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The two best of friends... or maybe more?(ShyonexNightDagger)

The snake had to hide a grin at the human's flirting skills. Ruffling the human's hair he smirked. "Be careful when you flirt with me, you never know when it might go to far yeah?" He was of course implying something involving sexual activities. It was a bit bold of him, but he'd just woken up and he was hungry. A hungry snake equaled a horny snake. Though he was doing a bang up job of keeping it in check. After the chess practice he intended on grabbing a quick to-go lunch so he could work on his painting. Yes it was done but the touch up would take until after dinner at the earliest. He had to mix his paints, wash the brushes, and clean the canvas to make sure no dust particles got into the new paint. It may not seem like much but everything took several steps that one had to do very, very slowly. "Nice rings, I don't think I've ever seen them on you before. They look expensive too; I especially like the snake one." That had been a bit egotistical of him but he couldn't help it.

The two began their walk to the chess practice room; it took a good 15 minutes because it was in the other wing of the school. In the math department of all places, but given that chess was a game of logic it made sense. However eventually they made it and true to Andol's hunch the hyena bitch had her arms around Jerald who was snuggling against her. Andol entered first and for a moment it seemed he was alone and she smirked pushing of the wall and moving to approach him, but then Nathanial appeared behind him arms across his chest and she backed down again ears flicking back for a moment. No one screwed around with a snake. Like all of his species he was all muscle even if he didn't look it and he could easily take down the entire pack of hyenas without breaking much of a sweat.

"Lovely." he murmured leaning against the wall and leveling his piercing golden gaze at each dominant anthro in the room. No one was going to screw with Andol with the snake watching every single one of them for even the slightest threatening gaze sent in the teen's direction. "So pleased his status had been declared he sat in a nearby chair and leaned back in it, watching his companion get the chess game set up. It was actually quite interesting, Andol seemed to be in his zone in this room, he had a more confident stride and he was smiling openly and joking around with his teammates. It allowed Nathanial to relax and just watch him, though he spent most of the time watching his ass. Hey he had self control, but he wasn't a saint.
 
Andol giggled a bit as the other male ruffled his hair... and a cute blush covering his face when he spoke, "Don't worry about Nathanial... I know I can always trust a big bad snake like yourself... to never hurt little ol' me." The sexual implications that where coming out, had the young man blushing up a storm. It was obvious to him the there was most certianly going to be some sexual tension that would always hang in the air of there friendship. Though why wouldn't it... The snake was a hunk, and Andol had a thing for snakes, while the human himself was innocent and adorable little thing. Yet Andol didn't really think that it would go anywhere, but he didn't mind that, sinice being friends with the larger male was good egough for him. Andol began to go over in his head everything he would need to do get chess practice set up, and get the chess team ready for the tournoment that would be coming up in about a week. He knew that I would certianly be an improtant set of macthes, becuase it deicded who went to regionals. Yet he found his thoughts intruppted by the compliments which the other male gave about his rings, "Oh you like them. Yeah I have had them for years and usally only where them for speical occasions, or when I want to look nice for someone. I think the last time I wore them was me and Draco's last date together." So it showed that Andol usally wore them to make himself look good... for someone, and not just an event.

As they walked along the halls towards the room where practice would be held, Andol found himself to be quite gald that he had Nathanial along with him. He knew that he wouldn't be messed with while at practice today, and that would allow him to get a whole lot more work done and help out his fellow team members getting ready and prefecting there skills instead of trying to handle the bullshit that he knew that Kehsia could put out. Once they came into the room Andol noticed how of the cornor of his eyes that indeed Jerald and Keshia where already here and waiting for him. She even began to make a move towards him the instant he walked in, but when he saw her backing off... a smirk appered on the young man's face becuase he knew that at that moment that Nathanial was right behind him. Though it was not the look in her eyes, but it was the look in Jerald's eyes that actually made Andol snicker... it was just so classic, becuae the other male realized that he would never be able to pull any shit on Andol again. The young man planned on making sure he could get the snake to come with him more...... maybe if the other had time he could join the chess team. Then they could actually go to comptions together. He would have to see... and it wouldn't really hurt the team sinice it was a indivual sport. Plus anyone was welcome to join. He knew that he would have to ask after practice was done.

The only threating anthro that was in the room was Keshia... the rest of them where most mice, birds... or other non predators, and the ones that where meat eaters... where bascially the whose who of sweet hearts in the school. Such as the fox that Andol worked with in lab class. Most of them where friendly and nice to Andol, but where not the type to stand up for anyone which was why they had not done so... and the only one who shook a little under the snake's gaze was a certain mouse who Andol padded on the shoulder saying, "Don't worry Micthell... he is with me." This seemed to calm the mouse down just a little. Andol was indeed in his zone, and for once the other side of him could be sence becuae he was obviously a natural leader and was well liked among the people he lead on the team. Plus he showed signs of being a great teacher, which he was helping people do... and obviously knew how to go very esay on people to help build confidince... becuae hey, if they could challege the team captian... they could take on anybody right?

Yet there was the one spoil sport and that was Jerald who still was obviously mad that Andol had brought the snake with him... and it was kind of like the 500 pound grollia in the room type of situation. Eventually though the other human walked up to Andol and said, "Could you tell me what you brought him in here for?.... Do you think you can just intimdate people into doing what you want Andol..." Andol just looked at the other male annoyed at the little outbrust, "I am not 'intimdating anyone. Besides your the only one who would possiably need intimdation to do what they are told anyway... everyone else is doing what they are supposed to, I never even need to to tell them. Now please Jearld, the tournoment is coming up and we need to get everybody ready. We can talk about this later if you want. Just me and you... no back up..." He nodded towards Nathanial... and Keshia when he said this. Of course this obviously angered the female Hyena who grabbed Andol by his shirt collar saying, "You fucking fag... you think you are going to tell my boyfriend what to do like that. Why your scrawy ass isn't even fit to be captian." She had forgotten who was in the room, ethier that or was simply trying to cause drama.... Nathanial would notice though the look in Andol's eyes was not fear, but annoyance.... it was obivous that this happened before. Yet the coach normally dragged her out, but he wasn't here right now. Which was why out of the conor of his eyes he gave Nathanial a 'hey buddy could you help me out with this?' Andol was goign to have a long talk with the coach after this one, to make sure to ban no chess team members in chess pratiace. Which was another reason to make the snake a member. Plus Andol knew it when he saw pontential... and last night... he had seen potential.
 
Well it had been going well until Jerald had to open his mouth and ruin it all. He really was beginning to wonder why Blaise had saved him in the first place; damn kid needed some sense knocked into him. Standing up in one smooth motion his tail whipped out and coiled around the female's torso squeezing hard enough to force her to let go of Andol. Gently he left her up and brought her inches in front of his face. "Did you know....A snake my size can eat a hyena whole? All I have to do is unhinge my jaw and swallow you up, and then what would you do hmmm? Nothing I expect because I'd have suffocated you first. It's my nature you know?" he squeezed until she coughed before continuing. " Now, you're going to sit in your corner and keep your mouth shut before I decide to make you breakfast." and with that he lashed his tail out straight and sent her careening into the corner of the room with a thunk. Thankfully it wasn't hard enough to really hurt her. "Now feel free to continue your practice." and he sat back down his tail once again coiled around his leg.

The entire scene had likely scared every anthro in this room half to death. After all the dangerous side of Nathanial's nature had shown itself in front of everyone. "Sorry by the way, I didn't mean to scare anyone." he added after a moment before closing his eyes and leaning back in his chair. He could still taste the fear of a few of the more docile anthros in the room but most of it had faded when he closed his eyes. It wasn't as though he was going to sleep, but it did mean he had no interest in hurting anyone or making anyone else breakfast. Surprisingly enough if he had tried to eat the hyena he wouldn't have been expelled or even brought up on murder charges. The laws were different for them, see she had been threatening his mate and it was okay to threaten her or even give her a good scare. If he had eaten her, not that he would've, hyenas tasted like garbage. The most that would've happened was his ass getting slapped with a wrongful death lawsuit. Such was the law of the jungle.

Once everyone was absorbed in their practice he did open his eyes watching each member and their specific techniques. It was actually quite interesting. If he concentrated he could actually follow the strategies quite well. He could even copy a few of them if he really wanted to. However chess was not something a track star did normally so he had to be content to watch and cheer Andol on in his head all the while. It seemed that his threat did the job because there weren't any other problems for the duration of the practice. He even played a game with Mitchell who seemed a bit more relaxed around him then he usually was. Granted it might've been because the little mouse beat him 2 out of 3 times. However eventually the practice drew to a close and the snake stood stretching and wrapping an arm around Andol's waist. "Come on lets grab a few to go meals from the lunchroom so I can get to working on my painting. You did well by the way, if only that confidence continued outside of chess you'd be quite the heart throb." he winked and slowly steered Andol to the lunch room.
 
