanket as he was dumped before Arden climbed on top of him.
"You're as scarred up as I am," Arden noticed as he gazed down.
Bash felt self-conscious under his gaze. His hand reached for the blanket and he drug it over himself.Why did he have to notice?
"Don't hide it," Arden said as he tugged the blanket away. "It's refreshing to see someone who's had as hard a time as I have and keeps on breathing."
Under his scrutiny, Bash shuddered. "Just because you're feeling all warm and fuzzy doesn't mean I'm not still pissed at you for what you did."
Arden smiled. "I know that," he said. "But we can talk about that after I shove my cocks up your ass and make you cum a few times."
Heat consumed Bash at his words. Damn. Leave it to Arden to make his cock come alive. It had been ages since he'd gotten off and even longer still since he'd had someone to help him do it. And now Arden stood over him, taking him in, and making him squirm.
"Who said I would let you?" he asked as he gazed up at the man.
Arden laughed. "I can see it in your eyes. You want me to tear you apart, Bash."
Before Bash could protest Arden's lips found his and took his mouth in a punishing kiss. Heat ricocheted through him as he wrapped his arms around Arden's body and moaned. The feeling of their beards brushing against each other sent shivers down his spine. Bash lifted his hip and his cock ground against Arden's.
