The next day, midway through the morning, the purple dragon found himself knocking on Cynder's door. The black dragoness appeared surprised when she opened the door, but kept a smile on her face. "Hey, Spyro! Wasn't expecting you to show up!" she exclaimed.
"Sorry for arriving so suddenly, Cynder. I just have something I want to talk to you about," the purple dragon explained.
Cynder's smile faded slightly, returning to something a bit more neutral, even slightly downcast. "Huh, I have something I want to talk to you about as well," she replied, her nervousness and distress evident from her voice. "Come in. No better time than now when we're both wanting to talk to get some things off our chest."
The couple walked in, making themselves comfortable in Cynder's lounge room, lying on her couch. A few awkward moments of silence went by, before Spyro broke it. "I uh… I wanted to talk to you about yesterday. It didn't feel like you were doing too well," he explained, his voice soft with concern. "What's going on?"
Cynder chuckled drily. "Well, yesterday was also what I wanted to talk to you about," she replied. "I just, uh… I don't know; I haven't been… feeling like myself over the past few days. Every time I wake up I feel grumpy, I can't seem to get any happiness out of painting at the moment, and I had to try my very hardest not to snap at my friends. It all started happening the day after our date and I'm worried. I feel like I'm turning into something I'm not, and I don't know why."
"Could it be just… I don't know, stress? Tiredness? I know you get rather grumpy when you're tired. Maybe you're overworking yourself on the painting?"
"No, it's not that. I've felt extremely tired and overworked before, and this doesn't feel like it. It's not a mental thing. It feels almost… deeper. Spiritual almost. I feel like I'm changing. And I don't know what… or who… could be doing this to me."
The black dragoness shuffled closer to Spyro, burying her face in his neck and nuzzling him, reaching up and holding him firmly, a paw on his chest, the other on the shoulder she was leaning against. Spyro nuzzled her back, placing a paw on her back and stroking it gently.
"I'm just scared; I've already been through enough in my life. I'm terrified something is happening to me again," Cynder murmured with a quivering voice.
"No, Cynder. Nothing is going to happen to you. You've persevered through so much in your life. You've made it through hell and back, and I've seen you do it. If you can do it once, I strongly believe you can do it again," Spyro replied, his voice rumbling in his throat, the bass tones resounding inside Cynder's ear as she rested her head against his neck. "You are one of the strongest dragons I have ever known, after everything you've been through. I know you can get through this."
"You really think so?" the black dragoness inquired.
"Of course I do! Cynder, life is full of obstacles and challenges that cause us to jump and beat them everyday. You've had more than your fair share of hurt and pain, but what I see before me is a dragoness that is resilient, beautiful and talented in every way. No matter what comes your way, you get back up. If anyone can get through this Cynder, it most certainly would be you. I'm always here for you, you know that right?"
"I know. Thank you."
"It's my pleasure. I love you, Cyn."
"I love you too, Spyro."
Spyro chuckled, opening his mouth to say more, but all control of his mouth was taken away from him as Cynder's lips pressed against his own. He melted into the kiss, returning it. He revelled in the feeling of Cynder's soft lips touching his, feeling her breath enter his mouth. Their lips parted, before meeting once more after a quick breath.
With a smack of the lips, they parted. Cynder giggled sweetly, leaning back into Spyro's warmth once more. "Every time I kiss you I swear it gets better and better," Cynder hummed.
"I agree," Spyro teased, leaning forward and placing a kiss on Cynder's forehead.
She giggled again as she recoiled. "Hey, that tickles!" she exclaimed.
At this, Spyro gave a low, humorous hum as he reached forward and kissed her on the head again. Cynder started laughing, pushing against him as she let out little squeals between each laugh. The purple dragon held her firmly, kissing her again on the forehead, before moving down to her cheek. She squirmed again, her laughing getting stronger, her pleas slurred together by her laughing.
Spyro moved to her neck, causing the biggest squeal to burst from her jaws as she guffawed, tears streaming down her face as she tried to calm herself down. "Stop it please! You know I'm ticklish there!" Cynder pleaded, but Spyro just kissed her again on the neck, forcing another round of roaring laughter from her throat.
Cynder reached up, pushing her forepaws against Spyro's face, before he finally relented and pulled away. "I bet it didn't tickle when you kissed me on the lips," Spyro said with a roll of his eyes.