Andol let out a sigh of relief as he wacthed Nathanial stand up and take of the problem that had started to devolp here in the room. He knew that it was a good thing that he had brought the other male along, becuase now he was sure that maybe Keshia would learn her lesson. He wacthed for a moment as the snake threated the hyena, and he had to admit that he had not really found anything the other male had done scary up until this point, but at that moment... he felt a little fear of the other male. It wasn't much becuase he knew that Nathanial was a nice guy and would actually carry out such a threat, but with the venom that was held in the larger male's voice the young man knew that the snake had really ment busniss in the words that he spoke. He then looked over and saw that Jerald was as white as a sheet mouthing out the words, 'Please let her go...' Say what you want about the way the two where but they were a good couple... and actually quite loyal to each other. Andol beleived that it was sort of the canine in Keshia that made her that way. The young man rushed over to be besides his girlfriend as she sat there on the ground coughing... and then he got up and lead her out of the practice room and Andol said, "Jerald your dimished for the day too... I am talking to coach about this just to let you know." The other male seemed to scared this time to talk back and keep looking at the snake the entire time when he walked out.

As the moment calmed down Andol could still see there was quite a lot of tesion in the room and so he said to everybody, "Alright guys let's get back to praticing. The shows over... nothing to see here." Andol again got back in his grove as he found himself taking back over with chess practice and to make sure that everyone was at there tip top form. He wanted everyone to do well in the contest. He also wanted to be able to bring home all of the top three prizes of thrid, second, and first place. Though they had some tough compition and so he knew that they would have to do as good as possiable to be able to get there. He also began to noticed that the snake had been paying quite close attention to how there where playing and was even starting to learn. He wacthed as the other male was playing against Micthell, and it seemed the snake was able to win about 2 out of the 6 games they played... though one win had been becuase Andol had leaned down and wishpered some things into the other males ear to help him out. After the game Michtell said with a fake pout, "Aww Andol... that's no far... I wanted to win a even five." Which only brought a laugh form the young as he said, "Better luck next time buddy." He was gald to see the mouse more relaxed around Nathanial... maybe them being on the team together would help out with the others nervousness around the snake.

Eventually though the practice drew to a close and everyone began to put the things away as Andol said, "Remember guys next practice will be the day after tommorw in here at the same time. Please also remember that the bus leaves on Saturday at 9:00am.... please be there on time. I really don't want to have to leave anyone behind." He really didn't becuase everyone had worked so hard on everything that he didn't want to see it all wasted for nothing. Soon though the room was clear out and him he blushed softly as he felt the larger male wrap his arm around his wasit. Though when the other did this, the thoughts that the young man was thinking was, 'Now that is more like it'. "Yeah I am getting kind of hungry, and maybe just a nice sandwhich would be good..." The others compliment flattered him quite a bit, and made the blush on his face a bit worse, "You really think so. I have never really tried, I guess just feel more confident in there knowing that I am the best. Though hearing that coming form you, I will have to make sure to try and be more like that form now on." It was hard for the shy young man, but he was going to do his best at it. As they entered the lunchroom he remember that he needed to ask the other male, "Hey Nathanial how about you join the chess team. I mean you weren't doing to bad yourself in there. Not many first timers can give Micthell a run for his money like that... you seem to be a natural, plus with you around I am sure that Jerald will keep his mouth shut and behave." Andol didn't want the other to join just to keep Jerald under contorl... he wanted the other to join becuase he wanted to play chess. So he hoped that the snake would accept his offer.
 
"Me? Join the chess team? I never really considered it before. What with track and field and my side hobby. It's an interesting thing to consider." he commented as he gathered his small to go box in his arms and balanced a drink on top of it. "Hmmm I suppose I could give it a try. I'm not all that skilled at it though. You helped me with one game and the second one was luck. If anything I'll do it so I can spend more time with you and make sure no one tries to corner you after practice or something." Silently slipping back out of the cafeteria he switched the cup to his tail and began to walk down the empty halls straight to the art room. The first thing he noticed was the campus police in front of the door. They were bored looking but straightened our when they saw Nathanial and Andol approached. "We're going to have to ask you to show proof that you have a reason to be in the art room." One said. A tall burly looking bull.

"Um....sure one second." he reached into his back pocket and pull out a ticket that said he was going to be in the up and coming art show. The bull read the numbers then looked on a small clipboard before frowning. "You're painting was the one that was vandalized. Someone shredded it and ruined the frame....I'm sorry." The snack stiffened and his drink slipped from his tail and hit the ground with a loud splash. "What? Vandalized how?" The guard explained the situation to him and by the end of it Nathanial was pissed off. "So I have a day and a half to redo it or else I can't be in the show, is that what you’re telling me?" the bull nodded. Sighing softly. "Fine let me give it a try. I'll just grab my art supplies out of my locker and go to my dorm to work on it." he nodded and stepped aside. The reptile went in a remerged with an arm full of art supplies and an easel coiled up in his tail. "I have no idea how I'm going to fix this." he muttered as he walked away with Andol in tow. "It took me a month to do that painting. A month Andol and I have to redo it in less then 48 hours. Is that even possible? I hate to ask but do you mind helping me out a bit? I might need to use you as reference for a few things.

He was heading toward his own dorm room, not Andol's. Human were allowed in the anthro wing as long as they had an anthro with them. Primarily because of group projects and that sort of thing. "I don't even know if I can do Zev. The texturing for scales takes 48 hours to set in. I was going to give that to him for a birthday present too." he sighed softly. It was evident he was a bit....put out but still determined. "Leo did it you know, I'd recognize his paw writing anywhere. He must've over heard us talking."

Reaching into his pocket he pulled out his room key and unlocked the door. He blinked when he noticed half his room was empty. "Oh that's right, he was moving into the mix wing so he could be closer to his girlfriend. I'd forgotten....well more space for me. Andol can you take those plastic sheets folded in the corner and spread them over the vacant corner of the room. I have to get to work right away if I want to have something finished by the art show. When you’re done with that can you get my brushes from the trunk at the foot of my bed? I need to find a picture....." with that he moved to his desk and began going though on drawer spreading out various pictures and looking at them all closely. "None of these are right...." he said throwing them into a corner and turning to Andol.”Hey Andol if you could be an anthro, what do you think you'd be?" he asked suddenly.
 
"Yes silly you should join... I mean I know hidden talent when I see it, and I believe that is what you have. So I mean all we really have to do is to try and tap into that talent and maybe with a little training form me then you could get pretty good at. I mean I saw you where following along pretty well... and besides there is no such thing as luck. That move you made with the queen to take his knight... that was all skill." He padded the snake on the back because he knew that the other probably didn’t' understand it yet, but he would eventually. The young man planned on teaching the snake everything that he knew. Once he had his food in hand, the young man carried his sandwich box in one hand and his drink in the other... he even noticed how the other male carried his drink along with his tail. Andol had always wondered what it would be like to have one that was that useful. It must have come in handy in plenty of places that was for sure. Of course that was when they started to get closer to the art room and Andol noticed the campus police he could feel his heart dropping into his stomach... he had a feeling that something bad had happened and when he heard what it was... his heart sank as he looked at Nathanial with a very worried look on his face.

The young man put a hand on the other male's shoulder and looked at him reassuringly. Andol was pretty sure who had done this, and in truth the young man felt a little guilty. If the snake hadn't rescued him then there would have been no way that this would have happened. Things would have been just fine... for Nathanial anyway. Andol was one of those who always thought of his friends before himself, "Don't worry... I am sure everything will be alright..." Where the words he softly spoke as the other male headed inside to get the supplies... Andol then asked the officer, "Do you have a suspect...." Yet he then quite talking, realizing that nothing could be gained from this, and he would really only risk himself by telling the cop who he thought it was that had done this. He waited patiently for Nathanial to come out and when the other male did, he again said what he had spoke before, “I am sure that you can do it Nathanial. I mean you did such a good job with that last one, I know you can come up with something.” As the other began to even ask him Andol basically cut him off with how quick his response was, “Nathanial… you are my best friend, and if I have to stay up with all night for the next 48 hours modeling for you, I will do it.” He assumed that was what the other male meant by reference.

As they walked towards the snakes dorm room Andol just felt so bad inside, because it seemed to him that this was all his fault. If the other male had just walked on but then all that work would not have gone to waste. Plus he would have a gift to give to the other male. He let out a sad sigh as he seemed to have this guilty look on his face… he really did feel responsible, “Yeah I know that it was him. I was about to tell one of the campus police my theory, but decided not to because I know how much drama it would probably cause and it really wouldn’t be worth it since there is nothing they can do about the painting now. All we can do is to try and fix it.”

As they entered the room the young man was surprised to find it so empty, but when the other explained it. It really took away the mystery. Well at least this meant they would have more room, and plus in the future it meant neither of them would have worry about roommates. With a soft smile he tried to cheer the other male up by saying, “Well at least you can look at the bright side. You now have your own private room.” He knew that it wasn’t much, but he wanted to do anything that he could to try and make the snake feel better. He quickly set to work pulling out the plastic sheet and getting everything out of the truck that he knew the snake would need. He was still quite worried about his friend, but he knew that they would be able to get through and handle this together. He felt worried though when the other seemed to be unable really find anything. It didn’t take for the young man found himself looking at the other stunned as he realized he was being asked to be the snakes muse… he blushed quite a bit and said blushing, “Well I don’t know Nathanial… I think that I would be…” Pausing for a moment he then took of his rings and handed them to the snake saying, “One of these three….” A Snake, Dragon, or Gryphon… Andol couldn’t really deiced, plus it was the other male’s painting, and he wanted Nathanial’s let his muse take that decision where he wanted it….
 
