Leaf stirred. She shifted slightly and, as a result, felt the grass underneath her body tickle her. The small movement also made her aware of something rough yet warm laid on top of her body—presumably Lithium's wing.
Even with her return to consciousness, Leaf remained where she was for a moment, her eyes shut. She vaguely wondered if May, Gary, or any of the dragons were awake. She strained her ears for any sound of her companions, but when none came, Leaf finally summoned the willpower to open her eyes.
The first thing she saw was darkness.
Leaf furrowed her brow. Since when was Lithium's wing this black?
She gave the makeshift blanket a soft, hesitant prod. The wing responded no less than a moment later and easily raised itself off of her, exposing Leaf to the blue skies overhead and surrounding wilderness. When Leaf tilted her head to the left to inspect the owner of the particularly dark wing, she mentally fumbled when she saw that it was, in fact, not Lithium.
"Azreth?" she asked, surprise coloring her tone.
The large obsidian dragon blinked open one bleary, gray eye to study Leaf. He opened his mouth and released something resembling of a yawn as he uncrossed his front limbs and stretched.
Morning, he hummed.
Leaf gave a nod of acknowledgement before pushing herself up into a sitting position, though the action was quickly followed up by a flinch and a whimper on the brunette's part as her wound suddenly reminded itself to her in the form of a sharp ache.
Careful, hummed Azreth as he watched her wince and put a hand up to instinctively cup her side. Might want to wait for Gary and Bandanna to come back before you do anything...drastic.
I feel like both you and your Rider would make great mothers, responded Leaf dryly, already slightly annoyed despite the fact that she had literally just woken up. She quickly scanned the area, which seemed to be barren of any other human or dragon life. Where are they?
Water. Food. Checking out surroundings.
Why are you with me instead of Lith?
Azreth's broad shoulders raised slightly and his head tilted a few degrees. They decided that Lithium's sonar would be more helpful and that I make a pretty good bodyguard anyways.
Leaf nodded and gently laid herself back down onto the ground again. She laced her hands behind her head. I see.
I suppose you do, replied Azreth. There was a pause. Then, tentatively, the dragon began, You know, despite him, Gary actually does care.
What are you talking about? replied Leaf flatly, closing her eyes. To be honest, on the contrary, she had a feeling she knew very well what the dragon was talking about.
I know him better than anyone, said the dragon, and Leaf noted a tinge of pride in his words. And I know that he doesn't let people in easily.
Are you saying that he's let me in? said Leaf sarcastically, opening her eyes to gaze accusingly at Azreth.
The large dragon met her gaze. I'm saying he's in the process of it.
"...Oh," mumbled Leaf. ...So what does that matter? It doesn't excuse him for being overbearing and...and overprotective.
A small cloud of dark smoke tumbled out of Azreth's nostrils—a dragon's equivalent of a human sigh.
Humans. He said the word disdainfully with a brief shake of his head.
Well excuse me, but your beloved Rider is human, too.
He's more reasonable.
I digress!
A few more tufts of smoke and Leaf suddenly realized that Azreth was chuckling. She watched the dragon amusedly and gave a small smile of her own.
Tell me, then. Tell me why it excuses him.
Well... Azreth shifted uneasily. Despite what it might seem like, he didn't have an easy past.
Intrigued and slightly surprised by this, Leaf pressed, Go on.
...Nah, denied Azreth after a few moments of silent deliberation on the dragon's part. If he wants you to know, he'll tell you himself when the time's right. Until then, just know that he'd hate to see any of you injured or dead.
You know, when people say that, that "right time" usually never comes, mused Leaf. She paused. Is it really that big of a deal?
Eh, said Azreth nonchalantly, closing his eyes. It's just a story.
Sure. Because it's no big deal that Gary has trust issues because of it, said Leaf sarcastically.
It's not my story to tell.
...If you insist.
Also, they wanted me to tell you, once you woke up, that we have decided to head to Silverhaven, said Azreth, casually changing the topic.
What? Leaf's eyes flickered open in surprise. Why?
It's the only place that we know for a fact has a rebel base in or near, thanks to the last mission of getting the parcel from that one dude. At the very least, it's better than staying in the woods for the rest of our lives.
Guess so...
Azreth opened an eye to study her. Something wrong?
A little, admitted Leaf. Are we flying?
The dragon shook his head. Ground. Flying's too risky. No doubt V-Dawg's already got the skies monitored twenty-four seven.
Leaf stifled a laugh. "V-Dawg"?
