Chapter 5: Dragon's Worries

Gosha was very fond of his newfound friend.

In fact, he never once met such a creature such as her who opened his heart the same way Toki had 36 years ago. But after her death followed by Leano's, he focused on raising his only grandson and making the best of his remaining life.

He wasn't going to go back to those days when he was young and foolish.

But lately, the Komodo dragon wondered what was wrong with his human companion. After their soft moment at the library, she became distant. She still met him at their usual meeting point, attend the hybrid kindergarten with enthusiasm, but she immediately leaves before he could say something.

Did he do something that made her avoid him?

A part of him wanted to accept the fact that she saw him as how everyone does: a venomous monster. But, another wanted to fight those thoughts and find out what's bothering her. That would be something a good friend would have done.

Since today was his day-off, he decided to head straight to the library to wait for her. Besides returning the books he had borrowed for the kindergarten, he had a paperback of two buns he bought from a convince store with a carton of banana-flavoured milk. After trying the fried bananas she brought the other day, he couldn't get enough of them!

But lately, she smiled politely and greeted him with a bow.

'Balqis, please talk to me,' he silently pleaded, waiting for her at their usual sitting spot with the bag by his side. However after two hours, no sign of the young human that captivated his interest. With a glum expression, Gosha decided to visit his late wife and daughter's grave. He hoped that would clear his misplaced judgement.

Maybe acting upon his heart was a mistake.

He never regretted marrying Toki, nor having Leano for a daughter despite their distant relationship due to their species. He wished he could do better and move on. His grandson, turned out to be more like him than his late mother. His last meeting with him was during his announcement of being engaged to a cute dwarf rabbit named Haru.

Never had he been more proud to see his young pup being happy with someone he loves.

But now he wondered if Balqis' presence was a fleeting joy, just as how most youngsters would call 'hooking up'. No, Gosha will not jump into conclusions until he could see it for himself.

...

At the cemetery, he placed a flower on Leano's grave before offering a prayer. He wished her a good evening and talked about his day, reminiscing about her school years and how Legosi was doing. His venom seeps out when he got excited, but then he swallowed it up.

"Sweetheart," he rumbled, patting the gravestone. "There's...a creature that I've met for the past few months. She's a human and her name is Balqis. A mammal quite like you and your mom, but has the most beautiful green eyes and hair that reminds me of a mane. Heh, I'd say it looks better than any lion's."

The Komodo dragon smiled, leaning back to look at the stars, two were shining brightly. His expression softened when he focused back on the grave. "I like her and I'm worried about her sudden behaviour. She's a wonderful friend just as much as Yahya but..."

He opened his mouth but found himself hesitant to continue. Did he really want to find out what she thought of him? He had grown close to her. He thought of her as a companion, someone he could talk to about anything. Did he feel for her more than that? He never casts her or Toki away from his memory, and yet this woman never once mentioned him about her personal life besides the undergrounds.

Plus, venomous reptiles must be vigilant of their venom for obvious reasons!

"Leano," he spoke quietly. "Not a day goes by that I don't think of you or Toki. Especially when I see you. You remind me so much of her. I would like you to listen to what I have to say: Balqis will never replace your mother in my heart. No one will just like I don't expect anyone to replace her in yours. She is a friend that has helped me in one of my life. Leano, you are so important to me and I love you with my whole being."

Giving the gravestone another pat, he made his way down to another, which belonged to his late wife and mother to Leano. "Toki," he murmured, kneeling down to kiss the cold stone. "It's good to see you again, darling. I just visited our little girl- well, she's not a little girl anymore now, right? I believe I need to tell you about my new friend. Don't want to leave you out of it."

Giving the same prayer, he clasped his claws together to wish his late wife. Knowing his heart ached after his talk at his daughter's grave, he talked about Balqis quietly, feeling torn about the unconditional love for his family and the slow spark that was lit up whenever he was around the human. She made him feel comfortable, giving him something to look forward to in his routined life and the stories they shared from the books they have read. Not to mention, the soft gestures of holding hands and how she kissed his claw so tenderly without risking a sudden death.

God be damned, he was falling for her.

Staggering, Gosha leaned his back against the wall of the cemetery before crumbling to his knees. He could not help that he actually felt for her. "Toki, please forgive me," he whispered through tears of his own.

...

Clearing his mind, Gosha decided to walk along the beach, since no herbivores were out after sunset while most carnivores have taken solace to other means of pleasure now that the Black Market has been destroyed.

The sounds of the waves lapping on the shores while the scent of sea-breeze calmed the old Komodo dragon. When she was alive, he and Toki would walk along the beach hand-in-hand while she was pregnant with Leano. How she loved the breeze against her fur while his scales felt at ease with seawater when they went for a dip. Now that time has passed and Gosha focuses on the present. He walked until he noticed something from a distance.

A set of footprints.

Curious, he followed them until they lead to an old tree that had a trunk all curved and twisted. There weren't any flowers or fruits, so Gosha approached with caution. He finds a pile of fabric, unscathed and neatly folded. The footprints have not stopped there and he flickered his tongue out.

A familiar scent reached him. Sweet floral with hints of cinnamon at made his venom sac full. He followed the footprints that led to the sea. His eyes widened. "No..." he breathed, not caring that the oozing venom got into the sand. He thought the worst that had happened, his breathing quickened.

"Gosha?" a familiar voice snapped him from almost having a panic attack.

There, standing in the water, was the most beautiful creature his reptilian eyes have laid upon. Her black hair was slick from the wet sea, tanned skin that stood against the waves and those eyes...those green eyes that he treasured the most.

"W-what are you doing here?" she asked, lowering her body so that her head and shoulders were only visible. Feeling embarrassed, Gosha raised both of his hands in protest. "I-I wasn't expecting you to be here. Where have you been? I was worried about you when you didn't show up at the library."

He wanted to step into the water but then stopped. The human's eyes were wide with fear and it pains him that he doesn't know how to help. He always practiced on being a pacifist after all. So, he turned around to give her a little privacy as he heard her swimming up to shore. Gosha took a quick peak and his venom almost poured out while he felt a tightness in his pants.

Bare skin, those supple mounds with water dripping down and those curves from her hips when she walked, it was stirring something within him. He remembered a few things during his school years of learning about humans and their purpose in this society. One of those purposes was to bear children from beasts no matter the species. Breaking out of his sudden urges, the Komodo dragon followed her from behind, trying to dismiss the primal lust that might cloud his judgement.

"Were you followed?" her question surprised him. Was this the reason for her distant behaviour?

"No. I don't think most beasts would be out at this hour, let alone know of this spot with the strangled tree. Balqis, did something happen?" he asked, watching her wrapped herself in one of the fabrics. "Did I...do something wrong?"

Balqis immediately turned her head back and shook her head. Now dressed up, she walked towards him. "No! Gosha, you didn't do anything wrong. I wanted to see you again but someone who knows you told me to stay away. He would come after me if he finds me spending time with you. I love y- your company ever since we met."

Her green eyes met his, filled with such tenderness that made the old Komodo dragon smile.

Gosha's venom sac began to drip. Who could have- 'Oh...I will have a word with him,' he vowed to himself, keeping his anger in check to not frighten her. She was already close to him but she hesitated just by how her hand looked like it wanted to reach out to him.

"Do you trust me?" he asked quietly, kneeling down where one knee touched the soft sand. He mimicked her gesture by extending his clawed hand out. Slowly, both hands touched with his large one closing onto hers.

"With all my heart, Gosha," she answered, a shy smile spreads on her lips.

Why are they dancing around this and not get straight to the point- oh wait! Heh, I get it now!