He looked down at the rings rolling them in the palm of his hands for several moments. He seemed to be thinking about something judging by the intense look in his eyes. So he stood there for a good five minutes before nodding in a distracted fashion. "Okay I think I have an idea." he commented after a moment as he handed the rings back to Andol. Gently he grabbed the teen's hand and moved him to sit on the bed. "I need you to take of your shirt please." he said softly "Don't worry it's purely for the painting, so I won't be perving on you or anything. Once your done with that I wanted to to tilt your head down at an angle facing the window. Hands folded on your lap, legs together. Can you do that for me?"

He moved away and began mixing his paints, it seemed he was favoring light colors this time, rather then the intense jungle tones that had been on his original. Threre were a few darker tones mixed in on the pallate and he set it down and pulled a smock on over his head. It was funny how diffrent he seemed to be sitting on a stool and staring at a blank canvus. In one hand he held a stick of charcole and in the other some sort of rubbing object. Nathanial waited paitently until Andol was situated before he began to draw with the charcol pencil. Every once in awhile he would fix something about Andol, his posture, his expression, the angle of his head and then he would go back to his easel and continue. The boa was working faster then he would normally, usually he would work with a model over a series of days if not weeks. Though even with his increased speed it too a good 6 hours and that was with breaks every once in awhile. When his clock struck 11 pm he was finished with the outline.

"There we go." he said after a moment. Slipping off his stool he tossed a sheet over the work in progress before Grabbing a note book and some samples of paint. Quickly he began to jot down unknown notations on the note pad and then he would add a dab of paint next to it. This took a little over an hour so by midnight he seemed content to let Andol go to sleep. "I'll walk you to your dorm." he said after a moment. "I can do this next step without you in here." his painting process was interesting, quite diffrent from the average artist. See Nathanial didn't brag but he had a photographic memory. The color notations were just so he didn't get confused on shading. But his memory only really clicked when he was painting. Otherwise he was just and above average student. "I'd hate to keep you up much later. I don't really need to sleep much you know?"
 
Andol watched the other male closely... he could see it in the snakes eyes. It was the spark of creativity, and the deep intense thoughts of an artist at work. It made him smile really because he was finally glad that he would get to see the snake in his zone... what the other male looked like when he was fully focused and fully doing well. When the other male finally handed him his rings back and then lead him over to the bed the young man followed quite eagerly. He sat down, but once he heard the snake's request he began to blush... there was a long pause before Andol said in his usually super nervous voice, "Ok sure... but just for the sake of the painting." He was blushing so bad at this point when he slowly began to take his shirt off in the most nervous manner and finally exposed himself to the snake... he almost wanted to say the words... 'Like what you see', but he knew that they had to keep it professional, "Ok sure Nathanial whatever you need... just let me know if I am doing it right." The young man got into the position that he had been told, and was glad that it was dark and there was no sun shining in the window so that things where perfectly ok. It allowed him to hold the pose that much easier... once he was in position he asked, "How is this?" Sure that he had done it right.

He stayed in the position as he watched closely at the other male mixing the paints together and coming up with dark colors as well as really light colors. He could not help but giggle at the sight of the snake wearing a smock and said to him, "You sir look like a regular Van Go dressed up like that." He made sure though not to move once he could tell that the other had gotten down to work. Andol was a very good model, because even though it was a painting that was taking quite a long time and over one long sitting... the young man seemed to tough it out. Though that was all because of his determination to make it up to the one who had saved him. The other male had protected him when no one else had, and had lost his painting because of it. So now Andol was going to do whatever he could to help the other male get back the lost art that he had once had. Then it seemed after a really long time of Andol posing and the snake working... and the few breaks that they took, in none of which the young man peeked at the painting because he wanted to only see the finished product. It was soon done... or at least what Andol assumed the outline of the painting was done. So when the other stood up and let him get out of position, the young man stretched and said, "Wow... I never knew modeling could be such hard work. I hope that it going well. So do you think that we can get it done in time?"

He watched for a moment as the other seemed to make notes about his paints... though he suddenly found himself to be quite surprised when the other wanted to take him back Andol smiled softly at the snake and reached out and rested a hand on the other male's shoulder, "Nathanial... I kind of feel this is my fault... if you wouldn't have saved me this would have never happen. No my friend I promised that I would stick with you until the very end of all this. So that is what I am going to do. I am just going to run back to my room and get a sleeping bag and I will be right back so that I can sleep in here and help you out with anything else that you might need me for. I am kind of a night owl myself and I can go all the way until that art show without sleep if I have to. I am not letting you go this alone... ok buddy." He smiled at the other as he waited for an answer and then slipped out and ran down the halls, making sure to take the more back routes so that he wouldn't be seen by Leo if the other male was on the prowl. Which he wasn't and Andol was able to easily get back to his room and go inside and get a pillow and his sleep back as well as a change of clothes for when he needed it, since he was sure that this was going to end with a rush for both of them to the art show. When he returned to the snakes room he said, "I have my stuff here with me. I will just sleep over there in the empty corner so I can't see the painting and have it spoiled for me. I am not ready to go to bed yet... so is there is anything else you need my friend." He smiled at the other male eagerly as he waited to hear what the snake had to say.
 
"A lot of people don't realize how hard modelling is." he said after a moment. "It's why I usually work off pictures or memory. I hate to make someone sit perfectly still in one postion for hours while I do the outline for my paintings." he was at his desk again mixing a few more shades of blue in a small cup. "I can probably get it done by the art show, it won't be as detailed as my first one, which'll probably get me kicked out of the running for first place. However I'l survive." he smiled a bit sadly. "Once I get this one done I can try and redo Zev's panting. I'm not going to see him until summer break so I have more then enough time to finish it up." he had just set down his paint and grabbed his dorm key when Andol spoke about staying with him until he was done with his painting. It warmed his heart and her merely nodded as his human friend dashed out of the dorm room to get a few things.

If he had been to peek at the panting he likily wouldn't have been able to figure out what it was. The lines were very light and they seemed to fade entirely at points. It was evendent one outline was of a person but the other was so vauge it was impossible to tell what it really was. As a matter of fact not even Nathanial was sure what to turn it into just yet. It would all come together once he started painting though, that was how it always worked out. He just hoped his muse was up to working at an accelerated pace. Luckily it seemed he was because the moment Andol rentered the sheet was off the painting and he was already beginning to go over the sketch lines with black paint adding depth and dimnsion to the various shadows. If he were to peak now he would notice the human bore a striking reseblence to him. However there were several differances that unless one was observent they wouldn't make the connection between Andol and the male in the painting.

"I'm sorry to say Andol, this part is all me. You can't really help much at this stage. Usually I would have a model use props to help me with the diminsions, but I can do that from memory. There are not many props you can use that wouldn't give what I'm doing away. So I guess you can just relax and watch some TV or maybe call the kitchen and coax the cook to bring us some food. You've got to be starving, we haven't eaten sense lunch." After those breif instructions he went quiet and the only sound aside from the TV that could be heard was the soft brushing sound as he went over the canvus with his base tones. Then it would have to dry for a few hours before he could work on the next layer. Overall he usually went with 4 basic layers of painter. However he was cutting off the final layer to save on time. This would cause the painting to have less diminsion then his original one, but it would still be quite nice.
 
"Yeah I see exactlly what mean, I think I may have a few kinks in my body, though it really wasn't that bad over all. If you ever need someone to do that again for you, then I will happily help you out." He had found the experaince in a way to be quite fun, and somthing that he felt that he would probably want to do again. It was somthing that he knew that he could do, and would love to do again. His main reason for doing it though is that he wanted to spend more time with the snake... maybe posing with more than just his shirt off... This thought really made him blush. Andol nodded at the words that the other male said, but unlike the snake he was bit more of a look on the bright side when it came to this situation, "Hey you don't know that... they may take it esay on you when they know what happen. Besides I am sure that it is going to be a great picture, becuase no matter how it comes out I can already tell that it will be a ten." He smiled softly at the other male hoping to cheer him up, and that was when he heard about the other snake and said, "Really... is he going to come here, becuase I would love to meet him if that is possiable." Andol wasn't sure if it was, but he wanted to at least get to know a person that Nathanial would date... he knew a little about the other, and didn't like some of the things he had heard, but he couldn't be that bad right...