The dragon grinned, exposing a number of incredibly sharp teeth. Makes him more real, doesn't it? He's so damn famous and always such a big-shot.
Chuckling, Leaf looked over at Azreth, whose tail was swishing happily and whose eyes were dancing with humor. She reached over to playfully punch the dragon. You know, Azreth, you're actually pretty cool.
"Actually pretty cool"? echoed the dragon, sounding insulted, but the grin gave his true emotions away. What was I before?
I kind of thought you were just a dragon who was like his Rider in every way, all the way down to the flirting part.
Azreth chuckled. Well, you know, Gary really isn't that bad...
Leaf scoffed. Bite me.
Will do, quipped Azreth, lifting his head and beginning to make a show of snapping at Leaf, who was laughing while flailing like a turtle on its back in an attempt to fight the dragon off while avoiding agitating her wound, her attempts at self-defense severely hampered by her inability to get off of her back or move around.
It wasn't long before Leaf found herself genuinely enjoying messing around with the beast like that; it quickly became a war in which Leaf retaliated by aiming for the sensitive spots she knew all dragons had. It wasn't long before Leaf found herself laughing and giggling and feeling so much more carefree than she had in a long time.
A small corner of her mind wondered quietly that if Azreth could make her this happy, how much happier could his Rider make her?
The said corner of her mind was quickly shoved away and fed to an imaginary dragon.
A few minutes later, Azreth movements slowed to a freeze and Leaf stopped mid-jab to peer up worriedly at the dragon. The dragon's eyes grew distant for a few seconds before returning to reality and looking down at Leaf.
Gary and the others are coming soon. He says we need to get ready to leave fast because they've seen some V-Dawg guys nearby.
And just like that, the mood shifted. Leaf's demeanor morphed into that of a serious one, and she gave their surroundings another quick sweep. They have the supplies, right? she asked, to which Azreth responded with a nod. So all I have to do is get on your back.
Azreth eyed her warily. Can you do it?
I can try, she replied, though the uncertainty in her tone was obvious.
Azreth lowered himself down onto his forelimbs and shuffled as close as he could to Leaf, though as she looked up at how far away the top of his back seemed, Leaf was slightly overcome with despair. How was she going to haul herself up ten feet? Especially since she couldn't even sit up properly?
Sensing her uneasiness, Azreth assured her, You can wait for Lithium or Alkali, if you want. He says the goons didn't notice them; we're only getting out just in case.
I...
Leaf bit her lip. Backing down would slow their getaway by at least a few seconds, and despite what Azreth said Gary said, it was better safe than sorry, not to mention her pride. On the other hand, there was no telling what she'd do to herself if she tried to climb up Azreth's back by herself, she thought bitterly as she pushed herself up onto an elbow, flinching at the amount of pain a meager action like that did to her.
The answer to her dilemma turned out to be neither of those and actually came in the form of a shout of, "Leaf!" by a familiar voice.
Leaf's head snapped in the direction of the sound, and was relieved to see May on a trotting Alkali with Gary and Lithium following close behind. Both May and Gary's expressions were serious and focused.
"Hey, guys," greeted Leaf with a weak smile as Lithium ambled over.
When she was a few yards away, Gary made a smooth moving descent off of Lithium and, using the momentum, quickly bounded the last few feet to Leaf's side.
"Morning, Sleeping Beauty," he murmured with a roguish grin as he swiftly picked her up in his arms, and despite the fact that Leaf knew that he was doing his best to not jostle her wound, it still hurt like someone reopened her wound, poured gasoline on it, and lit it on fire.
Leaf couldn't help it. For a brief second, she shrieked.
"Shit—shit, shit. Damn it, I'm sorry, Leaf. It's okay. You're okay," said Gary quickly, lifting her up and then setting her down on Lithium as softly as he could. His eyes were regretful as he stroked the side of her hair until Leaf's whimpers died away, and through the pain, a part of Leaf found itself utterly shocked at Gary's hospitality. After one last "you're okay", Gary turned to Lithium and mumbled, "Subdue her before leaving," before rushing away a few paces to Azreth.
You're okay, love, assured Lithium, and a few seconds later, Leaf could already feel the pain dulling and her mind blanking.
I love you, Lith... was Leaf's last thought before her head lolled and her conscience was out like a light.
Sleep well.
The next thing Leaf woke to was the warm crackle of a small fire.
As she returned to consciousness, she was suddenly aware of a soft blanket draped around her and a warm, scaly presence to her left who, this time without a doubt, she knew to be Lithium. A few feet away, she could vaguely hear the quiet murmuring of Gary and May.
