I have been thinking about it lately and I can't help myself :)
Ray had no idea what led him to this moment. He knew Bob for at least a few months now and they have been through so much. They even learned a little about one another. But knowing Bob, he is not gonna reveal his feelings or open up so easily. He was like a walnut with a tough shell. It's gonna take much force to crack it open. Or that's what he thought.
Said creature was laying on the ground next to him. His focus on the large tarp showing off a monster action film. Ray can't remember what it was called and had soldiers facing off dragons that laid dormant for so long.
Here they sat on a hill as the people below were in their cars eating snacks and chatting. Probably warm. California wasn't exactly cool during most days but now it was cold due to the changing seasons. Ray tried to bundle himself up in his jacket but it served little to no warmth. Nearby was a radio so they could hear the movie since neither knew lip reading.
And the old thing could pick up stronger signals thanks to a certain Reef prince. He could not believe what was going at the moment. Bob actually sat still and was quiet. Bob isn't the calmest creature and he isn't one to remain still at times. He usually gets antsy if he doesn't get any action or something exciting. It was crazy to say at least.
Just moments before, Ray and Bob were investigating San Campion for any other Kaijudo realm activity but the night was still and calm. Nothing out of the ordinary, as far as you get with ordinary creatures of a different dimension that you fight within duels. They called an all-clear and when Ray called the masters to know of their status.
Then Bob caught the scent of something and heard screaming. He immediately flew towards the disturbance thinking there was an attack. Ray nearly hanging on as his knuckles were white for holding on tightly to the dorsal hook on his back. "Bob!" he screamed but the ferocity and speed of the air drowned out his voice. He barely slowed down noticing Ray was having some difficulty remaining attached to him.
When he landed Ray was ever so thankful that he didn't fall off. He did multiple flights with Bob some leading to him falling onto the ground. But Bob all of a sudden nose-diving was a first. His heart pounded against his ribs as he tried to steady his breathing. When he was almost calm he shouted. "What the heck Bob? What were you chasing after?" Bob growled and said he heard screaming. And something smelled off. "What did you smell?" Bob sniffed the air again and grumbled about something being salty. "Salt? You smelled salt?"
Both heard screaming and rushed towards the source only to stumble upon a cliff facing a row of cars facing a large tarp showing off a horror movie. At the moment it was depicting a monster chasing a group of teens to an abandoned cabin that was heavily boarded up.
Thinking the worst Ray gave off a sigh of relief and laughed. "Ray, they are screaming at those creatures-" Ray laughed a little harder. Bob didn't understand and was becoming a little infuriated. "Bob that's a movie!" He laughs. "Well, technically a horror movie. It's a drive-in theater." He continued in a series of giggles. A what? Bob thought. Why would humans come out here to participate in this kind of thing?
"What's a mouvie?" The way Bob pronounced it made him laugh a little harder. After calming down, he explained as best as he could to Bob on what a movie and theaters were and why people went to them.
"Is it a source of entertainment?" Bob asks. "It's like that gladiator fights Lord Skycrusher dwells on. But instead of gladiators, its actors play the scenes and put the film together." He said. Bob growled to himself and went back to watching the screen to see the "creature" attacking a human and began to consume. Ray shuddered and gagged a little about how that was brutal and internally how that could've been them at most times. "Do humans enjoy this kind of entertainment?" "Well. Not all of us Bob." He went on to explain how there are many genres and each person has their own taste.
Bob growled in acknowledgment and looked towards the screen and noticed a dragon flying nearby but no sound. It was a tarp showing off another movie. "Ray, can't I hear anything?" Then came another explanation of how drive-in theaters worked and such. One thing led to another and Bob found a movie he had some interest in.
Ray sat next to Bob as they watched and listened to the radio. It was oddly quiet. Bob wasn't much of a talker, to begin with. Ray respected that but it wouldn't hurt to get some conversation going. When they do talk it's usually about the duel they are in or Bob giving an explanation of himself but that was rare.
Thoughts flowed through his mind like a river and he was thinking back on his recent memories. Especially the one where he had to give Bob a bath and found out he liked to be pet. He claims he didn't like it. Because he ended up retaliating against Ray by what he thinks is wrestling or tickling. But nonetheless, Bob was as careful as he could be. He remembered how Bob nipped and nuzzled his stomach to make him laugh so hard he begged mercy.