Andol did take at least one peek at the painting and indeed he could not tell what it was at that point, but it was also at that moment that he relized that he didnt' want to spoil the whole thing for himself. That would be no fun when the painting was done. He didn't want to see a half finished paitning and figure out what it was... he wanted to be able to study the whole thing in all of it's glory once it was finished and completely done. When the young man came back and he again found the other to be hard at work he just smiled and set his stuff up. He was gald that maybe things would work out for the better, and that Leo's plan had been foiled. Though he worried that the snake wouldn't get the recognition that he deserved by winning... it was then that Andol said to the other male, "I need to use the bathroom." On the chance that the snake didn't win then he was going to turn the little meeting of the chess team that he knew would take place later in the day after the artshow... he would turn it into a reward ceromony for the snake. Plus he called in to have a medal and a trophy deleviered to the school by then. So he could give it to his friend for having the best painting. The other male deserved it.

When he came back in he was able to cacth what the snake said and he nodded his head with a smile, "Alright buddy, I was just checking, and I really wouldn't want you to give away what you are doing. I am going to wacth a little TV and keep the volume down... maybe hit the hay sooner so that I don't distrub you. Though please wake me up if you need anything, but first let me do what you said and call up the kicthen... I am sure they will give us some pity after what happened." He giggled a bit as he dialed up the number and about 15 mintues later there was knock at there door. It was the really sweet old spider anthro who worked up there... she had pently of arms to carry paltes in and she came in and laid them down saying, "I heard what happened and so I whip you both up a bit of your favorites for dinner. There is some rat and pizza for you Nathanial... and Andol for you I have the hot wings, and bit of rat on the side for yourself... never seen a human take it to so well... so here it is." She smiled at them both and then left, and the human went to wacthing TV and then after a bit of that, and he finished eating his meal including the rat that he had been given he said softly to the snake, "Well good night Nathanial... wake me up when the painting is done ok..." The human then went to sleep, his mind swirling and wondering what it could possiably be on that canvus.
 
After the spider anthro left he went back to his painting. Every once in awhile he'd take a bit of his food before going back to his work. Slowly the picture began to come into exsistance. It was a man with long hair the same color as Andol's. Except this man he seemed older, sadder, and at the same time stronger and more confident then the current teen. He seemed to be looking away over an unknown landscape. Around his neck there was a chain and from it dangled a single dragonscale. Something that was highly saught after for jewelry. One hand clutched it while the other rested on his thigh. However that wasn't what was surprising. From the back of this human sproted two full sized dragon wings the exact same color and pattern as Draco's. This human's ears were pointed as well. It was a common sign of an anthro/human hybrid. At certain points the skin seemed to shimer and change into the multicolored scales and his fingers ended in sharp claws. It was something that could only be described as beautiful, this human man was beautiful and one of the rarest hybrids on the planet.

Nathanial worked well into the night and into the early morning, just painting. Gradually the painting expanded and wrapped around the shoulders of the hybrid a small multicolored snake appeared to be resting. In the hair several griffen feathers were braided in, it was definatly a work of fantasy and he would likily have to change the catergory he was in by the time he turned it in. Despite the fact he was working on a time constraint he managed to make it look almost as good as the first one. He even managed to locate a dark ebony frame that was resting against his empty bed. The art teacher had delivered it sometime during the night. By the time the sun was rising he had turned on drying lamps on a low setting to help it along. High set heating lamps would fade the paint. It was only at that point he finally laid down, he was asleep before his head hit the pillow and even then the painting wasn't quite done.

When Andol awoke he'd likily be able to see the almost finished painting. There were a few places that needed to be touched up and some portions that needed to be painted all together. The snake had known he wouldn't be able to keep it up, if he started painting while half asleep he'd likily mess it up. Nuzzling his head into his pillow his tail tightened around the leg of the bed. He was dreaming about his painting, except the painting was Andol and they were doing very naughty things. Thankfully he slept on his stomach so Andol wouldn't get an eyeful of what the snake was packing.
 
Andol was himself travling through an amazing dreamscape... one that has he slept there left him with a feeling of contenment, but also at the same time one of complete and utter wonder on what possiably could happen should such a thing occur in real life. It was somthing that he was slowly coming to relaize that he wanted, but was just to scared and nervous to ever ask for. Besides why would Nathanial ever want to date him... the other male could have anyone he wanted practiclly, and so dating him seemed like quite a step down form the snakes level. In the dream he was in a meadow and for awhile he was just sitting in the middle of it alone, and he felt so sad... in fact he was even crying. There where things at the edge of the meadow that where hidden in darkness, and would come and attack him, and then leave... just again leaving him there messed up and crying. Then suddenly a light shone form the darkness, and dispresed all of the shadows... leaving everything night and lit up. Then out of that light stepped Nathanial, and the snake walked over to him and pulled him close into his arms, speaking in a soft voice the larger male spoke to him saying, "I love you Andol... and I want you to be my mate." There lips connected and everything else seemed to fade.

Andol found the rest of the dream to be hazy as they both made love with each other for days it seemed and at the end of it all, when they where both laying then... the snake still holding him close, and having not pulled out of his body said to him, "Andol... you are mine..." The words where a tradtional anthro way of claiming a mate after love making and was somthing that Andol had always hoped to hear said to him in his life time. Yet he suddenly found himself being pulled form this amazing dream as his alarm clock went off right next to his head, and he woke up and looked around a bit confused... trying to get his barings, as he realized that he was still in Nathanial's room. He also realized somthing else as he looked down bettewen his legs and noticed that he was sporting a erection that was quite noticeable in these pants. He knew that the scent of lust was heavy in the room after that dream. Andol knew that he had had to calm himself down and try and get rid of the smell that was on his own body... sinice what was in the room he really couldn't do anything about, sinice he didnt' have that special air freshener he normally used in his own room whenever he had certian members of the chess team like Micthell over.

He didn't really even notice the painting at first, but Andol looked over at his clock and knew that they had about 12 hours before the show started. He was going to let the snake sleep a bit more, and then wake the other up in about 5 hours and get him to make the finishing touches. At least that was all the young man hoped was left on it. He quickly ran to the shower and turned it on cold. He knew that he would need a cold shower to make sure that he could calm down his arousal. Just like he had hoped... it worked, and very soon after he had soaped up and cleaned up the human stepped out of the shower and put his clothes back on after blowdrying his hair and brushing his teeth. Andol came out of the bath room and it was then for the first time that he noticed the painting and his eyes grew wide with amazment, "Oh my god Nathanial..." Where the words that he wishpered softly. It was just amazing, and seemed to him to be a obvious portait of himself, though he was surronded by the things that he love most... no he was the thing that he had loved most. He could tell that he was a obvious hybrid bettewen himself and Draco... though wearing the other types of anthros he loved... he was still a hybrid bettewen him and his first love.

For the first tme sinice draco's death tears began to flow form the young man's eyes as he saw this. Both him and his former boyfrined had become one just like they had ment to be. He quickly retreated into the bathroom and buried his face in a towel and let himself cry out what he was feeling in his heart, so that he wouldn't wake the snake. The painting was just amazing. He was so gald that the other male had been able to finish it. It took Andol quite awhile to collect him himself, and when he was done it was obvious that he had been crying becuase of his puffy face and reddened cheeks. Yet he didn't want to talk about it really... he had been doing his best to get over it and telling the other male that the painting brought back memories would ruin things... though there was a sliver lining, sinice all those memories where happy ones.... Eventually though the 5 hours had past and the young man knew that it would probably be best to wake the other male so that he could get back to work on the painting... so he headed around and stood there next to the snake and began to poke him saying, "Nathanial sweety, time for you to wake up. You need to finish up the painting." He smiled happily so that the other male would see nothing but Andol's warm and happy face.
 
Nathanial twitched when Andol poked him his tail uncoiling around the leg of the bed. Blearily he blinked and rubbed his eyes before yawning widely flashing those rather sharp teeth of his before closing his mouth. "Mmmm what time is it?" he said looking over at his bedside clock and slowly sitting up. It was quite pleasent to wake up to the human's smiling face, he could smell lingering salt on the the teen's cheek. He'd been crying about something and it didn't take long for him to figure it out. He'd forgotten to cover the painting before he passed out so Andol had seen the hybrid. They had to have been happy tears or so he hoped, this painting was quite personal for both of them. "You shouldn't try to hide your tears from a snake dear." he responded softly. "I can taste the salt on your skin still. I'm glad you like the painting." and he said nothing more on the subject knowing Andol probably didn't want to talk about it anymore.

Streatching once again his tail straightened going from the head of his bed clear to the food of it when completly straight. So pretty much his tail was as long as his body give or take a few inches. Quickly he made his way back to the painting and began to work on the final touches here and there. Despite the painting being mostly done it still took until 30 minutes before the show to finish the entire thing up. At that point the art teacher came and picked it up and Nathanial dashed off into the shower to clean up before the show. Since he was a reptile he tended to take rather hot showers and they were usually long, however this one was only ten minutes and then he emereged dressed in a white button up shirt and a pair of black dress pants. "I have to look nice for the art show." he explained after a moment. "Since it's a formal affair." and then he was in his closet digging for his only pair of dress shoes. All in all he cleaned up quite well going from tough guy to tall dark and charming with just a change of clothing.