"Yeah, I guess you're right…" Cynder said mid-chuckle as she tried to slow her breathing again. "I bet it tickled you though."
The purple dragon blushed, raising his eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Cynder giggled again, this time with a cheeky tone, sticking her tongue out at him playfully as he tried to get over the surprise of the joke. Spyro chuckled in response, smiling at Cynder's laugh, before he nuzzled her. She returned it.
"Thanks for the talk though, Spyro. It really means a lot to me," the black dragoness murmured. "I sometimes feel bad knowing that you've had to put up with me and my troubled past for so long. It affected me and I feel like it's working its way out on you. I don't want you to wear yourself out trying to look after me."
"Cynder, you were the first friend I ever had, and on top of that, you're my girlfriend. What type of boyfriend would I be if I didn't check to make sure you were alright? What type of boyfriend would I be if I let my girlfriend remain upset when I know something is wrong?"
"Somehow I knew you were going to say something like that," Cynder said with a roll of her eyes. "So predictable."
"You know me too well, don't you?"
"What did I do to deserve you?"
"Being there for me, and being a good friend to me, but most importantly, just being yourself," Spyro replied, pausing for a bit before adding quickly, "Also you're hot."
Cynder raised an eyebrow. "Glad you think that, purple boy; the feeling is certainly mutual," she said, putting on a seductive act as she batted her eyes at him jokingly. "Just think, in a little while I'll be all yours."
Now she's trying to lure me into proposing to her, Spyro thought, catching Cynder's underlying message. I need to hurry up. Maybe I should just do it…
Too bad the ring's at home, otherwise I probably would just say stuff it and do it right now.
"Anyway, thanks Spyro," Cynder said, her voice cutting through the purple dragon's thoughts. "I'm sorry you have to keep sitting through my low moments like this, Spyro…"
"I'm sure we'll figure it out," he replied. "We'll figure this out. We're together and we have each other. I'll help you figure out what this problem is. It'll all be fine. Don't worry."
The black dragoness smiled, giving him another thanks as he leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead again, reaching up and stroking her cheeks. They moved back, sitting in a slightly awkward silence. "Anyway, I should probably get out and about for a bit just to get my mind working on something else other than what's been going on recently," Cynder said.
"Yeah, I need to go out to the markets today," Spyro said, deciding he should take another look around the markets for something to get for Cynder.
"Alright, I guess I'll see you later then," the black dragoness replied, standing up off her couch, her boyfriend following her lead. She grabbed a satchel that was sitting on the table in front of the couch, slinging it around her neck and over her shoulder.
"See you later. Have fun, Cynder," Spyro farewelled as they walked towards the front door.
Cynder replied by quickly reaching up to Spyro's head, guiding it gently towards her as she kissed him on the lips one more time. Spyro let out a mumble of contentment, returning the kiss as he stroked her lips with his. Their lips remained in their tight embrace for a little while longer, before they pulled back. Cynder opened the door, letting Spyro walk out, before she then followed, closing the door behind her. They then went their own separate ways.
The purple dragon walked back to the markets, looking at almost every store that was there, trying to find an extra item to give to Cynder. Unfortunately, he was still struggling to find something. He spent a good two hours in the markets, and after those two hours he felt drained and a little annoyed at himself that he still couldn't find anything.
All he could find that he thought Cynder would like would be more painting resources, some jewelry, or maybe even a music box that he had found, as she did like music as well, although he knew that would be way to heavy and clunky to carry around and reveal to Cynder as he proposed. The music box would've been very impractical, plus while Spyro knew it would be something Cynder would like, he didn't think it held that much extra value over the ring he'd already gotten.
Do I really need an extra item? Are the guardians right in saying that the ring and my proposal is all she needs? Is it really that simple? Spyro thought. Maybe I'm trying to prove myself too much, and do more than I need to. If… If the ring and my proposal is all I need then… then maybe I can just propose now, pretty much. I'll probably wait a few days just because it'd probably be a bit insensitive to propose to Cynder while she's so upset, but… yeah I think the guardians were right. I don't need another item. I don't. I'm perfectly fine without.
With that, a determined smile on his face, the purple dragon turned and left the market, having not spent a single coin. The first thing he did when he got home was race to his bedroom cupboard and take out the ring again, looking it over with love in his eyes. This was all he needed. Just the ring, and himself. That was all he needed to present to Cynder.
