A brilliant smile was set on Fin's face as he slipped into a dream that night. But once again, he found himself facing a complete stranger. The Nightmare, dressed in dominant gear and holding a crop, sent him a smirk. Fin snorted in amusement.

"Forgive me, but I already have someone in mind, and he's a Nightmare," Fin replied at once.

The Nightmare ran his gloved hands down his leather-clad chest.

"If he's not me, then you should drop him." The Nightmare smirked, snapping the crop into his palm. "I can make you feel things you've never imagined, a beautiful blend of pleasure and pain."

Fin blushed at the idea but shook his head. "Sorry, but it's only him I want to feel pleasure and pain from," he insisted.

The Nightmare sidled closer, dragging the tip of the crop down Fin's chest, teasing the line where his pants began.

"Come on, he's not here now." The Nightmare whispered with a sultry smile. "Play with me."

Fin pressed his lips into a thin line, took the crop, and gently pushed it back. "If it's not Alistair, I'm just not interested," he replied.

"Alistair?" The Nightmare pulled back. "Alistair Montcroix?

Fin was again surprised at how Nightmares backed off at the mere mention of Alistair's name. "Yes... How did you know his last name is Montcroix? Do you know him personally?" he asked, frowning slightly.

"Everyone knows Montcroix," the man replied with a humorless laugh. Bowing, the Nightmare added, "My most sincere apologies, Maiden. I won't bother you again."

Fin was still standing there, confused, when Alistair appeared in front of him.

"Sorry I'm late, love." The tall, dark-haired Nightmare stroked Fin's cheek. "My nephew's giving his tutor fits, he's almost seventeen and thinks he knows everything. They asked me to talk to him." Alistair pulled Fin into his arms. "I missed you."

Fin placed his hands on Alistair's chest. "There was an interesting Nightmare here just a second ago, a dominant with a crop. But he bowed out."

Concern flashed in Alistair's eyes as he held Fin tighter. "Did he do anything? Are you alright?"

Fin shook his head. "He seemed determined, until I mentioned your name." He grinned as he changed the subject. "Oh! No need to worry about the bickering duo anymore. Quinton and Synan ended up mating right before my eyes!"

"They mated? In front of you?" Alistair's blue eyes widened. He lowered his voice. "Did they, ah, consummate in front of you too?"

A blush crept up Fin's cheeks. "N-No, they didn't go that far," he stammered. "But the ceremony was so heartwarming! Maybe it was seeing their rocky relationship finally settle, but I was really touched."

"Someday, I want to complete that ceremony with you," Alistair said softly, touching Fin's shoulder. "I'd love to see you wear my crest, and I'd give anything to wear yours."

Fin's smile widened at the thought. "I do too. But, wait, I don't have a crest!" he said, worry creeping into his voice.

"It will come when you mate," Alistair assured, pressing his hand over Fin's heart. "And you can place it anywhere you'd like on my body."

Color returned to Fin's cheeks as he remembered how Synan placed his crest low on Quinton's hip. "I see, that makes much more sense now."

"Do you forgive me for being late?" Alistair pressed a kiss to Fin's lips.

Fin's body was thrown into chaos from the kiss alone, not so much aroused as utterly lovestruck. His heartbeat quickened, warmth blooming in his chest. It took him a moment to even remember what Alistair had said.

"O-oh, of course. Waiting for you is the least I could do."

"And now that I've arrived..." Alistair stole another kiss. "What will you do with me?"

Fin took a shaky breath and raked his fingers through Alistair's hair, lifting onto his toes to pull the Nightmare back for another kiss. His lips were hesitant at first, but determination took over. Fin's inexperienced tongue slipped into Alistair's mouth, slowly exploring and curling around the other man's.

Alistair groaned. To him, Fin's inexperience didn't matter; every touch and kiss was electric. Fin's eagerness nearly drove him wild, and he let the younger man explore, adoring every moment.

Fin fumbled as he lost his balance on tiptoe, but determination flashed in his eyes. He willed a giant bean bag chair into existence in the dream and pushed Alistair onto it, straddling him. This time, his kiss was more forceful, his tongue swirling around Alistair’s and dragging against the roof of his mouth and teeth.

The Nightmare wrapped his hands around Fin's hips, unable to remain still and passive anymore. Alistair shifted Fin until he was on top of his own growing bulge. The man rolled his hips, grinding upwards onto the human teen.

Fin mewled into Alistair's mouth, arousal building as his fingers tangled in thick, soft hair, gently tugging. Was he becoming addicted to those strands?