"Do you want me to walk you over to your dorm for anything before we go?" he seemed despite the fact he was probably going to be late it didn't seem to matter to him at all. After all the artists only really had to be there for the last hour which was when the awards were handed out. Usually they stayed for the enitire show to talk to prospective talent scouts but Nathanial really had no desire to make his painting career his only career. He actually wanted to be a engenieer, which was something of a pet project with him. Though truely he did love his art to death it just wasn't a stable job.
 
Andol wacthed intently as he had 'awoken the beast' form his slumber... though even the idea of thinking of the gentle snake in that manner made the young man giggle in his typically girlish manner, "Well it is about 11:00... I kind of wanted to let you sleep in sinice you have been working so hard Nathanial. The show is not till 6:00 so I wanted to make sure that you would have plenty of time to get the last touch ups that you wanted done. Of course it came as no supirse to the young man when the other quickly realized about his emotional reaction to the painting. He had not really done as good of a job of hiding it has he had had assumed that he had. He looked at the other male and for a moment he almost decided to just go along with the fact that Nathanial just seemed to be letting him not talk about it if he chose, but Andol felt like he wanted to talk about it, "It is beatiful Nathanial... Draco would have loved it, and I do to." It was obvious by the way that he spoke that he mostly saw it as a symbol of his him and Draco's love that had been cut short. To Andol it showed a beatiful picture of what could have been. That was why he loved it so much, and for a moment he just could not help himself as he walked forward and warpped his arms around the larger male in a hug and spoke softly, "Thank you Nathanial... for everything." Before he slowly backed off with a really bad blush on his face.

"Sorry about that... I just couldn't help myself..." There was more to what Andol wanted to say, but he just felt like he couldn't say it at the moment. Besides he wanted the snake to focus on the art show right now anyway, and they could worry about other things later. So the young man sat back and relaxed as poured himself a cup of water and drank it while he quitly wacthed other male at work. If there was one thing that could be said about Andol... it was that he was quite esaily entertained. Though when the painting was done and it had been picked up by the art teacher Andol said with a soft smile at his reptilian friend, "Good job man... I told you that we could do if we tried our best. Plus with as good as your painting looks I am sure that you will win." Andol had a postive nature like that too him, he really didn't think the snake would lose, but he also was smart egough to know that his option was quite baised towards his best friend.

Andol sat back down and waited when the other male headed off to the showers... Though while the snake was gone Andol kept having to resist the urge to take sneak peek, and see exactlly what it was, that those clothes always hid form him. Yet he knew that it could ruin there friendship if such a thing happen, but the more he thought about it the more the erection that was now forming in his pants grew. He was expecting the shower that the other male would be taking to be a long one, like Draco usally did, but suddenly the other male burst form the shower and Andol seemed to have for some reason been caught by supirse... though one taste of the room would tell the snake why his companion was blushing so much. Wow Nathanial looked so much cuter than usal when he was dressed up all nice and sharp like that, was the only thought that the young man could think of, "You look nice Nathanial... very handsome in those clothes..." Wait a mintue... he paused... what in the hell was he saying. He realized that he needed a cold shower to clear his mind.

When he heard the offer to go back to his room he said in a manner that seemed nervous and had the young man stumbling over his own words as he spoke up, "Yes please... I kind of need to take a shower. Then I can put on somthing nice too... I promise I won't take long." The Andol walked along beside the snake as they headed to his room, and when he got there he said, "Just wait on the bed please... I will be out in second." The embressed young man rushed into his bathroom and climbed into the shower and turned on the cold water, and let it run over his body. Washing away the smell of his arosual and the feelings of lust in his body. He couldn't belevie that this was happening, he could not longer deny the feelings that he had for the snake... yet he was sure that the other male wouldn't want him back. So he had to keep them covered up, and he also didn't want to spoil the art show, and the supirse that he had for the snake should the other male lose. He was able to use the cold water to focus himself again, as it cleared his mind, and allowed him to bath and contiune on in peace he stepped out of the shower.

When Andol came out of the bathroom his look was not as formal. His jeans where a new pair like the black ones he had been wearing, though his new shirt was soild black and had a colored image of snake on the fornt and back, that looked alot like Nathanial standing in a jungle with a human male that looked a bit like Andol clucthed close to his side, in a protective manner. The young man wore it on purpose to support his friend. The young man's hair was again slicked down, and this time besides his rings he was wearing a necklace around his neck... yet it was differnt form the one that he usal wore and he said, "You should know this one Nathanial, it is snake for 'friend'...." Andol also had the one for love, but he didn't think that would be apporaite to wear at this time. Walking over to the door he opened it and said, "So shall we go?" Andol looked at his clock and realized that they would only be 20 mintues late if they hurried.
 
"It's sort of flat compared to the one I did of Zev. I wish I would've had more time to add depth it would look phenominal." Ahh artists they were always the harshest critics when it came to thier work. He frowned softly and touched the painting. He was still rather upset he was going to have to redo Zev's painting. The stupid think had taken four months to complete and it was going to take another four months to make another one. Nathanial had decided to ignore the smell of lust in the room, though it was harder then usual. Perhaps it was because he hadn't eaten yet? Or was he developing feelings for the shy human and so quickly too? Draco would murder him if he found out how quickly the usually stoic snake was softening up all for Andol. Or perhaps he would merely smile and laugh because the same thing had happened to him?

The serpant sat down on the edge of Andol's bed his rather long tail coiled on the floor beside him. Everything smelled of the Human in here it was....quite nice. The teen had a warm live scent and his heat signiture was everywhere. It made his tounge dart out to gather the smell and store it in the back of his mind. It was just in his nature potential mates, lovers, food. He needed to memorize the smell and taste in order to feel more at peace with himself. Damn preditor instict it caused nothing but problems and annoyences. It felt like he was planning to eat the poor human which of course he wasn't....at least not in a non-sexual manner. "Enough naughty thoughts Nate." he scolded himself and placed a hand on his empty stomach. He needed a more substantial meal to keep him full longer, perhaps he would see the school chef about eating a good meal.

He offered a quick smile to his human companion it was obvious he was a bit nervous. Standing up he opened the door and the two of them headed to the art studio. It was packed when they arrived and the teacher smiled brightly. "You've already gotten three bids on your painting. It's a very emotional piece very sad yet happy and the same time. Even without your usual layering technique, a few collages have expressed interest too. I told them you don't want to go to an art collage though so don't worry. I know you don't want to make painting a career." The large lion patted his shoulder before walking off to go speak with a few of the other students. "We have outside bidders that come in for the big art shows." he explained. "If the art sells the students get 65 percent of the money and the rest goes to the school."

After that he began walking around surprised by the number of people that stopped and looked at his painting. He was actually quite pleased, it seemed the message was not lost on all of them but no one got the personal meaning better then Andol. "It's merely saying that humans and anthros should get along and be one rather then contantly fight. And see the artiest uses reptiles because they're often the most feared. It's very clever and the diminsion is lovely." Nathanial blinked and chuckled softly. "Everyone always thinks they know what art means and none of them do except for the artist that painted it." he murmered to Andol as they passed by. "The auction and award ceremony is going to start in about 30 minutes do you want to look around some more?"
 
Andol smiled softly and just patted the larger male on the back with that smile of his. Usally when Andol was around his friend, the young man always seemed to be in unbeat type of mood, and it took quite a bit to get him down... or at least it took alot to get him to see the glass as half empty anyway. So the young man spoke softly to his friend, "What are you talking about Nathanial that painting looked amazing, I mean even without any depth it is still a great painting... I think it was even better than the other one." Though one could say that Andol was a little biased becuase him, and Draco had been the subjects of the picture... well the main subjects anyway. The young man had clearly noticed that Nathinal put a little bit of himself into that painting with the snake that had been in it, "I am sure that they will love it... heck I will beat you five dollars that when we get there people will be swooning over your painting." He even pulled out five dollers form his wallet to show to the snake saying, "See... this is yours if I am worng..." Though the young man's reason for not wanting to be wrong had nothing to do with money.

The young man let out a sigh of relief when the snake didn't seem to notice the sexual arousal that he had given off this time. It made him so embressed whenever the other did notice... He was sure though at this moment that Draco was looking down on him and laughing about it in a teasing manner, as he always did when the young man so esaily blushed. Yet he also knew if the dragon could he would probably be wishpering in his ear, 'He's a cutie... you should seriously go for him... I bet he's a wild one in bed too.' The dragon somtimes would through things in like that to get a rise out of the human. Of course that was when he overheard the other male speaking to him and the young man couldn't help, but blush. The other had indeed picked up on, and now Andol realized that the other male seemed to at least think of him in that kind of manner. In a way the young man was suprised that someone as handsome as the snake found him to be attractive at all, but then again... the same could have been said about Draco.

"Oh dear Nathanial we need to go..." He quickly realized and very soon they where walking out the door and in the direction of the art stuido. Andol could tell as they got closer to studio that there was certianly a crowd for the place and as they got closer and the art teacher began to talk to Nathanial, the young man's eyes just grew with supirse on how things where going for his friend. He just couldn't believe it really, it was just such an amazing thing... that all this attention was being givin on a painting that Nathanial had compelted and put together in just two nights. As the art teacher walked away Andol said with a large smile on his face, "See what did I tell you Nathanial everything turned out great and it looks like your painting is a hit." Though the thing about the money was somthing that he had not known about it, "So what are you going to do with the money that your painting sells for." He hoped that Nathanial got a good amount... it would certianly vendicate his friend becuase of all that work he had done to make this painting the best that it could be.

