Chapter Fourteen: A whole New World
Chomper talked for quite a while, carrying a lot of weight on his shoulders. Ruby sat and listened to each and every word, knowing it was hard for him to talk about, to admit. Yes, he did eat a leaf-eater, but it came from a good place, a space in which preserved something very special, Chomper's morality. If there was ever an example of kindness in a sharptooth, to show they were more than monster, Chomper was it. Despite his feeble tries to be like the others, he was unable to change, remaining himself through the many years.
"He's wasn't the last." Chomper said, lowering his head. "I became the thing everyone feared. Hyp's dad was right, I am a monster."
"Chomper, you're not a monster, you did what the dying plant-eaters asked. You protected, helped them, till they took their final breath. Any other would've killed them on the spot, but not you." She placed her hand to his lower jaw, gaining his focus. "I don't understand how, or why, but you have a big heart Chomper, care in ways that many don't. In fact, I dare say, you're nicer than any leaf-eater I've ever meet. It's what I find most interesting about you. Where most see a killer, I see a gentle giant, a dear friend."
"Thank you, Ruby." He embraced her, glad to have her in his life once more.
"Now, let's get some rest." Ruby patted for him to lay down, nuzzling against him.
They fell asleep, lulled by the soothing flow of water. By the next day, they rose, Chomper walking out from the beach to eat the fish that swam around. Ruby watched on the shore line, enjoying the warm sand against her skin, smiling for reasons she didn't know. All she knew was she found her gaze on Chomper, who rose to shake the water from his skin, having a glint from the light. He sure got big, taller, with muscular legs, she thought, feeling her breath quicken while her eyes never left his chiseled body. That muzzle, the square chin, sharp yet tender eyes, orbs that pierced her to the core. She never felt so warm, heated by the very sight of someone, least not the way she was in that moment. Moving to dip her feet in the cool water, she tried to get her senses together.
Chomper shook himself and joined Ruby on land, getting the feeling she was uncomfortable. With an arched brow, he leaned down, worried that she was getting sick. "Ruby, are you all right, your face is red and you seem uneasy. are you bothered by what I told you?"
"I'm fine, well I am." Ruby spoke quickly and nervously.
"Okay, you wanna go for a walk?"
"Sure, a stroll sounds nice."
Ruby had to move and found Chomper's pace matched her fast walk, staying side by side. While Chomper knew the island well, it was new to Ruby, Chomper taking this time to show her around. Holding a limb or two aside, accidently snapping them, he smiled sheepishly and let her pass. With a grin, he scooped her with his muzzle, where she slid down his neck to ride upon his back. Hand's resting his head, she was able to see a good deal farther and high, given he was towering.
Chomper:
"I can show you the world, shinning shimmer splendid,
Tell me Ruby, now when did you last let your heart decide?
I can open your eyes, take you wonder by wonder,
Over sideways and under, on this mysterious island,
A whole new world, a new fantastic point of view,
No one to tell us no, or where to go,
Or say we're only dreaming,
Ruby:
"A whole new world, a dazzling place I never knew,
But when I'm way up here, it's crystal clear,
That now I'm in a whole new world with you,"
Chomper:
"Now I'm in a whole new world with you!"
Ruby:
"Unbelievable sight, indescribable feeling,
Soaring tumbling freewheeling through an endless diamond sky,
A whole new world,
Chomper:
"Don't you dare close your eyes,"
Ruby:
"A hundred thousand things to see,"
Chomper:
"Hold your breath it gets better,"
Ruby:
"I'm like a shooting start, I've come so far,
I can't go to where I used to be,"
Chomper:
"A whole new world, with new horizons to peruse,"
Both:
"I'll chase them anywhere, there's time to spare,
Let me share this whole new world with, with you,"
Chomper:
"A whole new world,"
Ruby:
"A whole new,"
Chomper:
"That's where we'll be,"
Ruby:
"That's where we will be,"
Chomper:
"A thrilling chase,"
Ruby:
"A wonderous place,
Both:
"For you and me."
For Ruby it was incredible, seeing all sorts of plants, flowers unlike any other. There was something truly magical about the island, untouched by plant-eaters and allowing the place to flourish. Chomper was eager to share it with someone, especially someone who'd appreciate its majesty and beauty. They came upon a cluster of flowers, red in color growing from a thorn covered stem. Squatting to let Ruby down, she slid off and stood back while he rose.
