Finian looked them over with curiosity. "Never seen that form before," he mused, handing over mugs of cocoa. "No champagne, but here’s to your mating ceremony!" He clinked his mug to theirs, smiling. "Congratulations."

Sy smiled shyly, clinked his mug against the others, and took a sip, all while Quin held him close.

"This is our faun form," Sy explained after a sip. "We have three forms. Most see this as the most romantic and least threatening. Many mate in full animal form." Sy ducked his head. "I think Quin chose faun so he wouldn’t scare me off. The Elders often use their animal forms to torment those under their power." Sy looked up at Quin, silently asking if it was true.

"Think no more of those corrupted Elders." Quin replied softly.

"That sounds terrible," Finian said as he sat down at the table. "When I cross over, I plan to help do something about those Elders."

"Only Unicorns and Nightmares of high standing can overturn any of the Elders." Quin admitted as he took a seat and carefully tugged Sy onto his lap.

Sy snuggled into Quin’s lap, warmth and disbelief mingling as reality slowly settled in.

"The Elders phased out the monarchy over years," Sy explained. "They convinced everyone a council was better than a king or queen. At first, power was balanced, but when the Elders saw their chance, they took it. No hesitation. That was long ago."

The Nightmare looked into his mug. "I think most people find it fine. High-ranking families, the ones once royal or related to royals, do pretty well." He elaborated. "But for the poor, or anyone with low status, the Elders do whatever they want." The teenager swirled the chocolate in his cup and peered over at his mate nervously.

Quin pulled him closer and radiated warmth, silently encouraging him to continue.

"They took me when I was a kid," Sy continued. "I was on the streets—my parents died, my uncle didn’t want me. The Elders pretended it was for my good, but it was just a way to take in street kids and control them. Everyone knows, but no one does anything." Anger flashed in his eyes; he sipped his drink to calm himself.

Fin's eyes narrowed as he took in the injustice of it all. He decided to talk to Lee'en and Alastair about it. Someone had to do something.

"You’ve been through so much, Sy," Finian said softly. "You have friends now—me, Lee’en, and Jack. We won’t let anything happen to you."

Quin nodded. "And you have me. We can study, live, travel together. As long as Finian’s okay with it, we’ll visit them and see the human world too."

"Thank you," Sy murmured, warming his hands on the mug. "I think I'd really like that." He looked up at Quin. "You swear I never have to go back?"

The blond looked the Nightmare in the eye. "Never." He vowed.

The human smiled at the sight. "Alastair will be pleased when I tell him about this. Pleased and amused, I'm sure." He commented.

"That name’s familiar," Sy murmured, snuggling closer and sipping his chocolate. "Maybe I knew an Alistair once. Is he good to you? You deserve it."

"He’s wonderful," Finian admitted, blushing. "I’ll introduce you when I cross over."

Quin felt a flicker of recognition at the name but let it go. "If you’ll excuse us," he said, sweeping Sy into his arms. "We should consummate our bond before sunset."

"O-Oh!" Finian blushed harder but rushed over to open the back door for them. "Then, I will see you both tomorrow!"

"Bye!" Sy barely set down his mug before Quin swept him outside. "There’s no rule about consummation before sunset, you know..."

"I know, I just wanted to give him a viable excuse for letting us have some time alone." Quin admitted sheepishly. He continued to carry Sy all the way back to the dorm. Once inside, he carefully set him down on his bed. "We can consummate our bond whenever you wish it."

Sy shifted back to his human form. He looked at Quin, a little twinkle in his changeable eyes as he slowly tugged off his borrowed shirt.

Quin swallowed hard at the sight. "I...I meant it didn't have to be tonight..."

Sy toed off his boots and socks before popping the button on his pants and slowly dropping the zipper. He turned his back to Quin and laced his fingers on top of his head as he shifted his hips back and forth, making his pants inch downward.

"Damn it," Quin hissed under his breath as he quickly stripped out of his clothes, tossing them about in every which direction. "Sy." He murmured in the Nightmare's ear as he nuzzled the crest he had placed on Sy's neck. He wrapped his arms around the Nightmare's body from behind.

"Mmmm, yeah?" Sy wriggled his ass backward, rubbing against Quin's growing erection.

"I don't think I can take it anymore," He whispered. "How do you want us to...which way would you prefer?" He fumbled.

"Any way that gets you inside me in the least amount of time." Sy tipped his head back to lick the side of Quin's throat.

"Gods," Quin’s breath hitched as that single lick sent a jolt through him. He pressed his lips to Sy’s, kissing him deeply and pulling him chest to chest. Quin’s hands slid down Sy’s sides, pausing to stroke his hips with his thumbs.

Sy shivered. Nothing had ever felt like this. Quin's hands were sure but gentle, strength controlled. Quin could easily overwhelm him, but held back, and that restraint made Sy’s desire flare, all that power reserved just for him.

Sy melted against the bigger man, clinging to Quin and moaning into his mouth.

Quin reached down and lifted the Nightmare's thighs, maneuvering them so that he sat on the edge of the bed with Sy straddling his lap. When they both pulled away, the blond shifted into his faun form. The hybrid form not only elongated his shaft, but it provided a secretion that he could use as lube. He swiped some of that substance off as his mouth latched onto one of the teen's nipples and gave it a gentle bite and suck. He used one hand to carefully tug one of Sy's butt cheeks apart while the other hand spread the lube along the puckered flesh. He pressed the pad of his middle finger against the entrance and began to rub it in slow, warm circles.