As they walked through and the young man listined to the large crowd of people that the snake's painting seemed to attract, he just smiled inwardly about how they where indeed off on it's ture meaning. He could indeed though see how those thoughts could be gleened form what was on the canvas, but the young man knew the truth on the words that where being spoken, and on what the painting fully ment to both him and Nathanial. He giggled softly, "Yeah I can see what you mean, but if one thinks about it, that is the beatuy of a good paint. That anyone can walk away form it with there own meaning and there own ideas of what it supposed to be about. I mean if you couldn't then it really wouldn't mean anything now would it, and only the artist would be able to get the full benifit form the painting." Andol hoped that the snake understood what he ment when talked about this. When asked though wethier or not he wanted to look around more he just shook his head, "Not really... I mean unless there was some other painting you wanted me to see. I am more curious about finding out about how you did." He couldn't wait until they found out, becuase he hoped he would not have bring his plan to cheer up the snake into action if the other male failed, but it was there if they needed it.
 
"I suppose and I guess as far as concieved notions go the fact that anthros and humans should get along as one people. Well it's a nice belief." he responded as he walked away from the painting and down the line of the others with great interest. Some of the paintings were gorgeous and other a bit too abstract for his taste. Still every single one of them had lookers and a few even had a small crowd around it. Nathainal chatted with Andol for the remainder of the showing before his teacher called him backstage. The awards were going to be given out first then the bidding would begin. It was the way it always worked. He and two others were brought on stage, though none of them knew what place they'd gotten.

There was applause of course and the three winning paintings were brought on stage. They all seemed pretty close to the same in detail and color. However he knew it was the visiting art critics that decided who placed where. So while they looked the same, little differences that detirmened who got what award. He already had a feeling he wasn't going to win, which was a bit upsetting because he was almost certain the other one would've won first place. "Okay Ladies and gentlemen the thrid place trophy goes to Nathanial for his hybrid fantasy painting." the snake winced inwardly and accepted the small trophy. "Thank you everyone." he said before backing up. The other two trophies were awarded in very much the same way with the first place winner giving a small speech. Then they all walked backstage to await for the bidding results.

Due to the fact artists were allowed to bid on thier own paintings they couldn't go on until theirs had already been presented and bid upon. Unfortunatly Nathanial's was one of the last ones so he was stuck backstage for most of the bidding, not that he'd intended on buying any, anyways. He saw his painting go on and next thing he knew the price went up, up, up until it finally stopped at 7,000. His had gone for the most in the entire show! Well that managed to lighten his spirits quite a bit especially when his cut of the money was presented. The critics may have no liked his painting but it seemed the people did.

After the show he met back up with Andol and gave his friend a brief hug. "So did you like the show?" he questioned as they exited the room with everyone else. "I knew I wasn't going to win. My painting was lacking on details and the paint work was a bit sloppy. But hey I did get the most money." he laughed softly and gestured to his wallet. "With this I can finally get a new TV for my dorm room, or maybe a bed that can accomodate my tail..." The tip of said limb was wrapped around his ankle to avoid getting stepped on. "I'm starving to death, I need to get an actual meal from the lunch lady..." he sighed softly.
 
"Exactly what I mean... that is really all that art is always about. Just whatever people conceive in the painting that they are looking at in front of them. Whatever that may be, I mean there could probably be 100 people looking at your picture Nathanial, and you could get 100 different interpretations on what it could mean." He then wondered if he should even let the other know something that he believed when it came to that aspect of painting... and after a bit of thinking the young man figured that it really couldn't hurt, "So you have make sure to just keep it's real meaning between us ok. That makes it way more mysterious and interesting, you know." The young man just looked at the larger male and grinned as he said this. He walked along beside his friend as they looked at the other paintings and looked at each of them and wondered curiously about who would be the one to win this contest, because he really hoped that it would be Nathanial, but once he heard the other male being called behind stage, the human headed to his seat.

Once he had gotten to his seat the young man looked to make sure whether or not the show had started, and when he noticed that he had time he said into his phone, "Mitchell is everything ready down there in the chess room..." He heard the voice of the mouse speaking to him, "Yep the trophy has arrived and so have all of the cake, and the rest of the party supplies. We are just waiting to know form you what we are celebrating. Oh and I even bribed one of the chefs in the restaurant make up a gourmet meal for the big guy when he gets here. I hope that he likes it... everyone is here expect you know who. We made sure not to tell them, so that they wouldn't ruin everything." The young man smile and said, "Thanks Mitchell, I promise I will let you know the instant that I do... bye." With those words the young man hung up the phone because he realized that the show was starting at that moment. He felt so happy at that moment because he knew no matter what happened when it came to the awards, that his best friend would get an award ceremony that was better than that of any of the rest of the people here.

Andol listened closely as it started and they brought up the three paintings... it was right off that he found himself sunk into that same pit of disappointment when he heard Nathanial being called up for third place. That other painting could have easily won, the human was quite sure of that. He didn't really care about the other two winners, and quickly redialed the number and said softly, "Mitchell... Nathanial lost. Get everything ready." You could hear the mouse's soft little whine over the phone, "Awww, ok I will let everyone know. We will have it ready and came make him feel so much better once he gets here." Andol nodded his head and then said goodbye as he watched the bidding began and soon it reached Nathanial's painting. He listened closes as the larger male's painting was being bided on and his eyes grew wide as the number went up and up and up.... soon reaching 7,000 before it was sold. He could help, but cheer loudly for the snake, though he kept his cheering in his mind so that he wouldn't get in trouble. It was after this that he watched the show with a sense of glee, and was very quick to run up and hug the larger male after they met back up...

"I loved it Nathanial, and I thought you did great..." Though he had to add, "Sorry you didn't win, but I still think you did the best especially considering the time that you had to make it." When the other mentioned the money the young giggled softly and agreed, "Yeah you probably should get the bed first though. No good seeing you sleeping with tail hanging off the end of the bed, because I could tell you did not look like a happy snake..." He then realized that he also had the perfect excuse to lead the other male to the chess team room, since it was right near the lunch room, "Oh ok, but on our way I need to pick up something form the room where the chess team meets, because apparently Mitchell forgot something of his in there that he needs.." Yes it was indeed the perfect excuse to get the other male there. So the pair of them head off in that direction and it was not long before they were able to make it to the room, and the young man made sure that the snake would be in the right spot so as to enter before himself...

Once he did the large reptile would find himself surrounded by the entire chess team who greeted him not only with the words, "SURPRISE!!", yet also they gave him a big group hug, and surprisingly the guy who was at the very front and first to hug the snake was Mitchell, the little mouse who with Andol's head had most defiantly, lost his skittish nature around the snake. Nathanial would also be able to feel Andol come up behind and hug him also. The group hug went on for a few minutes before it broke up and everyone looked at the snake smiling while Andol walked across the room and picked up the trophy that they had bought and brought it around the snake and looked at the larger male and handed it to him saying, "You are always first in our eye's Nathanial, and welcome to the chess team." The trophy that he was being handed was much bigger than that of the first place trophy form the show, and was obviously costumed designed for the snake. It had the snakes name on it, and said, "1st place and Best in Show" Then right below that it said Nathanial. Andol had also hired a special trophy maker to construct it. The little statuette that was one it, was basically a little model of Nathanial painting a little version of his old painting... the one of his ex... There was also a bunch of miniature statues of Nathanial around the trophy where there would normally be the little angel like statues.
 
One thing the hungry snake was not expecting when they stopped by the chess room was to have a dozen warm fuzzy bodies hugging him. Now normally he would have enjoyed it for the fact it just felt nice to have so many warm bodies around him. Today however it merely made him hungry, especially when his science partner was the closest to his mouth. It took quite a bit of control to restrict the desire to hug them with more then just his arms. As a matter of fact his tail twitched ever so slightly. However his momentary lapse of control vanished when he saw the trophy.

"Wow, thank you." he said gently detangling himself from the swarm of fuzzy creatures. "It's beautiful Andol and it means a lot you all think so highly of me." he held the large trophy for a moment before setting it down and giving them each their own personal and very brief hug. His tongue darted out and he was able to taste food in the air, and it the scent didn't originate from his fuzzy companions it was coming from somewhere in the back. "I hate to seem rude, but is there food? Because I can taste it and I'm really, really hungry." He needed one big meal to keep him happy for the rest of the week. His tongue darted out yet again and he followed his senses and almost immediately began tearing into the food he found. In a way it seemed like he was punishing himself for considering the chess team meal tickets. The sooner he had food in his stomach, the sooner he'd stop staring at Mitchell and the others when they weren't looking.

