Summary: Just a moment of relaxation for One which is good because Gabriella hates the Land of Sands.

A moment

Warm humid heat radiated from the large bath. One walked in wearing a towel securely around her torso. She held on to a bucket with various hygiene products and brushes of every bristle type.

Having just returned from a long laborious trip from the Land of Sands there was something that needed to be done immediately. She dipped her toe in cautiously. The water was lukewarm as requested since she wasn't able to take hot or cold baths thanks to her senses.

While standing the water level was waist deep, taking a deep breathe the intoner submerged herself getting as much of the sand off without scrubbing through her hair. As she reemerged for air Gabriella sauntered in. The large creature moved slowly as if mindful of her surrounds. Not that it was needed the bath was made large enough to fit the dragon without worrying about her tail hitting one of the support columns. The dragon extended her wings and gave a wet dog like shake trying to get extra dirt to fall off before entering the bath.

She stepped into the water and laid down raising the liquids level over the edge. Though for the dragon it was still as if she was lying in a foot of water. "Get cleaning." Gabriella ordered proudly holding her head high.

From the dry heat and UV rays of the sun to the grit stuck everywhere. Gabriella wasn't the only one who thought the Land of Sands was the most disliked territory. All of the reptile's complaints were valid. One secretly agreed with most of them, she was just too polite to voice any grievances.

It didn't matter if you traveled in the air or on the ground you were bound to be covered in dusty haze. When walking each little granule was like hot coal that molded around your foot and built up between your toes. Sand always got into her shoes whenever she wasn't mounted. It once even managed to trip her and take her boot off like it was a quicksand pit. Worst part was when her loud mouth companion saw her trip and laughed.

Gabriella scowled a little catching her attention. "What's wrong? I haven't started yet."

"Nothing. I hate that place it's hot as hell. I don't want to go back."

The songstress hummed. "But you know the Land of Sands is still necessary place. Appreciate the beauty. Like, it's the only place were cacti can thrive."

"I guess all the sand in my eyeballs blocked my view of those." There were no longer cacti in the Land of Sands. The roots couldn't take hold in the soft sand dunes; there wasn't so much as a tumbleweed blowing by. There was absolutely no color other than the dull looking sand and equally dull colored stone of ruined buildings.

One dumped everything in the bucket out to fill it with water. Gabriella's blue eyes closed enjoying the feeling of water cascading down her back. Many refills later she finally felt the brush scrap over her hide. The stiff bristles got between her armored scales removing the grit. After a few strokes the blonde dipped the brush in the water to clean the bristles then rinsed the area of her back. Wash, rinse and repeat. All the way down to the tip of her tail that wiggled in her arms when she was trying to support the limb to clean it.

Naturally Gabriella was able to clean herself and normally did. Whenever she wanted to get the small girl away from her desk or just to distract her for an hour she asked to be groomed. Besides why do it herself when someone else was willing to pamper her? The powerful creature thoroughly enjoyed the songstress' caring touch and the skinship they shared.

The blonde always took her time and never rushed while attending to her needs. It quickly became a monthly routine. Before leaving for the trip Gabriella made the intoner promise to bathe her after their little desert adventure. 'When we're done you have to groom me. I don't want to itch.'

After her back was done she switched to a softer brush to quickly preen both side of her wings. The songstress moved to the pile of items and grabbed a nail file. "Foot." The older creature shifted her weight exposing one foot. The girl wrapped an arm around her foot for support and inspected her claws. Thankfully she never needed to clip them since simply walking around kept them from overgrowing. However fighting sometimes chipped the outer shell of the nail. The short haired girl filed down and smoothed any rough chipped sections of nail.

Reaching for a wash cloth she polished her crimson horns on her head, they never grew unless she evolved. Next she checked her fingers filing and exfoliating the claws. Without much thought Gabriella leaned over and nuzzled her nose against One's cheek. The songstress smiled savoring the closeness for her friend. She didn't even mind being breathed on. Unexpectedly affectionate the reptile's tongue licked up under her jaw sliding up her cheek.

The intoner tensed up at the sudden wet feeling and shivered. "Gross. I didn't even clean your teeth yet."

"Gross?! Rude brat!" Annoyed the peeved dragon hit the water surface with her tail splashing the girl with large amounts.

"You eat raw meat." One defended herself using her arms to protect her face ensuring she didn't inhale any water. "It's gross."

"I breathe fire; my mouth is cleaner than yours!" The small girl laughed playfully and the dragon snorted smoke left her nostrils as if she was trying to proof a point. It had been years since she heard One's genuine laugh. It reminded her of the old days. Gabriella smiled feeling the nostalgia hit. In that second One looked much younger and less tense. However when the laughter stopped if felt like reality had fallen back into place.

"So you don't want me to brush your teeth?" Well, in Gabriella's defense her teeth were white and didn't show signs of decay. The only other dragon's maw she was near was Michael's. He also processed white teeth his breath often smelling like a dangerous wild fire spreading from tree to tree destroying everything in its path. The view from deep down in his gullet, glowing light appeared as it rose and formed a fire ball heading her way. She could feel the heat as she jumped and rolled out of the way. One shivered at that awful memory.

"Don't half-ass my grooming, half pint." Knowing the insult lack any real bite to it she grabbed a toothbrush. A combination of charcoal, rock salt and dried herbs were crushed into paste. Gabriella opened her mouth. Each tooth was coated in the paste even brushing at her gums and tongue. The herbs gave her breath a fresh scent though the aroma of fire was still dominate.

It was always amazing –the trust she had in the dragon. Why didn't One hesitate when getting so close to her muzzle? Her fangs were the only thing that could kill the intoner and cause injuries that wouldn't ever heal. Deep down, they both knew. If Zero didn't get to her first than-

"All done." The blonde pulled away and the dragon closed her mouth. "Roll over if you want me to clean your underbelly." The light color scales of her underside were faster to clean then the armor on her back. "We can't have your femoral pores getting blocked." She added with a snooty tease.

