And… Bonus Chapter, in apology of lack of updates and keeping everyone in limbo! Instead of just refurbishing this tale, I'd love to add a little something in between to give Flame more personality. Anyone who saw the previous version, expect this little surprise, and first-time readers enjoy it anyway. Nothing is missed, and it's a scene added and some dialogue changes to enhance it, so no need to break a sweat. Same title, just redone; next part will come out in a few days so no one is kept in limbo after revisions.
Anyway, enjoy!
Chapter 2: A Familiar Flame
The bushes rattled once more. Ember firmly planted her paws into porous soil, directing all attention to what was approaching. I swear if this pervert was watching me…, she thought with her cheeks agitated with a red fluster. Gah. Wait until I get my pampered claws on them. Light their tail like a candle or tan him a burnt red, pervert!
Upon the last rustle of the leaves, a pair of familiar, yellow horns protruded straight from the brush. A petite fire crackled on a gold, isosceles triangle-shaped tail blade to illuminate the darkness. The outstretched candlelight connected to a red scaly tail. "Hello, anybody out here or not?" a slightly higher-pitched male voice called. Out from the leaves pierced a pointed snout, and finally exposed a bright fire-red dragon about her size and an inch taller. The dragoness' fiery breath subdued immediately upon recognizing the physique of the wanderer, his crimson eyes recognizing her too.
"Ember?" it recognized with confusion. The red dragon pushed himself halfway through the bush.
"Oh, Flame. It's just you." she spoke with her blush fading a bit. "He-Hello?" It was only her close friend; that thought alone relaxing her without any thought of a threat.
"Uh, hey Ember? What's… Up?" he greeted awkwardly, and blew the flame away. "What are you still doing outside?"
A part of her hoped it was Spyro, but was cut short from responding immediately. The previous rush of excitement flipped her eyes open with the wayward air's cold breath fanning the lewd sensation on her lewd region. I hope he doesn't catch my scent!She hastily lowered her tail, trying to conceal it from Flame. "I… – I might as well ask you the very same question too!" she spoke with equal puzzlement. A subtle blush camouflaged with her rosy cheeks. "What brings you here this late at night, especially here of all places?"
Flame's eyes wandered away from Ember; the unfamiliar scent was already enough to toss his attention completely. "First of all," he began, "What's with the smell? It's a weird and funky, and it's kinda… welcoming. But it's very–"
The pink dragoness's facial tinge intensified more red. Quickly, her tail flicked an azure flower down to the dirt to stomp under her forepaw. The plant's retained water and juices spilled with a more pungent aroma. She brushed her lewd claw on the flower and its petals. When she turned towards Flame, she cleverly brushed her crotch against the leaves of the bush to wipe off any residue from masturbation. Finally, she pushed her claw towards Flame, and pointed at the ground flower. "That's the smell, just stepped on a scale-lily, nothing more." she concocted to fake an answer.
The male dragon backed away by her paw against to his pointed snout. The stench was intense, enough to crinkle Flame's nose in disgust. "Oh, okay. Er, I don't think it was too important but just grooosswhatever it is…" he shrugged to her to avoid any further questions. Inside, he wondered about the scent and her odd reaction before, not this unpleasant odor.
"Enough already, Flame," she asked in an annoyed tone. Gross, even in mating season, Flame? Really? "Why are you here?"
"Oh, right. I wanted to check out the Chronicler's Stars from our books from Artisan Academy. I've heard of some rare constellation recently found similar to one discovered already, so I figured I'd walk around and see it for myself. 'Sides, it's most clear in midnight, so it's the perfect time as we speak. And…I could use a bit of extra credit." he admitted with a silly grin to show off his white and sharp teeth. He pushed her paw down. "As for my question: what are you doing here yourself, Ems?"
The dragoness wiped away a few sweat drops from her face. "Ah, the skies. I didn't think you'd have that much of an interest in the starsand their beauty."
"Actually… I need it so I can pass better than average." he chuckled, shrugging it off. "If I don't get the points, my parents will think I'm slacking and flip, and they're already watching me."
Ember rolled her eyes. "Then study so you don't tread on hotter water!" she groaned and slapped him on the cheek lightly with her tail. "Otherwise we don't get to play together with the other dragons, and I'd be eyeing you daily to crack a book while you're grounded - again."