Bob had a victorious grin but just like that Bob turned stoic and dropped the smile and told him not to do that again. And Ray never did. He never touched Bob other than climbing his armor. Bob looked over to him and noticed he was in deep thought. He used his tail to shove Ray a little to get his attention. The simple action alone startled him a bit. He gave Bob a somewhat annoyed expression and went back to the movie.
It was a tough few months. Dealing with the Choten, his memory taken, the realization who his father was, and his attempts to save him and the constant lying and constant danger would put a lot of stress on a child his age. Bob would know, he faced death on multiple occasions. Prejudice, betrayal and constantly being hunted like wild game. It would damage someone. The pits, he didn't even know what the word "friend" meant till Ray.
He wondered if he had anyone other than his guardians or Allison and Gabriel. He knew his father wasn't there because of the Choten. But Bob always wondered if he had cousins close to him. Or some siblings that he hasn't mentioned yet. "Ray?" "Yeah Bob," The boy looked over to him and noticed he was still facing the screen. "Do you have siblings?" Ray gave him a confused expression and asked what he was talking about.
"Do you have siblings? Like a brother or sister?" Ray nodded no. "I don't have siblings Bob. I'm an only child. Why do you ask?" Bob made an excuse that he just wanted to know. "How many siblings do you have Bob? I know about Moorna and your brothers. But do you have more? Is it just them? Or is it all step-siblings?" Bob grumbled to himself and sighed. Looked over to Ray and said. "Other than the ones you mentioned, I have at least 12." Ray looked astonished. "12 siblings?! You're kidding?! You have 15 brothers and sisters?!"
Bob only shook his head. "It's true Ray." "From the same dad?" He nodded. Before Ray could ask Bob said. "Dragons are prideful and very primitive. They prefer to mate with other dragons only. They can have many children at a time. But in my case, my father mated with my mother." "But they don't look alike from what I can tell." "It's due to the genetic traits between the parents. Moorna has my father's appearance as do I. The others not so much."
"Man I can't imagine living with 15 siblings in a single household. But if he has 12 children what about the mothers?" Bob smirked. "That's a completely different conversation Raiden." Ray immediately knew what he meant and blushed. Bob snickered a little and tried to hold back his laughter. Ray tried to shove his arm but no such luck. "So your dad has 12 kids, including you, and is a general if I remember correctly. How does he deal with everything?" Bob shrugged. "That was one question I had in mind as well."
"How did he meet your mom?" Ray asked. "I have no idea really. She never told me. Doubt I ask. I don't want to know how my parents conceived me." He said with a disgusted growl. "Ew! That's gross Bob." He laughs.
"So, what else is going on in the fire realm?" "The trading station is being built up again. More repairs to the fire kingdom arena and council." "Lord Skycrusher still growing his scales?" He asks with a smirk. Bob smirked back. "He is. It's taking him a little longer than I have expected." Bob shrugged his wings a little as they felt cramped and his shoulder blades were a bit sore. He spread them out slightly to get the blood flowing within them. "Back is sore?" "Mainly the wings." He grunts. "Figured that I would be used to them by now. I had no idea that they would hurt after a day of flying." "Maybe it's because they are crammed into the shoulder plates that secure them," Ray suggests.
A cold breeze came through blowing at them with some force. Ray huddled himself a little more due to the cold. Bob just groaned in annoyance.
Bob noticed Ray shivering and pondered on something. "Bob," "Yeah Ray?" He answered pretending that he wasn't cold. "Is it uncomfortable for you to wear armor all the time? I never saw you without it. Other than the time we were captured by Skycrusher's air volcano forces and that other time." Bob pondered a bit and shuffled a little to get more comfortable. "Sometimes. But I'm used to it. And I rather keep them. I like my weapons and my armor." Ray laughed a little. Typical Tatsurion. He thought.
"Doesn't it bother you in the fire realm? Or is it just meh, to you?" The boy asked. Bob wondered why he was asking questions but figured it was because he started asking questions. "It's uncomfortable at times. But like I said. I'm used to it." He gruffed. "Doubt I get used to it. Probably get a heat stroke or something." "Your body isn't made for those kinds of temperatures, also not capable enough to hold yourself in the armor. In those temperatures, you certainly will be cooked alive. Intentionally or not."
The boy shivered again. Not from the cold but from the idea of being cooked alive in your own skin and armor.