Of course he made sure everyone else got to eat as well and soon he was patting his slightly bulging stomach lazing in a chair while he digested. There was a lazy almost sexual look in his eyes though he wasn't trying to seduce anyone. It was just that he was a very happy snake now that he got a chance to eat. "That was fantastic." he said stretching in an amazing show of snake like flexibility. "I've been starving for the past three days; the painting took priority over eating much of anything. It was interesting to see, that despite the fact he'd eaten three times his weight in food, he still managed to look nice in his cloths. Reaching over he began to idly stroke Mitchell's head in an affectionate manner and he smiled lazily. "You're so soft, like a big cuddly stuffed animal. You know when I was a hatchling I had a stuffed mouse named Whiskers. I loved that little mouse, but one of my sisters stole it...such a shame." It was almost as though he was drunk...could it have been from the amount of food he ate?

"Andol, you are the best friend ever you know?" he said suddenly losing interest in Mitchell and wrapping his tail around Andol. Using the muscles strength he brought the human teen to sit on his lap before unwinding his tail. Now he began to pet Andol. "You're soft too." he cooed nuzzling the human's chin. "Not fuzzy though, cept on your head." he snickered and kissed the human on the cheek. He grinned as he continued to pet the human, and then he reached over and began to pet another member of the chess team with Andol still on his lap. "I love you all, a full snake is a happy snake you know?" and he drifted off his eyes going half lidded as he almost began to doze amongst the warm bodies in the practice room.
 
The young man smiled happily as he watched the snake react so happily to the pouring of praise that rained down on the snake. He and the rest of the chess team had all seen the picture, since while setting up the party, the others had come to see the picture in the show in shifts so that they would all get a chance to see their newest members work. Nathanial would quickly find that the chess team would always be there for them, and he would always have his own personal cheering section at his meets. They took care of their own, and hoped that Nathanial would take three of them too... Andol wasn't the only one among them who got beat up. It wasn't like they wanted him around just for protection, knowing that he was around and would have their backs was still a good feeling. It didn't take him long though before he realized that his friend was getting hungry, and even though the other was passing around hugs of admiration, he noticed that there was looks of hungering being directed at Mitchell... at least until the snake saw the trophy.

He grinned at his best friend’s reaction to having a trophy given to him and the soft hugs that where being giving to all the chess teams members each in turn. Andol felt quite happy that his friend was so happy. After a round of hugs was given out though, the young man found the huger was catching up with his friend and he was only to eager to show the larger male where the food was, “Right this way buddy, we got the chef’s make your favorite rat dish for you, and they even made a big meal for everyone else. I just put it on the chess team expense report and I am calling this one of our parties. Yet it is all for you really, so eat and be merry.” Then turning to the others while snake did just that he said, “Well the rest of you shouldn’t just stand around, we don’t want him eating up everything…” He giggled at his own joke and grabbed a pizza piece for himself as the rest of the team began to dig in and eat the plethora of food that had been provided by the kitchen for them to eat. Conversation sprouted up around the room as everyone began to talk and hanging out, and everything went pretty normal until the snake finished up his meal, and the human watched as is friend seemed to sink into want was probably a food induced drunk state… they actually had signs in the school telling humans to let a administrators know if they saw a anthro like this, show they could be helped back to there rooms.

“I am so glad that you enjoyed everything Nathanial, me and the guys have been working hard at getting this ready for you ever since you started on that painting.” When the other was talking about how hungry he had been the young man said, “Yeah I kind of figured that you would want a good meal which is why we arranged all this, plus the trophy was for your hard work, because you should have won it anyway.” Norea nodded his head saying, “Yeah what Leo did to you was wrong, but don’t worry… we didn’t l let that ass spoil your big day.” They were all just glad the painting had sold so well, because there was really nothing they could have done to help it make more money. Yet it was then at that moment that thinks seemed to get weird with the snake. Andol couldn’t help but giggle at the moment that the large reptile began to pet the head of mouse and talk about how fuzzy he was… and Mitchell just seemed to love the attention. The skittish mouse had changed from the way he had been before, and so just cooed softly at being petted. Yet of course Norea was looking at the scene with a annoyed look on his face, and even cleared his throat with annoyance as though saying ‘That is my boyfriend you playing with.’ The opossum was known for being a little possessive, though it wasn’t that bad, he just got a little jealous every now and then. Andol continued to softly giggle and just patted the marsupial on the back, and the other male looked back at him, and the reassuring smile that was on his face, seemed to help Norea relax, though he relaxed even more when Nathanial’s attention was turned towards Andol.

The young man smiled happily at the compliment that he received from the larger male. He looked at the other and softly said to form what he could tell was a half drunk seeming Nathanial, "Thanks buddy, but with as good of a guy as you have been to all of us, you really deserve it." At that point he found the other male's tail wrapping around him and drawing him closer to the snake, until he found himself sitting in the larger male's lap. Of course as this happened he could hear Mitchell and Norea who was a opossum who everyone in the chess club knew was dating the mouse, but Norea was still in the closet and so most of the guys didn't say anything to him because Mitchell had asked them not to, and they always did what they could to keep Norea's secret hidden. The pair though where just a giggling in there usually girlish manner, as the young man was pulled into the snakes lap, and was then fussed over by the larger male. The young man was blushing beat red and it had nothing to do with the fact that people where looking at them. It was the fact that it was Nathanial who was fondling over him. Yet it as then that something happened that he didn't expect...

He felt the larger male's lips touch his cheek, and the blush that was on Andol's face went wild. Mitchell could not help saying, "Awww... how cute." Andol wasn't sure though if it was because of the way that the other was half drunk was the reason that the snake kissed him. He hoped that maybe the other had mint it, because truth be told he did have a crush on the larger male, which had grown over the last few days, and he wondered if he should probably talk to the larger male about it. Yet he knew that the snake would never want him... he was just the captain of the chess team, and well Nathaniel... could have any guy he wanted. The young man sighed though he thought back through his life, and realized that when it came to love, he had never really been the one to seize the moment. Though it was almost as though he could hear Draco talking to him at that moment saying to him, 'He's a great guy... you two belong together...' Andol felt that statement in his heart, and he knew it was right. So as the snake drifted off to sleep seemingly, the young man made his move as he leaned forward and wrapped his arms around the snake and just held onto the other male, and rested his head on the reptiles shoulders... speaking in a soft voice as though in reply to the words of the reptile, "And a happy Andol... is one that is close his favorite happy snake... Nathanial." The only person besides the snake who would have heard it, and if they did hear it reacted, was again Mitchell, who said, "Awww that is so adorable."
 
Nathanial hadn’t been asleep enough and when Andol spoke to him he cracked one eye open and looked at the human with interest. Gently he began to stretch out the kinks from dozing in the chain for even a few moments and he used his tail to set the teen aside. “I think….I need to go to my room now. Andol will you help me please, the room is sort of spinning and I might get lost.” It was an excuse to be alone with his friend and talk to him about what that whispered statement implied. There had defiantly been a romantic meaning behind it and while it thrilled the snake he didn’t want to make the wrong move and end up screwing the relationship over before it even had a chance to start. He reached over and patted Mitchell and Norea on the head lightly. “You two be good now you hear?” and with Andol’s assistance he made his way out of the chess room and towards his dorm.

It hadn’t been a lie when the snake said he might get lost. Twice he tried to turn them down the wrong hall and three times he’d nearly caused his human companion to smack into the lockers when the heavy snake suddenly got dizzy and lost his balance. The entire ordeal ended taking twice as long as normally and that was with the halls pretty much empty for the day. If there had been people there would’ve been casualties of some kind or another. Still it gave him a chance to sober up and work of a bit of his meal so by the end of it he was walking with very little assistance and chatting with Andol politely. When they arrived at the dorm he paused. “Hey do you want to come in with me? I need to clean up a bit and I have no idea if my body will let me.”

He unlocked his door with a bit of difficulty and then the two of them were inside the cool bedroom. “I just need to get the painting stuff out of the way.” He explained yawning widely. “Andol did you mean what you said in the chess room?” he questioned after a bit of silent cleaning. “I wasn’t all the way asleep and to me it sounded as though you liked me, in a more then just friends sort of way. Or am I reading too much into this all?” he paused from where he was reorganizing his paints and turned to the younger male with interest. He was still very tired but he was even more curious. This little human had effected him differently then the human friend’s of his past. Usually he wasn’t attracted to them at all. They were too small, too easy to hurt if one wasn’t careful. After all a boa like him? It would be easy to accidently harm the teen if they grew too close. After all he was a hunter and Andol for all his good intentions and sweet personality traits. He was prey, easy to take down and even easier to hurt. Of course Nathanial didn’t always see him in such a fashion. It was usually only when he was hungry….
 