Once Leaf was fully conscious, her eyes fluttered open and she found a scene straight out of a storybook. A few feet in front of her was a quaint little campfire, one no doubt started by Alkali. On the other side of the fire were May and Gary, huddled together and talking in low tones. Alkali and Azreth were beside their respective Riders, and both were resting. Overhead, beyond the canopy of trees and branches, was a perfect navy sky dotted with millions of diamonds.
Lith?
Ah, you're awake? How do you feel?
Fine...I think your magic's still lingering. I'll be back to hurting in no time.
Lithium chuckled lowly. I'm sorry I can't keep it going for longer, but I wouldn't want to risk you. We both know what effect an overdose of dragon magic has on humans.
"Don't worry about it," mumbled Leaf, shifting into a sitting position. The movement caused her clothes and Lithium's wing to rustle, and Leaf was suddenly aware of at least two more pairs of eyes on her.
"Leaf?" called May softly. "Are you awake?"
"Nope," joked Leaf, and she looked up over and across the fire to meet May's eyes.
With a start, Leaf suddenly realized how bad May looked. Even with a campfire as the only competent lighting source, it wasn't hard to see the more depressing features of May's face. The brunette's once peppy eyes were now weary. Her previously shiny hair was now dull, and her face and arms were covered with small scratches. And in general, the brunette's face was more sullen than Leaf had ever seen it before.
Even when she smiled, it was weak and small. "How do you feel?"
"Fine, for now. ...How do you feel?"
A pause.
"...I've been better," mumbled May as she lowered her gaze to the fire, her expression solemn.
Leaf's heart broke. She'd never seen her best friend so...hopeless.
"Drew's alive, May," said Leaf quietly after a few moments of silence. "Don't worry about it. He's...he's fine. If they'd had wanted to kill him, they would've done it at the academy instead of shipping him off."
"Yeah...you're right," acknowledged May, though no hope entered her eyes as she continued to stare blankly at the embers.
"There are things in life worse than death," interjected Gary.
Leaf's eyes snapped up to glare at him for a moment in a what-the-hell-are-you-doing-being-such-a-downer kind of way. He stared back and shrugged in a hey-now-I'm-just-telling-the-truth kind of way that made Leaf sigh and stare at the ground and worry and wonder about their captured friend.
A few seconds later, Leaf heard sniffling and immediately knew it to be May's. It didn't take a genius to know what she was crying about, either.
Leaf returned her gaze to Gary again and met his eyes to give him a look that plainly said now-look-what-you've-done. Leaf watched as he sighed and reached out an arm to comfortingly sling over May's shoulders.
Silence fell upon the group, the only sounds being the fire and May's occasional sniffle. For a long time, nobody spoke.
And then, after what seemed like eternity, Gary broke the silence.
"Give up on him."
In a heartbeat, both girls turned their attention to the brunet, who was staring intently at the fire and pointedly avoiding both of their gazes. Leaf was only vaguely aware of her own gaping mouth.
"You mean...Drew?" whispered May, and Leaf heard the tremor in her friend's voice.
"You won't be disappointed if you didn't have expectations in the first place," he said slowly, and each word was like a jab to Leaf's heart; she could only imagine what his words were doing to May's. "I'm saying this as a friend." He turned to May and sharply met her eyes. "Let go of Drew, and no matter what happens in the end, it'll hurt less."
"I can't...I can't do that," protested May, her voice coming in nothing more than a whisper.
"Why are you so negative, Gary?" wondered Leaf aloud, and the frustration in her voice, however slight, was evident. "How can you say that?"
Gary his head to look straight at Leaf, and she saw that his expression was a bit annoyed. Leaf could practically see the retorts dancing on the edge of his mouth.
"There's a difference between negativity and realism just like the one between optimism and stupidity," he retaliated. "And if you're not sensical enough to see it..."
Leaf's eyes narrowed. "What, are you calling me dumb?"
"No, I'm saying you're not seeing all the facts here," he replied through clenched teeth.
"Please enlighten me, o great one," said Leaf sarcastically. "Really, what could you possibly know that I don't? How could you possibly know how May feels right now?"
"Come on, guys. Don't do this..." said May, but her pleas went ignored.