The flame dragon lurched back, and shook his head. "Alright, alright, jeez. Well, I mainly did this one since it's easier; it's either take observations on my scroll of this odd constellation or an analysis of the Guardians from some distant war numerous miles from here." He teased Ember with the tip of his tail blade against her neck. "Do the math, and I'll be smooth sailing. Plus… They do look pretty and sparkly."
The pink dragoness sighed, "Very well. But I've got my eye on you." She told him, and then raised her sights to the skies again. "I was watching them earlier. It is my favorite hobby back from Artisan Elementary, remember? The stories always fascinated me since – not to mention how astounding they look. It's reminiscent of my ruby pendent." She looked away, pretending to act casual after the mishap and his laziness. As always, he was a card with other dragons as usual.
Flame situated himself next to her with a claw pointed into the sky. "See this formation right there?" directed the fire dragon with a claw to a lava-orange glow. "That's Ignitus, who is supposed by many to be the Chronicler now, the Charred Martyr. You can see it by the glowing red ring around the formation."
Ember nodded and yawned, figuring to amuse him – if he'd pay attention. "And the reasons being his wide wisdom and prowess. As a fire dragon entrusted as a Guardian, he was successful in defending a special dragon egg far away from a raid and dragon egg infanticide by savage apes." she rolled her eyes. He probably memorized that to impress me as usual,she dismissed in her thoughts.
The fire dragon placed both his forepaws back to turn her, and extended his other paw to move in an arc ahead of them. "And he perished through a wall of flames to protect what was the purple dragon of legend and a dark dragoness formally raised from evil, hence dying within the cinders to serve his duty to protect those dragons as the tale goes as a martyr."
The pink dragoness tilted her head. That's pretty spot on, I'll admit. She nudged her friend with the elbow of her foreleg. "And the purple ray of light there – that formation a bit down – is Malefor…" The dragoness lowered her sight below, shooting towards the darker, purplish lights. She laughed to herself, "Hope you did your homework, bookworm, but what makes this ominous one special?"
Flame smirked, accepting her challenge. "Malefor, the False Prodigy. This ancient dragon proved incredible potential through his mastery of the elements as a purple dragon a generation before Ignitus' time. Unfortunately, his heart darkened towards the path of evil once he was conceived a threat from his might by his peers. After his exile from home, he attempted to bring forth a terroristic "cleansing" for evolution which would have erupted our entire planet to shatter into nothingness. Thus, his formation is recognizable by the blackish cloud of what is stardust within the formation." the dragon explained to the pink female.
The dragoness's eyes brightened with approval. "Exactly!" she squeaked as her tail patted his back. "Quite impressive, Flame. Why don't you act this smart with others, instead of horsing around as a kid? I'd have expected you to be held back a year or two already!" she teased, bumping her shoulder against his. "Then again, you answered two things in particular, not other things I might test you on. Guess the tutoring when watching you paid off."
The male curved his brow with a grin. "Because I want to look good in front of others of course. Not too bookish, and not that dumb, like a balance." he chortled. "I'm sure others do that – maybe not the complete opposite like me – but surely you've done it once or twice like others, maintaining a social status and keep up with classes."
Ember shrugged her shoulders. "I suppose. But out of everyone, I'd never have expected you to be like that." she bluntly admitted.
"Why thank you!..." Flame smiled with his teeth. A second later he tilted his head when thinking twice of her response. "Ex -cuuseme?" Ember's eyes widened. "Oops, I didn't mean it like that!" she bashfully babbled, and quickly looked away.
Her friend merely laughed along without a falter in his expression. "Well, if I look too good, then some dragons might crowd around me. I'm fine with being average to others for some fun. It's simple, and I still get things done. I just don't show off as much. Plus, I'm brighter than you think – at times. I pay more attention when you're reviewing stuff with me."
Ember agreed, "Sounds reasonable; some humility is good. And now I know you actually listen, so great!" The dragoness continued to stare towards the sky with Flame. She blinked a few times to feel a new palpable aura; not even for the slightest wistful woe swerved into her mind, even when she tried to think of one. It was more peaceful, and she could once again concentrate and lose herself at the sterling skylights of space. They stars glimmered a silver radiance, much like her own jewelry to show herself at her prime.