"Check this out." Chomper went to it and plucked one, offering it to Ruby. "Here Ruby, for you a flower that is close to your own beauty."
"Beauty, me?" Ruby wondered, taking the lovely flower and sniffing it. "It's wonderful, so sweet in smell. Everything here is wonderful Chomper, thank you for sharing it with me."
"Of course, Ruby, this place is rather large, even for someone as big as myself. Just wait till I show you other parts of it, why, there was this one area that had horrible smelling plants where I hid my friends from my parents." Chomper stopped, rethinking that place. "On second thought, there's probably better areas to show you."
"So long as we're together." Ruby said, seeing Chomper's face grow red. "You mentioned I was beautiful; do you really think I am? Not to be vain, it's just I never saw myself in that way and umm… I'm rambling now."
"No, I meant it, you've grown into a fine adult Ruby. It warms my heart to see you after all this time, to know you are well."
"You're handsome too."
He laughed, revealing his sharp teeth. It didn't make her flitch, Ruby simply smiling at him. "Stop it, you're only pulling my tail."
"Come on now, you don't think you're handsome?"
"I don't know, never really thought about it."
"Now you know, you Chomper, are a nice looking sharptooth."
"Really, so your words are truth?"
"Yes, because I said so." Ruby quipped, throwing him a playful wink. "So, up for a game of hide and seek?"
Chomper chucked again, shaking his head. "Ruby, aren't we a bit old for that?"
"Don't be such a hatchling Chomper, let's play like when we were kids." Ruby went and took his clawed hand, dragging him into the forest. "Remember how you were always it, for I knew you'd find my brothers?"
"Yeah, you did that on purpose, cleaver girl."
"Okay, close your eyes and hum to yourself till I hide."
Rolling his eyes, yet going along, Chomper shut them and waited for her to hide. When he felt enough time passed, he took a single whiff, locking onto her scent and going for her. Instead of finding her right away, he pretended to struggle. "Oh, where could Ruby have gone, I might never find." From her spot, Ruby held her hands to her face, trying to keep him from hearing her faint giggles. "I think I lost her, whatever will I do." He continued in a fake tone, clearly knowing where she was.
When she thought he left, she turned only to find him sneaking up behind her. "Oh!" With a gasp, she fell back, Chomper leaning down to nuzzle her with his muzzle. "Not fare, you, cheater."
"You know the nose knows, Ruby." He licked her face, tasting her as it were. When she froze, he quickly drew back. "Forgive me, I shouldn't have done that."
"Actually, I was thinking, do I taste good?"
There was a pause, the two bursting out laughing, finding themselves crying slightly. When they were able to breathe again, Ruby held her rose tightly while they walked along the brightly colored plants. Her free hand moved, going and reaching high to take his. He was taken back, yet found his fingers clutching her own. "And yes, you have a nice flavor, Ruby."
"It wouldn't bother you if I stayed, for a while, maybe longer, right?"
"No, but Ruby, you're an adult, don't you want to find that special someone. Settle down, make a nest, lay eggs and raise hatchlings?" He gave a small sigh, releasing her hand. "If you stay, there's no way I could give you any of that, or even, well, it." With the word 'it', he made quotations with his fingers. "You're small, I'm big, we're too different." Eyes wide, he didn't realize how off topic he got. "I apologize, I shouldn't be saying such improper things to you."
With a small smile, she simply shook her head. "Chomper, if I wanted all that, I'd have stayed in the Valley." Looking to the flower, she felt warm. "Truth is, I don't need that or even it, to be happy. All I ever wanted was to see you again, simply stay with you. Go to sleep with you by my side, wake to see your smiling face, hear your voice. If we're never official, that doesn't bother me, so long as I have you, that's enough for me. But is it enough for you?"
"You've all been enough for me, Ruby, always."
Bending over, he gave her a gentle nuzzle, purring slightly when he burrowed in return. Back to the ledge they went, Chomper laying down while Ruby cuddled close to him. He wrapped his tail around her, wanting to keep her close and never let her go again. While they never really confessed their feelings, it was clear the future they saw, one where they remained by each others side.
"Sleep well Ruby." Chomper whispered.
"You too, Chomper." The pair nuzzled noses, staring in one another's eyes till they fell asleep.