They remained silent for some time. Listening to the already half done film from the radio and the movie was nearing the climax. "How do they know how dragons act?" Bob grumbled to himself. Ray thought about the questions and figured to ask about the sibling one. "Bob, why did you ask if I had siblings? If you see my household you'll see I am an only child. Is there something up with your brothers at home?"
"Nothing is wrong at home. Especially with my brothers." He huffs. "I figured, I ask. I never saw anyone other than your guardians and Allison and Gabriel." "Well, like I said I'm an only child. Lucky me huh?" He joked. Bob didn't understand the joke.
"You have cousins in Japan?" He asks. What's with the family-related questions? "Yeah, I do. You somewhat saw how that went." "Do you have cousins here?" Ray gave him a shocked look and didn't answer. He only muttered. "We don't see them all that much." Bob's eyes widened. He doesn't see them? "Why is that?" Ray looked uncomfortable but figured he'd tell him most of the details but not all. "My mom's side of the family is not exactly what you consider the nicest people around." He said as he shuffled to get comfortable and to warm himself up.
Bob knew exactly what he meant. "They are prejudiced by your mother's relationship with your father." He states. "Ray looked over to him with a sad expression in his eyes.
"You could say that." He said quietly. "Ray," The boy didn't answer. "Raiden" he growled. Ray shivered again. Either from fear or the cold. He nudged his head forward and made Ray toppled over landing on his back. Bob used his muzzle to hold him down. "Bob! What are you-" "Did they hurt you?" He demanded.
Ray looked astonished. What was Bob on about? "No-" "Don't lie Ray. I can smell it. Did they hurt you? That's all I want to know." Ray shivered. "Bob they didn't." "Ray," His growl was deeper and more threatening. "They didn't hurt me." "Ray the truth." "I am telling the truth!" Bob growled a little deeper. Ray was beyond afraid now. Remember he won't hurt you purposely. He would never hurt you. "I am telling the truth, Bob!" He shouted.
Bob didn't believe him. He knew Ray was lying about something. "They never hurt me because they aren't allowed near us!" He shouted again. Bob looked stunned. It was rare for the boy to shout. And when it happens it's a big surprise to him. "They can't hurt me since we moved away without them knowing. My mom made sure that we have no contact with that side of the family." He said reassuringly hoping that Bob will let him up.
"They are not like my dad's family. They hate the fact my mom had an interracial marriage. They are narcissistic and are horrible to my mom. That's why she left. Why we left. So she won't have to deal with them. So I won't suffer the same pain she has."
Bob looked stunned. He looked back on how he thought Ray was like a little brother to him. Now he's acting like an overprotective one at that. He smelt fear off of Ray. Figured how he acted scared the boy.
He let the boy up and said a low sorry and wandered off from him. Ray couldn't believe what just happened. First, they were watching a movie and were just asking a few questions then he was on the ground with Bob demanding if his family from his mom's side ever hurt him. Though scared, he knew Bob dealt with that kind of pain with his family. Mainly physical. But he couldn't leave him alone as someone might see him.
Ray brushed himself off and ran after the creature. "Bob!" He called. He didn't hear a response. He remembered the hide and seek game they played a few months back. He was good at hiding. No doubt about it. He had years of experience. "Bob!" Now that he has wings he can fly off. "Bob! Where are you?" He shouted. He ran around the forest to find him whilst calling him. "Where are you?"
A twig snapping behind him made him think that it was Bob but he heard what sounded like huffing and a series of growls.
He turned to see a bear. In a tree nearby were a pair of bear cubs. "Oh boy," he mutters. Ray tried to slowly back away from the bear. Knowing how a mother bear will do anything to protect her cubs. The bear looked at him cautiously and kept backing away. Hoping that she wouldn't charge.
Before he knew it the bear made a bluff charge. He full-on ran to avoid the bear. Unbeknownst to him, the bear went back to her cubs. (if I'm getting my bear behavior wrong I'm sorry.) He kept running as his lungs burned. He stopped to take a breather. The boy used his gauntlet to call Tatsurion to him. Or summon someone else to him when he heard something growl once again. He turned to see an owl hissing at something.
Probably him. Or maybe Bob was nearby. "Bob?" He called. No answer. "Tatsurion!" No answer. He was becoming more frightened and tried to guide himself when he heard a metallic snap and a loud roar. He ran over to the sound to see Bob with his tail caught in what looked to be a bear trap. Including his arm and leg.