Alistair's hands roamed, stroking Fin's back, then slipping beneath his shirt to find bare skin. He teased gently until he found Fin's nipples, squeezing and pinching them lightly.

Fin let out a strangled squeak, tugging harder at Alistair's hair without meaning to.

"Alistair!" Fin whimpered, breathless.

"Please." The Nightmare pinched his nipples again. "May I taste you?"

Fin gulped and nodded, anticipation making his hands tremble.

Alistair worked Fin's shirt upward, reveling in each new inch of alabaster skin. The pink of Fin's nipples stood out against all the pale flesh. Alistair freed him of his shirt, then ran gentle fingers over soft skin before capturing a nipple in his warm mouth. He sucked gently, already hard and excited beneath Fin's body.

Fin's breath hitched. Every touch from Alistair sent a fresh shiver down his spine, each one more intense than the last.

"Alistair," he whispered, his hips grinding down on their own.

"What do you desire, love?" the Nightmare murmured, giving a rough suck and soft nip to Fin's nipple. "I'll do anything for you."

"Touch me... while I touch you," Fin managed, reaching into the Nightmare's pants and eagerly taking hold of him.

Alistair sucked in an excited breath. His very clothes disappeared with a well-placed thought. He had to close his eyes tight and concentrate to keep from cumming with his bare cock pressed against Fin's pants. When he thought he had control of himself, he waved a hand and Fin found himself in nothing but satiny, blue boxer-briefs. Alistair's hands and fingers greedily stroked and petted everywhere he could reach.

Fin wiggled in Alistair's lap, enjoying the satin against his skin. He kissed Alistair firmly and stroked his leaking length with both hands.

"You excite me like nothing else," Alistair breathed, dragging his fingers up Fin's thighs to cup and squeeze his ass. "Your touch feels incredible."

Fin focused on pleasing Alistair, determined to bring him as much pleasure as possible, at least until they could do more. Twenty-two months... Only twenty-two more months until everything could change. That would be plenty of time to grow comfortable with the idea of giving himself completely, or so he hoped.

"I only ever want to be touched this way, by you," Fin murmured, his voice rough with desire.

"Love," Alistair groaned.

The Nightmare slid one hand to Fin's front and the other to his backside, resting his palm over Fin's covered erection, careful not to move. His other fingers traced the cleft of Fin's ass, slow and teasing.

"Oh!" Fin moaned at the sensation, his hands faltering before stroking Alistair even faster.

"You'll make me peak," Alistair gasped. "Is that what you want, Fin? You'll make me cum so hard... Sometimes I wonder if I can survive such rapture."

"Yes, I love seeing you cum," Fin confessed, breathless. His hands sought out Alistair's weak spots, gently teasing where he knew it would drive him wild.

"Ah, love," Alistair gasped.

Suddenly, the Nightmare's strong hands gripped Fin's hips, pulling him down until their cocks lined up, a layer of satin the only thing between them. Bliss rocketed through Alistair as he came, grinding up into Fin, painting them both with his release.

Fin felt his own member give a hearty throb. He was never going to tire of the sight.

"Alistair..." He gasped.

Fin reached down, scooping up some of Alistair's cum. Unable to help himself, he sucked his fingers clean, savoring the taste.

"Gods, you have no idea how luscious you look doing that." Alistair kissed Fin, tasting himself. "I can't wait to taste you, to do everything with you... I love you, Fin."

Fin felt that rush of warmth in his chest again, utterly lovestruck and ready to melt into a puddle.

"I... I love you too, Alistair," Fin whispered, voice trembling with emotion.

Alistair's eyes widened. He pulled Fin into a tight embrace and spun them both around, his laughter full and joyful.

"You've made me the happiest man in any world," Alistair said, beaming. "I'll only be happier when you agree to be my mate."

"I will. I promise," Fin vowed. "In twenty two months."

Fin gasped as they lifted into the air, spinning slowly. What was happening?

"Y-you will?" Alistair's voice was elated. "You mean it? You'll really be my mate?"

Alistair captured Fin's lips in a kiss full of love and longing. As they floated gently back to the floor, he turned Fin in his arms so his back pressed to Alistair's chest. With a wave of his hand, a tall mirror appeared before them.

"There's magic in your promise," Alistair whispered in pure excitement. "Look." He ran his fingers across the skin over Fin's heart.

Fin felt weak in the knees from the kiss, still reeling when Alistair conjured the mirror. He gasped at the sight over his heart, an indigo-hued crest, intricate and lovely, shaped like a compass. "Th-this is my crest?" he whispered in wonder.