Upon further inspection of the stars, the dragon constellation remerged again with its distinctive light. Unlike last time, it piqued punctilious interest; it was not there, she was certain, after constant nights gazing towards the skylights – or perhaps she was distraught as usual earlier. Ember pushed herself higher on her forelegs, and took a step forward, nudging Flame's shoulder with her head.
"Say Flame, did you notice this new beauty?" she inquired, hoping Flame would catch on to her observation. "Apparently in all my years and recently this suddenly appeared in the sky maybe today! Perhaps it was that constellation of your assignment."
The fire dragon raised himself alongside Ember, and squinted. The orange lining of stars held a familiar form. "Hmmm… The form looks familiar. It kinda looks like…Spyro, especially with the horns?" he gathered eyeing the phenomenon. "But isn't it a bit early for the selection of the next Chronicler to have another dragon constellation, especially since Spy's as young as us and still running around as the hero? I saw him pass me by this morning, after all." Flame stared towards Ember with equal puzzlement in his eyes.
A confused look smudged on the dragoness's face. "Beats me; could be someone else since that's associated with a famous legend or feat. Sure he's saved Artisans and lands a bunch of times, but nothing legendary." Ember shrugged, and giggled. "You think he needed an assistant or something?"
Flame agreed and suppressed a crackling laugh. "While The Chronicler records the events and lives of everything, who's going to fetch him a fresh quill and ink?" The two dragons both shared a hearty merriment from their silly speculation. Ember smirked, "So you brought your scroll to write this all down, and note its form?"
The flame dragon paused with an empty and dumbfounded expression, looking pale. "Uh… Forgot my quill… And scroll…"
Ember giggled as Flame flushed with embarrassment, "I'll help you remember. Just relax with me and maybe think. I'm sure maybe you'll make at least one elder laugh, maybe Astor."
As soon as they regained their breath, Ember broke the silence. "Well, it's a legend, so we may never know much like the others being stories. Books and scholars speculate legendary dragons become part of the stars to watch us all, typically our ancestors. Normally they'd be a new Chronicler, but this one appeared recently after Ignitus was discovered. So, your guess is as good as mine." she surmised.
The male nodded. "Again, who knows? As far as we know, that one's a beaut to look at even if we don't fully know its true origin…" Flame scooted against Ember enough for their sides to touch. "And it's close to being the prettiest thing I've laid my eyes on. How about you?" he said in a softer tone.
The dragoness smiled, "Close?" she repeated curiously. "Er… Sure, that's good." Ember knew as usual Flame liked her, but she wanted a bit of distance – particularly during her infatuation with Spy and her failed attempts attracting a male recently. She was content being best friends and only best friends, even after talking with Flame about it a month ago. A few faint images replayed in her mind as he touched. It flickered Spyro again – the one she preferred more than her fiery companion, but simply found it tricky to let go of no matter how hard she tried to move on.
Through the white void of her thoughts, a familiar silhouette she encountered a while ago with a familiar, tall and dusty brown hat stood still. The thought made her shudder. "…Well, I guess so, yeah. …At least this can burn gorgeously for much longer to me." she somberly muttered the last part.
The fire dragon emitted a quick gasp of interest, "Huh?"
Ember gasped in surprise. "Oh, nothing. Just thinking aloud – never mind." The dragoness faked a sheepish smile to Flame's eyes. She didn't want him to think too much of a few problems. She then averted the subject, "Considering you're different alone, what kind of girl would notice you of your true self if everything is all child's play to you in the outside? When they'd hear 'Flame', they'd think of the silly dragon rolling around and chasing friends and cracking jokes in class. Even I wouldn't expect a sharper, intelligent dragon like the one right next to me." She wanted to stare at the stars to forget Spyro earlier, yet Flame's new presence coaxed her into a gentle peace and interest.
The light shone slightly towards Flame, warding the darkness slowly from his raised paw. "About behaving different, that's when I'm alone. I just get bored. And when I'm bored I'm hitting the books at times or brushing up my fire element. Some nights I just simply contemplate what goes on around me, the day and what I feel I should to for the upcoming tomorrow. Except when other dragons are around, then my playful side takes over, kinda like taking a break with the guys." the fire dragon explained. His eyes ceased to twinkle a reflection of the skylights and shifted towards the interested pink dragoness.