He closed his eyes, his smile now one of longing, imagining Cynder wearing the ring on her talon. Cynder's beauty filled his mind, causing his cheeks to heat up. He couldn't wait to spend the rest of his life with her. The moment was getting closer now. He could almost feel it coming. The moment where she would say 'yes' and their fate as lifelong soulmates would be sealed.
Spyro raised the ring to his lips, kissing it gently, before putting it back in its case in the cupboard, keeping it safe. He sighed, before his blissful thoughts were interrupted by the growling of his stomach. The purple dragon mumbled, knowing that he hadn't eaten lunch yet.
The purple dragon made his way out to his kitchen, beginning to make himself some lunch, carefully roasting some pork ribs and creating some spicy marinade to go with it. He loved a bit of spice, enjoying the feeling of fire in his mouth. He did wield the fire element, so he figured it made it easier for him to handle, and something he could enjoy a bit more, being so used to that heat in his maw.
He finished preparing his food and began eating it, savouring every bite he took, relishing the taste of the ribs marinated in the hot, spicy sauce. He devoured his food quickly, before grabbing a book and beginning to read it. He'd only read through two pages before loud knocking at his door interrupted him. Confused, and slightly shocked from the sudden loud noise grating through his quiet reading, he got up and answered the door.
Spyro's heart sank to see Cynder standing in front of him, a heavy frown on her face, looking as if she was trying to hold in tears. The purple dragon quickly stepped back to let her through, and with a relieved, shaking sigh, she rushed in. Spyro closed the door, looking at Cynder with worry on his face, and as soon as he locked eyes with her, her emotional barriers broke as the tears slowly began to flow.
"Honey, what happened?" Spyro questioned soothingly, rushing towards her and wrapping his wings protectively around her.
"I… I don't know…" she murmured.
"Is this about what happened yesterday? Is it related to the talk we had this morning?"
"Yes… kind of… I don't know."
"Let's go sit down," Spyro said, guiding Cynder gently to the couch to sit down, allowing Cynder to snuggle up next to him again as his wing hung around her shoulders. "Now, what's wrong Cynder? Is everything alright?"
"I… I went out for lunch with my friends. I decided I wanted to go and see them again, you know, to help settle my nerves and just be with my friends," Cynder started, trying to hold back her tears. "It started out fine but about halfway through lunch I started getting snappy and I'm worried I upset my friends.
"Darii just laid her eggs two nights ago, and she didn't show up so she could recover from it, and I got upset and thought for some reason that she didn't like me and didn't show up for lunch because of that, which I know is absolutely stupid. But I got into a big argument with Ruby and Ra'félin about it, and I think I hurt them. Some things were said that probably shouldn't have, especially from me.
"I feel like a terrible person. I don't know what's wrong with me. All these mood swings… sometimes I feel like myself, and sometimes I feel like someone else. Sometimes I see and then I don't see at all. Everything just goes by in a blur and I just… do. I don't think."
Spyro nodded slowly, taking all the information in. "I wish I knew what was going on with you Cynder. I want to help," he murmured, stroking her gently.
"So do I. I want to know what's going on with me as well," Cynder replied. "I don't have any explanation as to what could be going on. I've heard plenty of people say that being gravid causes mood swings, but I'm not… I… we haven't… I haven't… you know, mated… There's no way I could possibly be gravid if I haven't even done the act to get me gravid in the first place, so… I'm just… so confused. What explanation could there be behind my problem?"
"I don't know," Spyro said. "But I'm here for you, Cynder. If you want to talk, I'm here. You can come and talk to me at any time. I love you Cynder, so I will be there for you."
Cynder nuzzled Spyro, snuggling closer to him as her tears finally began to stop. "Thank you, Spyro. I'm just so confused and scared right now. I have no idea what's going on," she breathed, trying to control her emotions. "Thank you so much. You're an amazing boyfriend. You put up with so much from me and I wish I could provide the same support to you. You just support me, no matter what, whether I've given you back the same amount of support or only just a little. I love you."
"It's perfectly fine, Cynder. I just want to see you happy and alright. I'll do anything to see you in a good headspace."
Cynder hummed in gratitude, before she took in large, deep breaths to calm herself down. Spyro could tell that Cynder was clearly a bit guilty for always being so emotional around him, but he didn't mind. She was his everything, and she'd already been through enough torment in her life. She didn't need any more than she already had dealt with.