The young man as he lay there against the snake’s shoulder quickly realized that the other male had indeed heard what he had said. It threw him off guard a little, but not too much sinice this was what he had been hoping for when he had spoke. Andol just hoped that the larger male would not ask him about it right now and would maybe take this into a more private area… and sure egough Nathanial came through with flying colors with a excuse that seemed to be bought by the whole chess team, and the two who didn’t… actually knew that it was better for Andol and Nathanial to have some private time at that moment anyway, so they where not going to say anything. Andol helped the larger male get up out of the chair, and the snake would find that Andol had a supirsing amount of strength in that lithe body of his. It wasn’t a overly supirsing amount, but it was certainly more than one would expect, consider Andol’s personality and all. He smiled over at Norea and Mitchell saying, “You two handle everything while I am gone ok. I am putting you in charge Micthell…” the little mouse seem to know exactly what to do, and as they both left the room you could hear the party that was still going on behind them. And the trophy would be delievered to Nathanial’s room, probably sometime latter.

As the young man guided his friend down the hall he realized that it was harder than he had at first thought that it was going to be. Yet he didn’t mind doing it, but he could not help but giggle everytime the larger male tried to go in the wrong direction and he had to steer them both back on course. He let out a ‘ouch’… as they hit on of the lockers but the young man shrugged it off as they kept going. It had not been that bad of a hit anyway. He was gald there was no one around, especially Leo, because he was sure the lion would love to take avantage of the snake’s messed up state. He was gald though as they got closer to the room the larger male, seemed to be able to get better and better, and his walking seemed to straighten out. Eventually he didn’t have to help his friend as much, but with the way that Andol still held onto Nathanial, it was obvious the larger male was in very good hands… because Andol didn’t want to see his friend hurt, no matter what.

As the two of them finally struggled inside of the dorm room and the door was closed behind them, Andol at that moment realized that they wher both finally alone… it was now time to get out in the open everything that he had been so nervous about expressing to the snake before. As the other said that he had to clean up Andol ploitely said, "Ok I will wait..." Though it was this waiting that made him more nervous, and even when he felt that it was ok to talk he still wasn’t even sure how to begin so he just stood there for a few moments and watched the larger male contiuned to clean up. Andol had a soft blush on his face that grew worse as he knew the moment of truth drew near… and then it happened. The question that he had been waiting for, and he thought about it for a moment to make sure that he didn’t screw this up by telling is feelings to the other male in the wrong way. As he started to become very nervous and his blush grew worse, the young man tried to speak, but all that came from his lips where a jumble of words that where all mumbled together and didn’t sound like anything. When he tried again he still got the same result… and so he thought back, to how Draco had calmed him down so that he had been able to tell him how he felt, and it was then that the young man realized exactly what he had to do. He just wasn’t sure how the other would react, but he knew that it was the only way.

So the human stepped forward without saying anything until he was close to Nathanial and then just reached out and wrapped his arms around the larger male and cuddled up close to the snake. He nuzzled his head into the larger male’s chest as he let the fact that he was touching the other’s body calmed him down just a little. Andol didn’t know why, but hugging a reptile always had been a calming thing for him. So he waited a few moments before he looked up into the snake’s eyes and said softly, “Yes Nathanial… you are right in what you assumed, because I do like you in that way. I mean before I just had a little crush on you like a lot of the people in the school do, but over the last few days as we have spent time together and you saved me form those bullies… and made me a whole new group of friends. I mean no one has ever done so much for me in my entire life, and really has shown me such caring. Nathanial you are such a handsome and beautiful snake, both inside and out, that I truly do desire you as more than just a friend…” It was then that he paused for a second and realized that it was probably time to ask that question that had been bubbling under the surface for a while, and he knew that it was one he needed to ask, “Nathanial… will you be my boyfriend?” He seemed to choke out the words when he spoke them because he was so nervous.
 
He could of course smell Andol’s nerves, any animal with half a brain could. He was worried about something, or unsure how to phrase what he was thinking. It was sort of touching and it took a lot of control for Nathanial to not smile at him. Instead he stood their patiently putting away his art supplies. If he’d figured wrong they would continue to be friends, the snake knew better then to pursue someone who wasn’t interested in him. The reptile even managed to hide his surprise when he was suddenly embraced. Without pause he wrapped his arms around the small human and held him close listening to his soft spoken words as closely as possible.

Andol’s willingness to try and date Nathanial touched the snake and made him smile softly. He’d assumed the human would never get over the lose of Draco and merely considered the snake a close friend. But a boyfriend, well if not for the fact he was cold blooded he would’ve blushed. Instead he merely stroked his companions back and kissed his cheek softly. “I would love to be your boyfriend. I’m honored that you asked me.” And he was quite the happy little snake for the moment. “I’m surprised you feel so strongly for me after such a brief time. However with such and enchanting personality I wasn’t at all surprised I fell for you so quickly.” Brushing a strand of hair behind the teen’s ears he looked down at him for a moment before stepping back and looking around his newly tidied dorm room before yawning. “Now I think I need to get some sleep before I pass out.” He kissed Andol softly before wandering off to his bathroom to change. “Feel free to stay if you want, but I won’t make you.”

((I’m sorry it’s so short I wasn’t quite sure what to do.))
 
(Hey it is cool.... just try to do better your next post :D )

The young man happily looked up into the loving eyes of the larger male as he waited for a answer that he hoped would be the one that he wanted. He wasn't really sure if the snake felt the same way about him, which is what made the young man so very nervous at that moment... then that was when snake seemed to know just how to stop his world as he agreed to date him, but not only that, the other male seemed honered and excited to go out with him. It was somthing that made the human very happy, and he said softly, "Well you came to my rescue like knight on a white horse. So of course I feel for you quickly... plus you have done more for me in the last few days than anyone in my entire life, expect for Draco." He knew that he was just repeating what he had said before, but it was somthing that spoke so much to the heart of the matter that the young man felt that he had to say it. As the snake brushed his hand behind his ear and then stepped away, the little human blushed with embressment. He knew that the whole chess team would know very quickly. He just wasn't really ready for people to know.

As he looked at the snake all he saw looking down at him was affection and caring… what he really could call… love, and then suddenly as the others face closed with his own, as he felt the scaled lips touch his own… in what was Andol’s very first kiss. Time just seemed to stop around the young man as they both kissed, and he melted forward into the snake’s arms, which only served to deepen it. It didn’t bother him that it was awkward kiss, but it was the feeling that counted. He felt at that moment a surge of love towards the male that sat there in front of him, and realized that the other felt the exact same way about him. Then as it broke the young man was in such a daze that it took him time to respond and all that came out was, "That was my first kiss you know..." He and Draco, had never really had a chance to kiss... which had been once of the sadess things about it when it came to the dragons death. He looked at the other for a moment as he said, "I would really like to stay in here with you Nathanial, though could I maybe sleep in the bed with you?" Though if they snake wanted they could go back to Andol's dorm where the bed would be big egough for the snake's tail. Ethier way was fine with Andol.

Andol had left his change of clothes in the snake's room form last night and so he waited until the larger male had gone off into the bathroom Then he slipped into his sleeping pants and then slipped into bed. He sat there waiting for his new boyfriend with this really cute blush on his face. Gald that he had finally found someone to feel that void of loneliness that had been left by the passing of the dragon. He seemed so happy sitting there in the bed and the blush that was still on his face seemed much cuter than usal. Andol was obviously a sweet heart, and was alway going to be one. It was when the snake came out that the young man said, "Hey Nathanial, uhm... could we keep this a secert bettewen us. I don't know if I am ready to be open about our relationship yet sinice I am still mostly in the closet... if that is ok with you that is. I mean I will tell others if you want me too." He seemed so nervous about the subject that it was obvious that the young man had a reason for being this way.
 
Part of Nate whispered dark things to him. He knew how in love Andol had been with Draco. What if he was merely a replacement? The human was so young and innocent despite everything. It was too early on for insecurity, he was merely hoping Andol didn't think he was anything like Draco. The two were almost complete opposites on more then one count or so he thought. Or perhaps he was too much like the departed Dragon? Was that the problem? Shaking his head he pulled on his sleeping pants, and a tank top so as not to give Andol the wrong idea before he remerged.

The large snake smiled softly an oddly gentle expression he was pleased that he'd been the first kiss. It made him feel rather good and it was obvious he was in a much better mood. However the suggestion to stay made him pause. Now he knew that Andol wasn't implying anything, but his long celibate body was eager to jump to conclusions that he had no desire to let Andol become aware of. Frowning softly he looked at his own small bed and then thought back to Andol's much larger bed. On a larger bed he could sleep further away from the teen so he figured that would probably be the best idea. "Well call me jealous but I'm glad I was your first kiss and I think it would be better if we went back to your dorm Andol, my poor tail needs a break. Though you like quite adorable snuggled in my bed like that." he smirked.

Slipping into his closet he gathered a small duffle bag of cloths to change into the following day. He patiently waited for Andol and together the two of them wandered back to the younger teen's single dorm room. "I'm sorry Andol, my bed is just so small I'm worried my tail would push you off the bed." he explained as the entered the dorm room together. "I think I'm going to buy a bigger bed with my auction money." he murmured as he slipped into the larger bed. Now Nathanial was always willing to cuddle but he was resisting for the sake of Andol. So once both males were in the bed he gave the teen a brief hug before slipping back several inches and sliding his tail between them as a protective barrier. "Goodnight Andol, we can talk more tomorrow alright?" and with that he began to drift off to sleep.
 
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