Ember nodded, unaware of his sight locked on her. "Clearly. Even this surprises me since I think you're a joker." she giggled, draping a wing near his back to pat him. "Not that I don't like it; it's a lovely surprise. You don't play with girls that often - or at all, do you?"
Ember's heart beat slowed with the gentle winds brushing against her. She shivered from the frost, feeling her wing rest on Flame's back, and took a glance at him. His stare at first startled her, yet her smile curved in approval. "What are you staring at, egghead?" she mocked playfully, and hid behind her wing like a fan.
Reality slapped Flame, shaking him back into complete concentration. "Er – huh? Oh! I…Uhh…" Flame stuttered and turned away. His light, crimson scales easily concealed the heat in his cheeks. "Sorry. You know, I…got lost in your eyes for a second there…" he took a deep breath, trying to recollect himself from the unknown feeling in his body. Somehow, it was more pleasing and inviting than persisting and inhospitable to him.
Ember closed her eyes and allowed a claw to wander in circles on the moist dirt. "Well… I guess I can forgive you, only because you like my sky-blue eyes." she beamed with a grin. Her claw continued to trace closer towards Flame's unsuspecting paw.
"So, I take that as you do not see many girls, or maybe not one-on-one in privacy." the dragoness deduced, as her shy companion nodded. "Well, aside from Spy, I rarely play with many guys. As a hatchling, I think that's when I got to mingle most with them, not really recently."
The dragoness focused her eyes toward his with a comforting smile. "Though, I can very well speak to my best friend, even if he's a guy, and in private." She grabbed his paws with a friendly grasp. "Besides, we've known each other as hatchlings, so just relax."
As his scales heated up, Flame nervously shifted his gaze from her into the beautiful twilight again. "Well, I guess you're right." he answered with sincere agreement. In a brief half minute, he finally stared directly into Ember's bright eyes again. "So, er, can I ask you a quick and tiny question, Ember?"
The dragoness nodded. "Anything at all, just ask Flame. You're my best friend, and no one's here to judge, not even me."
The male balanced himself on his haunches. The claws of his forepaws timidly twiddled away. After a gulp to gather his gumption, he leaned his sight a slight angle from the pink dragoness' eyes. "Well just… As question between two friends, of course, but have you ever, um… kissed another dragon?" Flame inquired with a deeper flush of red in his face. Despite his confidence, personal thoughts always made him a bit coy, particularly with Ember since their little chat.
Ember curved her eyebrow, and put a claw on the tip of her maw with tentative thought. "Hmmm... Have I ever..." she mumbled, and then nodded. "Yep, sure have!–"
Flame quickly gasped and interjected with shock, "Wait, really?" Before he hung his head in disbelief. He stood up, and whipped his head around to shake it off, "Well, whatever. I did the same a few times!" he gratuitously responded the dragoness and headed beside a tree to lounge against on his haunches and faced her.
She raised a claw, and stepped closer towards him. "Hmm, does a game of 'Spin the Spirit Gem' count? I did give only a peck to a guy in that game, but that was several years ago." she shook her head with a straight face. "This is purely curiosity we're talking about, right? It's not like you actually have, had you?"
Flame nodded hesitantly. "Yeah. That's what we established before, between friends." he repeated as a drop of sweat trickled behind his head. "And… No I mean an actual kiss. You know, on the maw, and longer than a peck, nothing of a game either." He began to pant softly, wondering if he was touching sensitive territory. He pondered to himself how long he can pull the act as a means for her to notice him rather than answer more questions on what did not happen. The boastful dragon leaned against a target painted against a mechanism connected to a mossy platform Ember didn't noticed she stood upon.
Was it too strong of a question? I hope it wasn't too uncomfortable for her to think about – or worse ask me more about. His breath intensified as it loomed over the thought of the provocative question. His eyes shifted, wondering how to get himself out of such a topic, and leaned more against the tree. Click! went the gadget, and the platform wobbled below Ember.