"I'm not saying I do," retorted Gary. "Not exactly, anyways. But—"
"Then don't pretend like you know what's best for her right now!" snapped Leaf. "You're always so full of yourself, and you always think everybody else should just bow to you and do everything you say—"
"What the hell?" began Gary menacingly, and Leaf watched him defiantly as he stood up and angrily began making his way over to her. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Don't you think you know, master of the universe?" replied Leaf sarcastically. "'If we're ever in a fight, just stay on the sidelines. I can handle the fighting.' 'Don't be a hero again.' 'Let me take the hits.'," she mocked him, using flamboyant hand gestures for effect. Her eyes quickly darkened again. "Kind of overbearing, aren't you?"
"It's a crime to watch out for my friends?" he demanded, his eyes narrowing.
"Friends? Is that what you call us? Sorry, I thought friends trusted each other," retorted Leaf, her eyes furiously boring into Gary's. "We're partners, Gary. Don't you think the least you could do is trust my abilities, too?"
"What if I'd rather save your life?" growled Gary.
Leaf glared at Gary.
"You're impossible," she hissed.
"Yeah? And what does that make you? Completely unreasonable?" he snarled.
"At least my friends wouldn't think so," said Leaf, clenching both her teeth and fists.
Silence then fell upon the two, and they glared wordlessly at each other for several long, endless seconds.
This isn't worth it, a small voice in the back of her mind told Leaf. This isn't going to end well. Just stop...stop and say you're sorry.
I have my pride, another voice retorted. And we're not losing to him...
"Gary..." began Leaf lowly, and despite her anger, there was a small tremor in the way she said his name that made the brunette desperately hope Gary hadn't heard it. "Even before this year, before the partnerships, all we've ever done is argue and argue and argue...to the point that I don't even know how the professors thought we'd ever make a good team."
Gary's face hardened and he pressed his lips into a thin line.
"Guess what? I agree," he hissed.
Annoyed at the fact that he was still trying to play it smart-alecky, Leaf found herself shouting, "Fine! Then I guess there's finally something we agree on!"
Scowling, Gary snarled, "I guess there is."
"Guess there is," echoed Leaf, rising to her feet and ignoring the protest of her wound, and her face was soon dangerously close to Gary's. "And you know what else? I'll take your advice. I'll give up on this partnership, since it's pretty obvious that there was never one to begin with!"
"Fine," he spat. "Like I care at all. So I guess there's no more need for this—"—he took off his pendant in one swift, furious movement—"—anymore, is there?"
Leaf glared at the necklace dangling from his fingers before returning her angry gaze back to his face. "And what are you going to do with that?"
Gary gave Leaf one more look of utter loathing before stepping past her with a hiss of, "Ending it."
Leaf's gaze followed him as he walked in the direction of a nearby river. He stopped when he was a few yards away, and then, in a flash of movement, he hurled the necklace into the rushing stream. A plop was all the pendant sounded before the merciless current swept it away.
As Gary stalked back to the camp, all Leaf could do was gape at him in shock and anger.
"Fine, then!" she screamed at him as he passed by her and trekked over to his bag, an unreadable expression on his face. As he worked on gathering his things, Leaf continued, with angry tears in her eyes, "Fine! You...you...just leave! You...moronic, fatuous idiot! I never needed you, anyways! None of us did! You can just...you can just...just die, for all I care!"
And with that, Gary stood up with a jerk as he slung his knapsack over his shoulder. His cold eyes looked straight past Leaf as he began walking in her direction. He didn't slow when he neared her; in fact, he brushed right past her.
The only thing he did to acknowledge her presence was snarl one thing when he passed her:
"I'll see you in hell, then."
Then he raised his voice and called for Azreth, who slowly rose to his paws. With one last reluctant glance at May, Leaf, Alkali, and a particularly lingering look at Lithium, the dragon crossed the length of their camp and plodded after Gary, his large obsidian head hung in despair.
Leaf wordlessly watched the two go. It wasn't long before they disappeared into the depths of the forest and the outlines of their figures became consumed by darkness. All the while, Leaf made no effort to stop them as the flames of fury continued to burn in her heart.
A few minutes later, though, they slowly began extinguishing. As they did, one thought became increasingly prominent in Leaf's mind.
What have I done?
dun dun dunn drama llama
may and leaf have a tendency to lose their partners for one reason or another, huh
anyways omg I'm sorry that this is like a week late. D: I've been pretty bad with my updates lately (my fails have been more prominent on my main account) ahaha but I'm trying to change that, I swear, it's just that life...yeah
thank you guys tons for reviews/faves/alerts! it's absolutely wonderful to see an email of that sort in your inbox, as you guys know, too. :) I wish I could review all of you guys too but life...yeah.
anyways :')
Thanks for reading and until next time,
-Apheleia