The Nightmare whimpered, tiny moans escaping his lips and nearly driving Quin wild. Quin craved all the sweet noises he could draw from the smaller man.

"Please, more... Fuck..." Sy squirmed against the Unicorn as he begged.

Quin didn't hesitate to carefully insert two of his fingers, using the lubricant and a touch of magic to help him stretch the Nightmare safely. As he worked more fingers in, he took one of Sy's hands and placed it on his hybrid shaft. "Which form do you want me to be?" He asked him breathlessly. "Human, faun, or equine?"

"F-faun..." The little Nightmare stammered. "I need it deeper and thicker than a human form could give me right now. How do you want me?"

"Just as we are right now." Quin replied without hesitation. He shifted them so that he could press the head of his cock against the Nightmare's entrance. "Ready?"

"Yesssss," Sy hissed, arching to press his ass back, relishing the feel of the head of Quin's cock so close to entering him.

Quin pressed forward, slowly sinking into Sy until he was fully sheathed. A low groan escaped him as Sy’s heat enveloped him. "Sy."

"Quin," Sy's voice was begging.

The Nightmare's breaths came in little pants. He loved how Quin stretched and filled him. It was just on the cusp of pain, and it was bliss. He wanted Quin to move, to pump into him, rough and deep. He needed it hard. He needed to feel that intensity, to know this was real.

Their matching crests glowed as the Unicorn gave a slow thrust or two, then picked up the pace. He gripped the Nightmare’s hips, tugging him into each thrust. Grateful for the secretions that eased his movements, Quin kept going.

Sy whimpered, begged, and swore as the muscled Unicorn pumped into him. He allowed himself to be moved where Quin chose. He loved it, giving up control and knowing nothing bad would happen to him. It made a strange euphoria bloom in his chest. It felt exciting and dangerous.

A shift in Quin's hold had stars sparking behind Sy's eyes as the Unicorn's tip started nailing his sweet spot. The Nightmare keened as his orgasm was suddenly close. His channel tightened down on Quin, making every thrust cause Sy to cry out.

Quin didn’t miss a thing, angling his thrusts to find Sy’s sweet spot. He reached down and stroked Sy, matching the rhythm of their bodies.

"Gods, Sy!" He hissed.

"Please, please, can I cum?" Sy begged as his eyes clenched tightly shut. "Please, let me..."

"Yes," Quin instructed. "Cum, Sy. Let go." He gasped as he thrusted a little faster, nearing his edge.

That was all Sy needed to fall over the edge. His orgasm flooded his body, making his legs shake and his toes curl. His cum shot from him, making a mess of both of them.

"Quin!" Sy whimpered even as his head was spinning.

Quin’s hands kept Sy steady as he gave a few final, sharp thrusts, releasing deep inside him.

"Sy!" He breathed. As the two of them settled down, the glow from the crests dimmed, as well. "Soon as I catch my breath, I'm going to grab us something to eat. Name any food you wish, and I'll bring you anything you want." He all but gushed.

Sy’s breath caught, eyes brimming. "I don’t deserve this… I don’t know how any of it’s real."

"Honestly? Neither do I." Quin replied, a pleased smile forming on his face. "If this is the reality, then it's better than any dream I could have ever come up with."

Sy bit his lip, meeting Quin’s gaze through damp lashes. "I’m scared," he whispered, cupping Quin’s cheek. "But… maybe everything’s going to be okay." He sighed and leaned into Quin’s chest. "And I really like chocolate cake and strawberries."

The blond's tail swayed happily as he hugged Sy in his arms. "I know just the pastry shop," he said, reaching over to place an order in advance. "They’ll have it ready when I get there. It’s on campus, so I’ll only need five minutes."

"I need to find a job or something," Sy mused aloud. "So I can help pay for things. I don't want to be a burden for you."

"There are many part-time jobs right here on campus. You can explore them while I talk to the heads about your enrollment tomorrow if you want." Quin explained.

"Enrollment?!" Sy sat up, startled. "I can’t do school. I told you!"

"Of course you can, I'm right here to help you. And it wouldn't be advanced, third year things, but simple and basic first year courses. You'll like it. And if you hate it after a few weeks, then no one will force you to continue." Quin countered. "But, I have a feeling that you'll do just fine."

"You don’t understand." Sy’s fingers tangled in his hair. "I’m not smart enough. I don’t know school stuff. All I can do is… well, you know. That’s it."

"Calm down, little one." Quin responded in a calming manner as he fought not to laugh at him. "You are smart, and you have great instincts. You were able to go into someone else's dreamscape like a champ. I remember it took us at least three weeks in class. You managed it in one sitting."

"You're just saying that to make me feel better." He pouted but stopped pulling his hair. "And that's not the same as real school stuff. I'll make a fool of myself... Besides, the collegiate big-wigs probably won't let me in. They'll want to know why I don't have transcripts..."

"Let me handle all of that," the blond replied. His uncle helped found the campus and earned respect as a scholar. "All I'm saying is you should give it a try. If it doesn't work out, I'll just tutor you myself." He kissed the Nightmare and swept him into his arms, carrying him toward the bathroom.

"Let's take a quick shower and then I'll pick up our order from the pastry shop." He suggested. "I have a feeling we are going to need more replenishment than we thought."