She shrieked as it was unstable, and the device initiated a creaky spin. "Wha-What's the meaning of this?!" she demanded, and the platform shook once more. The revolution's force launched her slightly on her back and off the edge. A loose vine from the ground pulled up to the platform and managed to ensnare a single hind paw on the edge as it erected several feet in the air. Ember merely dangled and swung like a pendulum, looking concerned. "Why's everything upside down?!" she babbled and thrashed to no avail.
The flame dragon gulped, and fluttered high enough to meet with his flipped friend. "Oops, uh…" he nervously smiled. "I… think I miiight have touched the lift for flightless hatchlings to pick fruits… But I can fix it!" I think…
"Do something, coal-head!" she whined, still struggling. As her movement continued, the quicker her period of swinging was with more force. She attempted to focus a few pellets of fire to shoot at the vine wrapped around her hind paw, except many shots bounded off the platform, completely missed, or faded so quick to not burn a thing, and felt dizzier. A loose ember shot managed to burn a vine of an apple as it plopped on Flame's head on the platform. The flame gave Flame some inspiration eyeing the leaf attached to the stem and the fruit. Though torching the vine would drop Ember and hurt her.
The flame dragon's eyes squinted to contemplate a strategy from the thick leaves above him. His quick paws wrapped the thick leaves he plucked from above around her hind leg, next ensuing to tie a stringy vine to secure the leaves. "Tel me if this hurts, Ems." he asked her. Flame propped himself on his belly and gripped the leafy area with his own sharp teeth. The dragoness nodded, and felt a few bumps of his fangs cushion against the plants, but not a single wince emitted from Ember against his grip. Flame looked back on his tail, and concentrated a bit of fire to coat the blade of his tail. With one brief swipe, the vine burned with a scratch, then incinerated to mere ashes.
Ember cried out as the gravity of her weight forced her down for a tenth of a second. Her fall stopped suddenly as Flame struggled with the claws of his hind paws scratching the wood to stay on the platform. His forepaws and upper half of his body hovered past the platform as he pushed himself backwards against his weight. "Help pull me up, Flame!" she cried out.
"You're heavier than I expected, it's not easy as I anticipated." he admitted in the heat of the moment, and gritted his teeth.
"Ex-cuuuse me?!" she yelled while being raised slightly in each tug of her companion's. The fire dragon paid little attention, and maintained his balance completely as she got higher. Until…
"Grgh," Flame grunted, and pulled enough for her tail to raise and lay flat on the platform. He gulped, and took sight of an oddity on Ember. A tiny slit was visible, as well as a puffy ring forming right under the base of her tail below the horizontal slit from her underbelly scales. The flame dragon grasped with his forepaws her hind paws instead and comfortably laid on his belly once again, "W-Wait for a bit… I'm trying to regain my… grip." He lied, feeling very distracted by the entrances from his friend. Scanning her lower body with his eyes slowed her ascent, as he felt a heat rise in his body from head to toe.
Flame felt a heaviness on his lower body in particular. An instinctive thought came over him from the heat of the season, wondering if he could have his way with the dragoness he shows off a bit to and give her a grand time, alone with her. He lowered his snout right above her area, and took a good whiff. It was drier, but distinctive much like the lewd scent when he first encountered Ember before she ground a putrid flower. So she was up to something else… he thought with a sly grin on his face. The dragon felt his hips move to and fro in a slowed rhythm, as a few extra thoughts raced within his mind. Climbing atop Ember, giving little nips on her pink neck with his razor teeth, and having a new form of "play" with her, something he'd never thought to crave so highly until the season took hold of his lust so soon.
"Flame!...Why'd you stop?"… The male blushed deeply, and sped up his movement against the cool air.
"Why did you stop? Are you even listening? Flame!" the dragoness shouted again. From below she was unaware she snapped him from his dreamy trance, as he shook his head. "S-Sorry, Ember." He apologized looking down to the swinging dragoness, and finally balanced on his hind legs to lift her up by her sides completely to his level, and flutter down back on the ground. A buzzing from the target vibrated and clicked with a last twirl of the platform back to the ground.
