It was night, under the cloak of the stars and surrounded by the warmth of the fire Cobra had managed to build, that the dragon began to stir. His eyes scrunched and opened slowly, coming back into consciousness. Cobra watched him until the dragon fully opened his eyes and looked around.
"Finally. Thought I'd have to check ur pulse to make sure you were still breathing."
The dragon shot up and stayed up, staring at him as though he had seven eyes. He blinked owlishly, red eyes shining in the moonlight. It was beginning to freak Cobra the fuck out. Did he hit his iron skull? Cause a screw seemed to be missing.
"What?!" Cobra snapped out loud when the dragon didn't stop.
You...you didn't leave me?
Cobra crossed his arms and looked off to the side with a scoff. "Tch. I'm not that big of an asshole. You did save my life after all."
And...and then you took me with you.
"Tch. Well I couldn't just leave you there—HEY!" The dragon fell onto him, nuzzling into his chest as Cobra sputtered.
You didn't leave...
His inner voice seemed to keen, whining in gratitude as he tucked himself into the fabric of Cobra's coat like a happy puppy. Against his will, Cobra's face heating and a blush coloured his cheeks. He opened his mouth but no words came out, because what could he possibly say to that? He merely stayed still, not moving a muscle, and willing the beating in his chest to calm.
Cobra pushed the male away as the moment passed, turning his face away so that the colour still in his cheeks would be disguised by firelight, muttering for the dragon to get off him before he decided to scorch his tail with poison. The Dragon. Was that all he was supposed to call him? Seemed a little shallow. But then again, Cobra was not known for his profoundness. He sighed.
"Hey beast," he muttered, and he could have swore the dragon's ear twitched, "You...you got a name or something?"
The dragon's ears perked suddenly and his head raised from Cobra's chest, watching him attentively now. There was a flash of something like consideration in his eyes as his head tilted.
...Gajeel.
"Ga...Gajeel?" Cobra tried. The dragon blink in reaction to hearing his name spoken out loud. "Gajeel," he said and the dragon sat up straighter. Cobra tried not to smile as his expression bore that of something comparable to a puppy, "Alright."
Gajeel then nudged him with his head. Waiting. Zenhäei?
Elf, Cobra remembered. And he certainly did not want to be called that if he could help it.
He looked back at the dragon with a frown. Meh. What do I have to lose from a dragon?
"You can call me Erik."