Spyro nuzzled Cynder, and she returned it, another hum rumbling from her throat, this time out of contentment. He reached up with a talon and wiped her eyes, still wet from the tears she had shed.
He was caught off guard as Cynder piped up again. "I… I'll be honest, I never expected to ever be worthy of a boyfriend, yet here I am. It's kinda funny isn't it?" she murmured, half chuckling. "I'd never known what love was until after the war, or properly at least. Even after five years of learning what it was, both before our relationship and during it alongside you, I'm still not fully grasping the idea of it. I still don't believe I'm worthy of it. But everything you do for me just… it makes me feel special, and almost like I do deserve it.
"I know you're willing to help me with everything you do and with everything you have, but I fear my problems are going to be too much for you. I don't want that to be the case. I know you want me happy and mentally well but I don't want it to be at your own cost where you become upset and affected by my problems.
"So please, if it is getting too much for you, let me know. Let me know so I can get help from someone maybe more qualified. Even the guardians would have a bit more wisdom and experience. This isn't that I don't appreciate what you do, because I do; I just don't want you to be affected. Please, promise me you'll let me know if it's getting too much."
"I… o-o-okay, Cynder," Spyro stuttered hesitantly. "I will."
"I know you say I'm strong-willed and that I've made it through so much, but I also understand that you've been through a lot too. I can't imagine seeing me like this is easy for you. I mean, I don't think anyone likes seeing people upset unless they are a sadist or hate other people, but I know with all the violence and hurt you were exposed to, especially from my side, I know you don't like seeing me upset. So again, thank you for what you do for me. I love you, Spyro. I really do."
Spyro murmured in acknowledgement, nuzzling Cynder again, before kissing her on the cheek. She giggled in amusement again as the motion tickled her, but Spyro didn't think now was the right time to smother her with tickling kisses on the cheek like earlier this morning. One was enough.
Cynder took a deep breath, wiping her eyes again and wriggling out of Spyro's embrace to stand. "Anyway, I might go now. I should probably find Ruby and Ra'félin and apologise to them. I know they were rather upset," she said.
"Alright, Cyn. Hope it goes well. Good luck," Spyro replied.
"Thanks. See you later, Spyro."
Spyro stood, seeing Cynder to the door and opening it for her, being the gentledragon he was. He sighed as she left, closing the door. She was having it tough right now. He wished there was more he could do for her. He'd spent the past five years looking after her and being there for her when she was down and upset, oftentimes caused by being haunted by her past.
But… this was different somehow. Spyro had never heard of anyone… changing… the way she described it. It was almost as if she was a completely different person when she had those outbursts, according to what she said. Such negative emotions shouldn't come out of nowhere, so what was causing it?
As silly as Cynder's gravid comment sounded, especially given the fact that she had never mated before, it was a good assumption, given that they'd both heard of many dragonesses becoming grumpier and more demanding while they were gravid. Hell, Cynder had even experienced it firsthand from her friend Darii, who'd been gravid for the past few weeks and, according to Cynder, had only just laid her eggs two days ago.
But she was also right in the fact that they hadn't mated, so she couldn't possibly be gravid. Of course there was the chance that an egg she could be carrying wasn't his, but Spyro knew Cynder. She wouldn't go off and mate with some other dragon while she was still in a relationship with Spyro. She was a loyal dragoness, Spyro knew that much for a fact. She even said herself that she had never mated before.
So what could be causing this? If it wasn't being gravid, what was it? Stress? Workload? Was something worrying her? If so, what? Were people saying stuff about her again? Were people still reprimanding her and calling her 'Terror of the Skies'?
Spyro hoped not; he'd thought that was long behind everyone in Warfang. The issues had stopped about two years ago. If anyone was talking about Cynder like that again now, then they had a good pummeling coming their way. No one would talk about Cynder that way ever again. Spyro would make sure about that.
He knew it was probably a silly assumption to make, but right now any of those questions could be valid answers. He didn't know what was wrong with Cynder, and he definitely wasn't spending one hundred percent of his time with Cynder so he didn't know if she was still being called 'Terror of the Skies'. However if she did, Spyro knew she would tell him. The thought jumped in his head that maybe he should spend one hundred percent of his time with her, but that was impractical, and could come across as clingy and creepy. Cynder was still a person and deserved her personal space and some time away from people. Just because they were in a relationship didn't mean they had to be there every second of every waking hour.