The dragoness pushed herself away from his arms with the adrenaline driving breath after breath. "Phew… What was that; did you do that, Flame? You know those buttons are for flightless hatchlings who want to pick fruit, not for fun and games!" she chastised him in a strict tone as she was still in shock.
The flame dragon pawed the ground, and looked down. "You're welcome," he answered bitterly to her. "I just saved you from bumping your head on the ground hard, and being stuck."
"I could very well have taken care of myself, thank you very much. And why go help me like that, when if I free myself I could help myself?"
"Because I didn't want to risk you getting hurt, and definitely not again!" he shouted and dug his claws into the earth. Ember paused, and placed a paw on muzzle. Her friend continued on in a raspy, rueful voice, unfurling his wings as she backed away from his sudden outburst. It was very unlike him, but his rage seemed… built up. "If I didn't care, then why'd I go through the trouble for you to leave without a scratch, more so on my mistake now? And other times when you're hurt and alone, why am I taking my time to watch you and care for you? And with how some dragons think you're snobbish and on your high horse waiting on a hero like Spyro?"
The flame dragon growled and cornered his friend up against the tree on her back. She sank her claws within the bark, feeling powerless and for once silenced. "That's why most male dragons are ditching you, because of your infatuation and think they have no chance, and just ignore you. Why am I still sticking to you from thick and thin, when you get a mere cut as a hatchling and I lick it to when you suddenly toss yourself on me only a week ago because of some male who treated you terribly?! What a way to show some gratitude, even to something like this and even to me, your best friend!" he shouted with a newfound fury. All his jealousy stacking over the years like a tower finally yielded and crumbled to a pile of pale disappointment and stony discouragement.
Maybe it won't go remotely close to what I wanted. Being a friend and not getting the message through her, and now her treating me like this… Flame somberly assumed, trying to suppress any chokes in his voice as he stared down at the water from the nearby river. Ember slumped weakly on her belly and buried her face between her forepaws, trying to take all this in. Sure she was ungrateful of the mere mistake, but she valued him highly, even being one of the last dragons to care for her. Perhaps she was not as vocal and equally as receptive to him as a great friend despite trusting him most. Deep inside, she felt a claw prod slowly into her broken heart as Flame continued with his piercing and scathing words. Does he really mean it? I… I don't know who to turn to, not even my parents, but Flame, she cried softly in silence. Her crushed companion flicked his tail on the edge of the water. Not a single glance back towards her.
He stretched his wings. "Maybe I'm not worthy of you, or perhaps you're not worthy of me either. I don't care, but for all this, I'm sick of putting up with it. You don't notice me as much as I'd hope, no matter how hard I push away my own time and energy for you. I'm… I'm done with all this." he ended his ultimatum. Up on his hind legs, the flame dragon carried a mild breeze, preparing for flight. The sobs of what he felt was his unreceptive companion ceased, making his night end with more ease than expected. Taking flight, Flame hovered slightly with his hind paws a mere inch or two, ready to forget of his most troubled night yet.
Quickly, a sudden force took hold of him in place. The departing dragon flinched, feeling himself pull back slightly. The flame dragon rolled his eyes with a huff of smoke from his nostrils, and turned back. He was very well aware of the one tugging him as his head turned. Ember. The pink dragoness bit on the tip of his left wing on her hind legs. Her blue eyes coated with a saline stream of her own sadness, feeling heartbroken.
"Now what do you want?" he complained to her. Flame attempted to flap harder, but she would not let go. "What, you want me to stick around so you may keep your status of not being some loner in front of all the dragons? Forget it, and forget me." The dragoness shook her head, and tried to pull harder, "It's not about that at all! I would never." she tried to reason with him. "I… I didn't realize it at first, but you're right!"
The flame dragon ceased his resistance. He cracked a grin, finally being able to speak on level to her. Finally she'd try to look into a light like Flame's, and perhaps understand him. "Yes, we were great friends as hatchlings. Play dates and digging up gems here and there. And them hanging out as good friends since you're such a good support. Though, I'm so sorry; I probably keep leaving you in the dust. Day after day… I can just… actually imagine how it feels, being ignored by someone who you'd want to just look you in the eye, and admit your true feelings, only to be shunned away by that other. Flame, I've been such an idiot before, clinging on to Spyro. And more of an idiot for not valuing you any higher but just as a friend."