"Yes," Alistair purred, tracing the lines. "It's beautiful, just like you. I'll be honored to wear it when the time comes."

Fin waited for regret or apprehension to set in after making such an important decision so young, but none came. Of all things, he felt serene.

"Alistair," Fin said, taking the Nightmare's hand. "Will you show me your other forms? I'm really curious."

"I would love to," the Nightmare said happily.

Alistair stepped back from Fin and let the transformation take hold. From the hips up, he looked much the same, save for pointed ears and a curved horn, deep cobalt like a jewel, rising from where his crest had been. Below, dark blue fur, nearly black, covered his body, its sapphire sheen catching the light. His legs grew equine, bones shifting, onyx hooves touching the floor. Long tufts of blue-black hair highlighted with indigo and cobalt adorned his ankles, matching his hair. Between his legs, his cock lengthened and thickened, flaring at the end. A long tail, more like a zebra’s than a horse’s, appeared, a seamless extension of his dark fur, ending with another tuft the color of his midnight hair.

"This is my faun form," Alistair explained. “Or, as we call it, a half form.”

If anything, the Nightmare was even more gorgeous to Fin. He touched the tips of Alistair's pointed ears, then reached behind to run his hand down the long tail, raking his fingers through the tuft at the end before lifting it to his cheek. "Beautiful..." he breathed.

"That feels nice." Alistair shivered. "I'm... sensitive on my tail." The Nightmare smiled. "I'm glad you like this form. I was somewhat worried you'd find it monstrous."

"I don't think anything about you is monstrous," Fin said softly.

"Maybe you should wait to say that until you've seen my equine form," Alistair said with a chuckle.

He pressed a kiss to Fin's nose, then moved back and bent at the waist, except now, it was shining black hooves, not hands, that touched the floor. Deep blue fur, just like his faun form, covered his body. The same blue-black, indigo, and cobalt colors adorned his mane and tail, both long and wavy. Alistair’s entire body and head shifted into that of a sleek, well-muscled horse, crowned by a curved, sapphire horn rising from his equine forehead.

Fin was absolutely delighted. He rushed over, running his hands over the Nightmare’s face, neck, and body. When he finally cradled Alistair’s face, his own expression was pure joy. "Absolutely stunning!" he exclaimed.

Alistair pranced, pawing the floor and showing off, flicking his wavy tail and brushing gently against Fin.

"Would you like a ride?" Fin heard Alistair's voice in his mind.

"Yes!" Fin replied with excitement, his voice edged with excitement.

Alistair tossed his head, his horn sparkling, then knelt so Fin could climb on. He held perfectly still, waiting.

Fin carefully clambered onto Alistair’s back, wrapping his arms around the Nightmare’s neck and pressing a grateful kiss to his side. He’d never ridden a horse before, but with Alistair, he felt safe and giddy all at once.

The Nightmare stood carefully, as he didn't want to throw Fin accidentally. When he was sure Fin was secure, Alistair took a few careful steps. The magical equine reveled in every touch of the human's body against his own. In the dreamscape, there was plenty of room. Alistair tried a careful canter to see how Fin handled it.

Fin’s breath hitched as he found his balance, clinging gently to Alistair. The thrill of being so high off the ground made his heart race.

"This is amazing, Alistair!" He called out.

"Would you like me to go faster?" Alistair asked playfully.

"Sure!" Fin encouraged.

The easy canter became a smooth gallop. They raced through a huge grassy meadow, wind whipping their hair, Alistair’s mane billowing back like unspun satin. Fin clung tighter, legs around Alistair’s thighs, arms around his neck. The feeling was exhilarating, urging Alistair even faster.

Fin laughed, exhilarated as they raced faster. He knew he would never forget this. "If riding with you is this fun in my dream, I can't wait to ride with you in your world," he admitted, grinning.

"I can't wait," Alistair told him.

The Nightmare slowed to a trot, heading for the meadow’s edge. Alistair’s graceful legs carried them beneath trees, the woods growing thicker as they ventured deeper. Fin ducked under low branches. Soon, they reached a clearing with a small brook feeding a clear pond. Alistair settled beside it, dipping his head to sip, his curved horn reflected in the water.

Fin slid off and sat beside Alistair, leaning against his side and closing his eyes. "Thank you, for all of this. For trusting me with your other forms and your past."

"Anything I have, anything I am, is yours," Alistair murmured, nuzzling Fin's cheek with his soft nose. "I love you."

"And I love you," Fin replied, nuzzling him back. Only twenty two more months, and he could finally give Alistair everything of his own.