Crash into me:
Disclaimer: I do not own Glee … or a dragon
Chapter 2:
The darkening of the sky as the sun fell was the only sign of time passing as Kurt flew above the clouds on the back of Niveus. Occasionally they would duck back under the clouds so Kurt could keep them headed towards the mountain, before rising back in the air. Once the sky reached a dark grey, Kurt directed Niveus back under the cloud cover. Together they flew over the tree tops while Kurt scanned the earth below them.
Finding an open meadow Kurt patted the side of Niveus' neck, "Slow down, I think we should stop soon." On cue Niveus slowed the motion of her wings and crept closer to the ground, the small movements of Kurt's hands on her neck directing her movements until she landed in a snowy meadow by the base of a cliff.
Sliding off Niveus Kurt leant most his weight on her side until he could work the stiffness from his limbs. It was eerily silent on the ground. Gone was the constant rush of air past his ears and beat of Niveus' wings. In its place was the soft sound of snow falling on snow and the occasional rustle of branches moving in synch.
Kurt walked around and kissed Niveus' forehead when she ducked her head, both their breath mixing into a small cloud around them. "Well I guess we should find somewhere to sleep." Kurt said aloud, cringing at the way his voice broke the silence around them. It was hard to see anything clearly considering a blanket of snow covered everything in sight as more flakes fell steadily.
Deciding that a sleeping place was the most important thing, Kurt walked towards the rocky cliff, Niveus following behind him, her tail leaving a trail in the snow. He walked the length of the cliff looking around as his hand ran against the side of the stone. After heading a little further down the face, but still close enough that he could see the meadow, Kurt found an alcove in the solid rock. It was big enough for a few people and with Niveus sleeping outside it would be plenty safe.
Feeling curious Niveus stuck her head into the alcove and bumped Kurt with her nose, he took it was her approval. Kurt brushed snow from his jacket and was about to bend down to start brushing the snow from the floor of the small cave when Niveus butted him again.
"Hey, what are you doing?" He said trying to push her head away but she continued. He stood up and placed his hands on his hips, "What?" She snorted and pressed her head to his chest pushing him back out of the cave. Too tired to really ask any more questions –which his dragon couldn't answer anyway- Kurt let himself be moved until he was back behind Niveus' wing. She bopped the top of his head before turning back towards the cave and blowing a stream of fire right into the heart of it.
Instinctively Kurt brought his arms over his face before he realized Niveus' wing was in front of him and he was tucked back behind her body enough that the smoke and heat didn't quite reach him. With an overwhelming sense of awe and love for his dragon, Kurt rested his head against her side until she seemed content with her work.
Eyes bright and with what Kurt considered her signature grin, Niveus stepped aside and nudged Kurt forward to inspect the cave. Sure enough, it was completely dry.
"Thanks girl." Kurt reached up to run his hands down her cheek while her eyes closed, a small puff of air leaving her nostrils. "I'm going to set up camp so you should go find something to eat, okay?"
Niveus tilted her head and shifted on her feet, it was enough for Kurt to feel her uneasiness.
"I'll be fine, just don't go too far." She stared at him for a second before pressing her nose to his chest and clambering away. With a heavy sigh and the reality of being alone and far from his family sinking in, Kurt set down his pack and walked out of the cave to collect some wood. Bending down he brushed the snow from a few fallen branches humming quietly to himself. A ways off he could hear Niveus moving around the forest.
By the time Niveus returned Kurt had a decent pile of sticks and branches collected, all placed in a pile just inside the entrance to the cave. He was just lying out the blanket from his pack when Niveus stuck her head in and nudged his shoulder.
"Hey," Kurt said happily, not looking up as he continued to lay out the blanket. Agitated, Niveus tried again, a small whine rising from her throat. The sound startled Kurt and he looked up to see her large eyes sad. "What's wrong?"
Niveus whined again and backed out of the cage moving her head to the side towards something in the forest and then back to Kurt who hadn't moved, confused by his dragon's behavior.
"Is there something out there?" He asked rising to his feet and pulling his scarf back up. The light outside was fading with each passing moment and Kurt was hesitant to trek back out into the unknown forest.
Thrashing her head from side to side Niveus moved back further from the cave and headed towards the trees on the right of the cave. She stopped and huffed, making a louder whining sound until Kurt started to follow her.
"Okay! Okay!" He drew his coat in closer and ran towards Niveus until he was by her side. Matching his step with hers Kurt followed his dragon, looking back every now and then until he could barely see the meadow through the trees. Just when he was starting to get nervous Niveus stopped by the side of a tree. She bumped Kurt with her wing to get his attention before reaching her head forward and nudging something under the tree.
Walking forward, Kurt's breath caught in his throat when he realized it was a person, curled up into a tight ball at the base of the tree. Niveus continued to nudge the person, blowing warm air until all the snow in a five foot radius had melted away. Keeping one hand on Niveus' neck as a point of contact Kurt stepped forward, kneeling down.
Through the darkness Kurt could see it was a boy, probably the same age as he was. A mass of curls poked out from the fur lined hood covering half his head.
"Hello?" Kurt whispered, but only the sound of Niveus fidgeting next to him was heard.
"Can you hear me?" He tried again a little louder, reaching out to shake the boy's shoulder.
Watching closely Kurt saw the boy's eyes scrunch together, followed by a small whimper, fading quickly into the silence.
Kurt and Niveus turned to look at each other with wide eyes in a way that would have been comical in any other situation. "Oh my god." Kurt breathed out before looking back to the boy.
Taking off his mitten and setting it in the snow beside his thigh, Kurt reached forward until his bare finger brushed against the skin of the boy. It was cold -much too cold- Kurt noted and he uncurled his fingers until he was practically cupping the boy's cheek with his hand.
Unsure if it was the heat from Niveus and his hand, or his voice, Kurt watched as the boy's eyes flickered open locking with his own.
AN: Thank you to everyone who reviewed, I love hearing your thoughts :)