Song playing while writing this: Suffer the Children by Tears for Fears.
Chapter 2
"Shouta, may I please come in?"
Genuine concern was a rarity for Lucoa, normally she had a happy-go-lucky attitude towards life. She knew never to take things too seriously, her disgraceful fall from piety would never let it put a rain on things despite the magnitude of that scandal. However, witnessing Shouta receive a blow startled the plentiful dragon. This was the first time she had seen violence inflicted on someone she cared for. A brew of anger and sadness raged inside, demanding an answer as to who or what struck at the boy. This is what mattered now, nothing else.
"No… please, I'm alright…. I was just clumsy that's all…"
Lucoa didn't buy the excuse, which she normally would in any other circumstance.
"Shouta please, I'm trying to help you, lying to me won't make it go away, so open the door and we'll talk for a bit ok?"
The handle was turned and gradually slid open, Shouta was sobbing.
He led her to the bed where they both sat on, Lucoa resuming her inquisition. She wanted to get to the root of all this secrecy. Shouta was timid and at times upset, but never like this.
"Now, tell me what's wrong. And I want the truth… I treat you as if you were my son or brother, it doesn't only stop with you."
Eventually the boy rested beside her, hugging her close. He didn't mind the protruding bust, that wasn't the point. He needed someone to hold and talk too.
"We got into a fight at school, couple of older kids. They somehow knew I was different, that I had mage abilities, I snuck a speed potion in for sports class, they must've seen me use it. Anyway, they demanded where I found it, I refused and then…"
Shouta glanced at Lucoa, revealing the full extent of the damage again.
"Worst part is, they said they'll keep coming unless I tell them everything."
Her heart sank seeing Shouta this way, her boy vulnerable to attack because of a cheap trick at school. This put the fear in both of them, what's going to happen? Is Shouta going to be harmed even more? She could have intervened and sort them out, give them a taste of their own medicine. As his guardian she was willing to expose herself to guarantee his safety, no matter the risk. But alas, that would lead into unintended consequences. Everyone would be let into her true form which would complicate matters further, meaning an escalation in threats and perhaps prosecution. It seems there's nothing she or he can do but hope for the very best.
"Shouta-kun, I'm really sorry… didn't know it would become this bad…"
She cried with him, as though she'd been hurt too.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?!"
"Because I didn't want there to be any trouble, If I told any of the teachers they'll coax me out of it and make amends, which means I would have to reveal what I did at sports"
She was at a loss of what to do next, does she make a stand and prevent further blows? Or keep it under the rug until somebody, preferably an ordinary human who knows nothing about magic or dragons, stops it themselves.
After a period of time she eventually got up and headed for the door.
"I'm going to have a bath now, want to come in? I'll get that eye cleaned up for you"
She said turning to him, a speck of liveliness was in the voice
Shouta blushed, he knew what would entail, sharing the same bath with a voluptuous fallen goddess, it's nothing new. But he quickly suppressed the urge to refuse her offer, for once his libido wouldn't get in the way. He couldn't refuse the help…
"Yeah, that would be nice, thanks Lucoa"
He said with a faint smile, assuring her everything will be ok for the moment. The fact he called her by her proper name was also a big boost to her confidence.
"Great, let's head in, I'll run the water"
He then got up and left the room with her, feeling better from the conversation. Lucoa was starting to become something of a mother figure and less of an oblivious succubus. Shouta hoped something like this came more often, he would respect her more and have less stuff to worry about.
Maybe, just maybe, things will change for the better.
"We've been through this many, many times Tohru…"
Kobayashi said clearly annoyed, during dinner she ate the rice, the pickles and carrots but left the dragon meat chunks swimming in the tea. She won't be foiled that easily.
She brought the dishes back to the kitchen where a surprised Tohru stood like a thief who's been caught by surprise.
"Hmph! You can be so stubborn sometimes Miss. Kobayashi, I was only trying to get you to appreciate the cuisine we dragons feast on back in my world. I even gone through the trouble of seasoning the meat in exotic spices to relish the flavour!"
Kobayashi let out a groan and grabbed a beer from the fridge.
"You think I wouldn't be able to spot it? Something was going on the minute I saw that your tail was absent. And besides we're not in your world, we're in my world and here we respect people's dietary choices."
Tohru pouted
"So you're now telling me you'll only eat stuff if it personally agrees with you? You humans are such picky eaters, you're spoiled by choice that's the problem. In times of survival we didn't bother with silly debates about likes and dislikes, we just ate and move on. It wasn't about liking it, it was about having a satisfying meal."
"What? That's not the point! I'm talking about personal choices… what if I was a vegetarian or a vegan? You wouldn't keep serving up meat ignoring their protests, right?"
A sigh of defeat emitted from Tohru.
"I guess so Miss. Kobayashi… I was only trying to do my best"
Kobayashi's expression then moved from annoyance to understanding, with some help from the alcohol. She made it a golden rule never to be angry at her, angry at the action yes, but never at the person. No matter the incident she can't put down somebody sweet and innocent (well, to a degree) as Tohru.
"Don't sweat it, I can understand your frustration. You want to integrate a bit of your culture into mine. I get it, but dragon meat just isn't for me…"
The dragon maid smiled again, returning to her cheerful manner
"Thank you for understanding Miss. Kobayashi, it's been a full year since I met you. But I have a lot to learn and express, as well as my affection for you"
She sat down with Kobayashi on the couch, explaining further.
"You see, it's been a while since I returned to the other world, not that I have any intentions of leaving anytime soon… but I was wondering if I could show you around, see what life was like for my brethren. There's humans in it too, but their society isn't as advanced as this is."
Kobayashi took an interest.
"I see, but wouldn't be kind of dangerous to go back? I mean we only had the stand off with your father months ago, it has to be somewhere away from the conflict for starters"
"Oh don't worry I have the perfect place Miss. Kobayashi if we do decide to visit, a quaint little country called Egglund"
"Egglund?"
"Yeah, it's an island far enough from where my father is, it's been granted neutrality by the Gods long ago, so we'll be safe. Besides, that means monsters, humans and dragons can come and go as they please without the threat of attack."
Kobayashi raised an eyebrow
"Really, then I guess it isn't so bad… My day off is next week so we could make time"
Tohru shot up in excitement and hugged her close and warm
"Aw thank you Miss. Kobayashi! I knew you'd listen!"
The red-haired girl cuddled in too.
"Anything for my love, Tohru"
They then let go and snuggled together on the couch, watching the TV. A few cans of beer later and they started to get frisky with one another. Kobayashi examined and kissed Tohru's bosoms, worshipping them like a holy symbol. She started to rest on them like makeshift pillows. Tohru didn't mind at all, this was bliss!
"Oh Tohru baby, it's not fair…"
The maid playfully smirked, caressing her lover's strawberry hair, she was savouring every moment.
"That's right my jealous babe, Tohru's got you covered."
Had a burst of energy and drew this chapter up on the spot, expect to see Fafnir and Makoto in the next one.
I'd like to thank PK. Atomyst's story "Cry of the Drackin" for giving me inspiration to do this project, I hope to apply the same level of care and thought of that story to mine. If you haven't checked it out I strongly recommend you do, it's a yuri fanfic but cleverly done and has twists and turns of drama.