Spyro groaned. He didn't know what to do to help her. This was something very new and very unusual. Perhaps it would be a good idea to ask the guardians for their advice. They were old and wise, and each of them had mates, except Cyril. Terrador and Volteer would know how to comfort their significant others and look after them.
The purple dragon looked out the window. It was still mid-afternoon. Hopefully the guardians weren't in classes and they were at the Warfang Temple. He felt this was something he needed to ask now.
He quickly made his way to the Warfang Temple. He went to the meeting room, deciding to check it first. He sighed when he saw Volteer was inside. The electric guardian looked towards Spyro with confusion on his face, before he walked towards the purple dragon. "Good afternoon, Spyro. What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Well, Master Volteer, I have a question…"
"Ah nevermind that," Volteer piped up quickly, missing Spyro's short mumble and talking over the top of him. "I was conversing with Terrador and Cyril about your exceptional performance at the Academy while tutoring those youngsters, and we conjured the proposal that you could take the aforementioned group tomorrow in another class, if that's in agreement with you."
"I, uh… Well yes I'd be glad to, Master Volteer, but I also…"
"That's great! Wonderful! Astounding! Be sure to arrive first thing in the morning! Now I have a class to arrive at, and I am not very keen, eager, interested in being late. Those pesky, raucous teenage dragons love to poke fun and criticism whenever they get the chance. I much preferred your cohort, Spyro," Volteer said quickly. "Anyway, I'll see you then, Spyro. We'll be continuing where we left off last lesson."
With that, Volteer walked off speedily. Spyro sighed sadly. He knew it was not Volteer's intention to ignore him like that. He was just in a rush, and with his talkative nature, of course he was going to butt in early when he received the response he wanted. Maybe Terrador would be a better person to ask, or at least to wait until a calmer time where Volteer wasn't already so energised and rushed.
He sighed again, before making his way to the guardians' bedrooms, knocking carefully to announce his presence, just in case Terrador and Cyril were in their rooms. No response; they were still in classes or busy with other matters. He doubted he was going to get any help today.
With a frustrated groan, he turned and left the Warfang Temple, his wings drooping against his sides and his tail dragging against the ground. He'd just wanted some assistance on how he could help Cynder.
Spyro made his way home, spending the rest of the afternoon and night reading and thinking about Cynder, upset that he couldn't figure out how to help her more. This whole situation was very different to anything that had ever happened so far involving Cynder, and Spyro was beginning to get worried.
New chapter done! Hope everyone enjoyed it, and be sure to leave your feedback in a review!
Honestly I just hope you're all enjoying Grand Elemental Master as a whole; it's been a really difficult story to write so I really hope the effort and struggle has been paying off. On top of that, uni work's been stressing me out and procrastination hasn't been helping either, and I also kinda got an ear infection recently (in both ears) so yeah, that's been fun I guess... Other than that I'm doing fine lol.
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TARDIS1039: I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter, and yes something is very much wrong with Cynder haha. How was this chapter for you?
Az0tAc: Thanks for the review man! Happy you're liking how I've written Spyro. Glad to know I'm getting something right haha.
Derick Lindsey: Thanks for the review as always, and I'm sure Spyro's happy to hear he did well teaching. Also glad you liked how Cyril was outed for still being single haha. Also the pregnant comment you made for Cynder? I didn't think about that and not the intention I wanted to give off haha, but hey, you gave me something else to put in this chapter lol.
Also thanks for the birthday wish; spent the day playing Jackbox Games with my friends so I did enjoy my birthday quite a bit despite being stuck at home haha.
Dragon of Mystery: Inner Ignitus haha; I honestly didn't think of that lol. I guess it kinda makes sense though given that Ignitus was such a big role model in Spyro's life, and he's kinda taken after him in becoming a teacher. Also really happy you thought the teaching scene was your favourite scene; that was one I spent ages struggling to write haha. And yes, we all need a bit of cute happy scenes after Demonised haha (this story has been a good break for me as well lol).
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Thanks everyone for all the reviews, and stay safe! Hope everyone's going well in their isolation or quarantine or whatever the heck you're all in lol. Also another huge thanks to Just Shooter and MysticOTDH for beta-reading (especially Mystic this time around, who really helped me with the romance sections lol). I'll see you around for the next chapter!