"Bob! You ok?!" He ran over to him for Bob to growl at him to remain still. He looked down to see another bear trap. He grabbed a branch nearby and pulled it off as hard as he could to trigger the traps so he can safely pass through. Despite Bob's protests. When he got to Bob he noticed blood pouring down from the wounds. "Oh jeez, Bob! How bad is it?" He tried to pull at one of them but it was stuck.
"Ray," he growled in pain. "Get back! Now!" He did as he was told though a little hesitant. Bob then blew fire onto the metal seeing it melt and Bob grabbed the material and tore it away. Causing more pain.
He managed to remove all but 1. The one on his tail. Ray came over and noticed it was boiling hot. He couldn't touch it without being burned possibly to a 3rd degree.
Bob couldn't believe what he did. He scared the living pits out of Ray just to get him to confess about his mother's side of the family. He was frustrated. With himself mostly. The way he acted scared him actually. He feared that his mother's side had hurt Ray. And not just mentally. Just like how Bob was treated when he was young. They got physical with him. He hoped that wasn't the case. Yet he was physical with Ray. He strolled the woods needing to clear his head before returning so he could take Ray home. Unbeknownst to him, the area he was walking in had bear traps set by hunters hoping to catch a bear or any other large animal. His tail drifted towards one of them and the amount of pressure placed onto it caused it to clamp down on his tail. Making him roar in shock and in pain. His leg caught another trap causing it to snap shut along the one on his arm.
The pain seared through him and let out a pained roar. He heard someone call his name but couldn't tell immediately as the metal teeth dug into him. "Bob! You ok?!" He turned to see Ray and saw a bear trap laying in front of the boy out of sight. He tried to run over to him but Bob growled at him. "Ray don't come closer! Remain still!" He saw the boy look down in shock and horror. He nearly stepped in one that was close to the one he saw.
Ray grabbed a branch from a tree and triggered the traps so he could get to him safely. Bob kept protesting for him to stay back. He tried to grab the one on his arm but each tug at the teeth made it worse. He couldn't hear him but told him to back away. The boy was hesitant but did as he was told. He concentrated on his fire within him to melt the contraption. It was glowing red but it wasn't melting. He grabbed at it and managed to get it out making him groan in pain. He proceeded to do the same with the one on his leg. Now only one left. The one on his tail. He wanted to rip it off but how? Ray can't touch it without being burned. Ray grabbed another branch from a large tree and jammed it into the contraption and put all the force he had to jam it open. It was slowly opening and Bob grabbed it and took it off with another painful sting.
Ray inspected the wounds and asked him if he'll be ok. He knew it would hurt like absolute hell, but said he will be ok. After all he did have tough skin. He picked Ray up and held him closely and flew into the air till he hit a nearby pharmacy as Ray told him so he could get supplies for his wounds.
He placed Ray down as he remained hidden and told him that he would return shortly. And saw him run off. He figured he tended to his wounds and began to licking his wounds. The metal tang of blood stung his tongue. He heard rapid footsteps and saw Ray with a bag of some sorts and began taking out the supplies and setting them down as he tended to the wound he wasn't licking. He tried to be gentle as he could but he couldn't say the same for the hydrogen peroxide.
The immediate sting made him growl. "Sorry Bob," he said to him as he added more. Then started adding the bandages. He figured he would say it now. To get it over with. "Sorry Ray. For…..everything." "I am sorry too Bob. I didn't mean to offend you." Offend him? Offend him?! "Ray you didn't offend me! You may annoy me sometimes but you don't offend me." Ray looked stunned. Not saying anything. "When you said that your mother's side of the family is never allowed to interact with you, I feared that it was because they were going to or are physical with you." "What?! I haven't seen them since I was 8 years old! Mom literally kept them away from me. No way they would have the chance or deal with an angry mother. Speaking of which," He then told Bob about the bear and her cubs. Hence the expression, "never mess with momma bear" he heard about.
"I guess I should appreciate that you cared but not appreciate how you handled it." He said shyly. Bob gruffed and made a small smile to himself. "Yeah, you should and sorry. Again. Ray. And I guess I went a little overboard as I, um….. Seeyouasabrother." Ray didn't hear him correctly and asked to repeat. "I see you as a…." "As a what?" Bob growled to himself. "I SEE YOU AS A BROTHER!" He shouted. Ray looked stunned by what he heard. A brother? His brother? "You see me as a brother?" He asks. "Technically a little brother but, yes. I do."
Ray laughed. "Ironically Bob, I kind of see you as an older brother."