Ember took a deep breath to calm down, and wiped a few of her flooding tears from her eye with her wing. Her childhood laid his head beside hers, very close to making contact. "Do you mean it…? Ember?" he simply asked, expecting the answer of hers to seal the deal on her response. With his wings he arched it forward on the softened tips to brush away more of her tears with ease. "It's been like this for me for years, kinda like your situation."
She simply nodded. "With all my heart, Flame." she confirmed and leaned her head on his. "I promise I'll treat you much better, much like how you have for me." Flame's grin curved into a genuine smile, and draped his wing around her like a hug in which she followed along immediately. "Th-Thank you, Ember. It truly means a lot now that you know how it's like to be me after so many long and dreary years by your side." he whispered softly to the side of her head.
She simply nodded, feeling the warmth of his breath against her neck. The advance was very odd in retrospect, since he was usually more playful like this night. She let it slide; perhaps he would be more endearing and caring, she thought. A thought clicked deeply in her mind. Flame was in a situation like hers, having another to love who cannot deliver that love back. I believe that's me, that gem of his eye… she pensively thought. The years of shoving him aside, when really he had a deep interest in her. Maybe even deeper than I'd expect.
Their embrace ended as they lowered on all fours once again. "Ember, why the long face?" The dragoness blushed. "What do you mean long? Are you trying to imply I'm some mare pouting?"
The fire dragon shook his head with a cheery laugh, and slid his paw under her head. "No, Emmy. Just you. You seem more happy than you usually are – not that you're not happy other times I see you, but…" he retreated his paw, trying to avoid hitting a nerve with his joke. Instead Ember clasped his paw, and put it back under her maw again. "Well, I guess so. Maybe it's because I just didn't think of you too highly until now." she giggled and nuzzled against him wither her snout.
"Anyway, feel free to stay, really." Ember insisted with a smile, and brushed her tail against his side. "I don't mind; I'm just trying to clear my thoughts and relax a bit here. And you're not too bad for some company, even in a time like mating season. It would be nice not to be alone in a time like this after all…" Though, can he be romantic rather than protective and caring as usual? Not that I would mind. I'm more relieved that same Flame is beside me as usual.
Flame nodded, and quietly nestled on his haunches beside Ember, placing his tail beside hers. "Sure thing. It's what friends are for – not sure about mating season, though, but yeah. Of course, Ember…" The dragon took a gander down below and between his own legs. What was once that heaviness was finally reduced back to normal.
Finally, she took a brief cough from the serious conversation. "So, you mentioned your extra credit, right? I mean, I'm positively sure you're just yanking my chain. You can't forget your belongings so easily, even for something like this, Flame." she laughed. Her laughter slowed and appeared more forced.
The fire dragon again reverted to his previous and ghastly look. "I… I actually did not bring it and I'm so sorry that–"
The dragoness groaned, and facepawed herself. "Of course you did… Next thing you know you'd forget your horns if they weren't attached to you." She slid her tail around. The tail-tip of a heart nestling atop Flame's in the form of a spade. "No matter. I'll remind you first thing tomorrow morning."
Flame beamed, "Well, thanks! And well, they are attached, silly." Ember rolled her eyes. He's a silly dragon, but he's my silly dragon, she mused to herself with a warm smile across her maw, and lay beside him. Perhaps, just maybe… I'll give him a chance, if he does so wishes…
A little bonus chapter, except it's not like it's just added purely to apologize from a lack of posts. A friend pitched an idea to better Flame, and since he's boyish and silly, he might as well face jealousy and be a bit more proud than usual. "The Dragon Knight", thanks!
Considering Chapter 2 was originally longer and held more, Chapter 3 here is the endpoint of the original Chapter 2 so nothing is really neglected nor left alone completely.
Now then, I hope to finish all this before this blazing summer ends, right before any heat dies down! *ba-dum-tssh!* No worries; I will actually post; I feel 5 or 6 chapters will be it; I intended for this as a side-project, but maybe my first lemon deserves more love (and actual love-making in a chapter or two…). So I might make it still a lemon story, but no actual plot and adventure besides the two fire dragons. Stay tuned, and catch you in the flipside, everyone!