14

Back at the dragoon base, Julian sat cross-legged in the relative quiet of the squad room, eyes closed in focused meditation. He was diligently building on his mana cultivation, channeling his energy with a precision that belied his young age. Three long months of rigorous training and disciplined living had wrought a visible transformation. The last vestiges of baby fat had melted away, replaced by the firm, developing muscle tone of a budding warrior. His small arms and abdomen were now defined, hinting at the strength he was steadily gaining. He’d also shot up a few inches in height, no longer the diminutive figure he once was. Now, he could nearly hold his own in a sparring match against some of the more seasoned dragoon privates, a statement to his unwavering dedication and inherent potential. The air around him seemed to hum with nascent power, a subtle indication of the magic flowing within.

Julian’s eyes cracked open at the sound of Private Dohva’s warm tone, his focus snapping back from the depths of meditation. His green eyes shifted over to her, taking in her gentle smile. He accepted the folded parchment, his small fingers carefully breaking the wax seal bearing his father’s crest. As he scanned the contents, a subtle tightening of his jaw betrayed his growing displeasure.

“It would seem my father does not approve of my sister courting a boy at the academy.”

Julian murmured softly, his voice laced with a hint of exasperation. The letter was filled with his father’s characteristic fiery indignation, a scathing critique of Halston’s lineage and a stern warning to Eira to reconsider her affections. As he finished reading, Dohva’s arms encircled him from behind, a comforting embrace that enveloped him in warmth. Her large bosoms pressed gently against the back of his head, a familiar and oddly soothing sensation. He leaned back slightly into her embrace, a quiet acceptance of her silent support. The scent of her milk and something uniquely 'her' filled his nostrils, momentarily calming the simmering frustration within him.

“Should you really be embracing me so?”

Julian mused thoughtfully, his voice barely a whisper. He tilted his head back slightly, his gaze meeting Dohva’s.

“I’d wager my aunt’s jealousy would not treat you so kindly.”

A flicker of concern crossed his features, a subtle acknowledgement of the precariousness of their situation. He knew Thaline’s possessiveness over Dohva, as well as her unwavering dedication to his training and well-being, it all often bordered on control. And he suspected she wouldn’t take kindly to any perceived intimacy between him and her personal woman.

Dohva chuckled softly, a warm, rumbling sound that vibrated against Julian’s back.

“Your aunt has her ways, little one.”

She murmured, her voice a low and soothing caress.

“But I’ve faced down dragons fiercer than her glare. Besides...”

She added, squeezing him a little tighter.

“...a bit of comfort never hurt anyone, especially a growing boy like yourself.”

She didn't seem particularly worried about Thaline's reaction, her confidence radiating like a gentle heat. Plus... deep down, she knew Thaline would never actually harm her.

Julian shuddered, a small, involuntary tremor that ran through his body. He allowed Dohva’s breasts to squish around his head warmly again, his small frame sinking further into her embrace. He closed his eyes, a sigh escaping his lips as he surrendered to the comforting sensation. It was a childish indulgence, a moment of innocent pleasure that soothed his weary spirit. However, buried beneath the surface of his seven-year-old consciousness, the remnants of the 25-year-old adult male within him were experiencing a very different reaction. A surge of primal satisfaction coursed through his veins, the adult mind within him leaping for joy at the unexpected intimacy, relishing the feeling of being smothered in the generous curves of the cow demi-human’s ample bosom. A secret, shameful pleasure bloomed within him, a dark undercurrent to the innocent comfort he outwardly displayed.

Dohva smirked down at him, a knowing glint in her warm brown eyes. She began to thread her large, calloused fingers over his hair, gently massaging his scalp. It had grown out a bit since Thaline’s last disciplinary shave, the fine strands now resembling a patch of soft, white grass.

“It’s growing back fast.”

She murmured, her voice a low rumble. Her fingers continued their soothing rhythm, working out the knots and tension from his scalp. Julian leaned further into her touch, a contented sigh escaping his lips. The warmth of her body, the gentle pressure of her hands, and the scent of milk and earth created a cocoon of comfort around him. He felt safe, protected, and strangely… indulged. Though the last thing he wanted was to fall asleep.

“I really don’t want to be in the middle of my sister’s love life.”

Julian murmured, his voice muffled slightly against Dohva’s chest. A hint of annoyance laced his tone, a childish exasperation with the complexities of adult relationships. He lifted a small hand, his fingers delicately twirling a few strands of Dohva’s long, silky black hair around his finger. It was a small, **** gesture, a way to ground himself in the present moment and distract from the turmoil brewing within his mind. The strands felt cool and smooth against his skin, a pleasant contrast to the warmth of her embrace.

Dohva’s smirk widened, a playful glint in her eyes as she watched Julian toy with her hair.

“Love is a messy business, little one...”

She rumbled, her voice laced with amusement.

“Especially for fairies. They feel everything so much more intensely.”

She paused, her fingers gently stroking his back.

“But your sister seems quite smitten. Halston is a handsome boy, and from what I’ve heard, he is quite taken with her as well.”

"Love?"

Julian’s question hung in the air, a small, innocent inquiry that carried a surprising weight. He had never experienced love in his past life on Earth, his existence now was defined by ambition, power, and a relentless pursuit of magical mastery. The concept was foreign to him, a hazy abstraction he’d only encountered in stories and songs.

“Do you love someone? My aunt Thaline perhaps?”

Julian asked, his voice filled with genuine curiosity. He tilted his head, his green eyes fixed on Dohva’s face, searching for an answer. He knew Thaline felt 'something' for Dohva, a possessiveness that bordered on obsession. But was it love? He wasn’t sure he understood the difference.

A delicate blush rose on Dohva’s cheeks, colouring her fair skin a soft rose. She chuckled softly, a warm, rumbling sound that vibrated against Julian’s back.

“That’s… a complicated question, little one...”

Dohva murmured, her voice a low and soothing caress. She paused, carefully considering her words.

“Thaline and I… we care for each other deeply. We have a bond that is strong and… intimate. Whether that is ‘love’ as you understand it… well, that is something even we are still figuring out.”

She offered a small, enigmatic smile, refusing to elaborate further. It was clear their relationship was complex, a tapestry woven with threads of affection, desire, and a shared history. She wasn’t about to dissect it for a seven-year-old boy, even one who held the mind of a grown man.

“Fair enough… I shall leave my sister be then…”

Julian decided promptly, his tone surprisingly resolute for a seven-year-old. He seemed to latch onto the idea of avoiding the entanglement of other people's affections, as if it were a strategic decision. He pulled away slightly from Dohva’s embrace, his small hands gripping the edges of her tunic. He wasn’t entirely disengaging, not yet, but he was creating a small distance between them, a subtle assertion of his own boundaries...