"I'm not a common lizard! I don't have that problem; we dragons do not need to secret scent to mark territories or attract others."

"No, but you're still a flying lizard-"

"Ugly brat!"

"-And when your sit sometimes things do like to cling." The reptile frowned, an annoyed growl escaping her throat. Without sloshing the water too much the dragon rolled over resting her neck against the edge for support. It was nice to submerge her back even if the rest of her was now exposed. The blonde used a soft brush down her torso switching back to harder bristles for her legs. Since her joints were protected by larger plated scales.

The second Gabriella was done and thoroughly taken care of, One finished washing herself. She need only a few minutes to soap up and rinse off from head to toe. Now she could relax and enjoy the bath with her friend. The intoner sat by the dragon's side.

"I wish this moment would last." The songstress cupped some water in her hands looking at her reflection. While her face didn't reveal any bags under her eyes the short haired girl felt them there. At the smallest disturbance her reflection distorted. She opened her fingers letting the water pour out of her hands. "Even if I'm sitting in filthy water."

"Then take this moment to enjoy today and forget about everything. We can worry about tomorrow, tomorrow. I think you've earned it at the very least."

They had spent the rest of their bath in silence. It didn't take much time for the water to become slightly chilled though Gabriella couldn't tell it felt the same to her. One was the first to move feeling the difference in temperature. The dragon stood causing huge ripples in the water from all the liquid dripping off her.

Stepping out she shook the extra water off faster and flapped her wings causing a cold gust over the songstress. Gabriella wore a light smirk at the blonde's not amused expression as she shivered in her towel. "I'm going for a quick flight to dry off." Trailing wet footsteps out the door she greeted the fresh air.

The flying lizard took a few laps around Cathedral City. The circulating air between her scales and welcoming sun dried her hide in quickly. Not much was going on down below; just a few guards making their rounds. No signs of an incoming fight yet. Gabriella returned to the small girl's side entering her bedroom through the large window.

One was dressed in a night robe still drying her hair. Gabriella didn't bother to say anything as she made her way towards her bed and curled up on it. A sewed up blanket filled with straw to make a soft mattress for her. It had a nice subtle scent to it that she found relaxing. It was large enough to fit her body but her wings and tail hung over the side.

A minute later the dragon felt the intoner approach her trying to crawl underneath her side. She blinked, frowned at being disturbed, but tolerated her body getting manipulated. She felt the little body slither under her and eventually the amber haired girl settled in under the loftier body. The intoner made sure her arms were free so she could use them for support.

"Shouldn't you be worried about getting crushed, Pipsqueak?" It wasn't the first time One choose to sleep close to her. Even when a perfectly good bed -decked out with the fancy curtains for comfort and privacy- was nearby. But the blonde was never one for extravagances especially if others were suffering. She was perfectly happy with simple.

The singer made sure her companion had a bed before herself. On chilly nights One preferred the warmth that came from the flame in her belly over a quilt. On warmer nights she favored the cooler scales of her back or tail to press into.

"No, you just look heavy."

"Excuse me?!" The reptile pulled back to glare.

"You're huge, but not heavy." The singer started with her reasoning ignoring the dragon's outrage with facts. "I imagine you have hollow bones to allow you to fly in the sky, like a bird, but it must have a thickness or sturdiness that allows you to tackle and body slam opponents-"

Gabriella grimaced in exasperation. If she didn't stop One, her love of knowledge wouldn't permit either of them to fall sleep tonight. "Alright enough, shut up and go to sleep already." She put her head back down and closed her eyes. She felt One nuzzle into her throat. Blue eyes reopened hearing the girl breathe oddly. "Are you sniffing me?"

Humans don't rely heavily on scent like animals. Especially not One; whose senses were stronger than most. Gabriella swears she doesn't bathe normally just for One's sake; she just likes being clean and comfortable.

"I'm making sure I did a good job."

"I wouldn't have given approval on a sloppy job." The dragon nudged her nose against her hair returning the gesture. The warm exhale brushed over her and drying her silky strands further. "You smell like a hors d'oeuvre." The smaller girl smelled sweet -good enough to eat- and yet, her scent carried something monstrous that made her dragon's blood boil.

One rolled her eyes. "Is that so? Then that's good, I don't mind."

"What?" Gabriella pulled away slightly to look into One's ruby eyes.

"When it's time to go I want you to eat me." The amber haired woman hesitated before speaking. She did slightly flinch at the eye contact but the nonchalant way she spoke sent a chill through the dragon's spine to the tip of her tail. "I know intoners are not supposed to exist in the world. Call me selfish if you want but I still want to stay with you for as long as possible." There was a short pregnant pause. "Besides, you're nice and warm." She added trying to lighten the mood a little patting her shoulder with a fake smile.

Gabriella averted her gaze putting her head back down so she wouldn't have to look at One. "Morbid brat."

One didn't retort but shifted curling up in a cozy position. She felt the warmth and safety of the dragon's weight pressing against her back and folding her arms for a pillow. The sandman promptly came for her. Gabriella adjusted her position making sure not to crush her. Instead of lying on top she maneuvered around her letting the blonde mold into her neck and shoulder instead. With a yawn she rested her head on One's back using her as a pillow.

If only this moment could last. But it won't. Not only because as a dragon, her time was on a completely different scale than the other creatures around her. Intoners weren't human; she had known that from the start. One and her sisters were all notable abnormal. The second eldest sister accepted her future no matter how messed up it was. It wasn't a burden; Gabriella would do whatever One wanted if just for a moment.