Subaru Natsuki is not a hero. If he's being honest, he doesn't really know what he is. At least, not while he's here.
Here's what he does know, however: chronic NEET dropout, entertainment connoisseur of all types (name an anime or game, and he'll know it), and self-proclaimed guardian, champion, and defender of the noble Natsuki homestead.
In short, Subaru Natsuki is definitely, most certainly, not a hero. In fact, a more accurate title would be, perhaps:"little punk on the verge of flunking high school and living with his parents forever."
Of course, all of this assumes we're even talking about the same Subaru Natsuki. And honestly? He can't even saythatfor sure. It's hard to know anything for certain when you wake up in a dark, damp tower in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by people who look like they've been ripped straight from a JRPG, their faces brimming with concern as they stare at you like you're some kind of rare collectible. At least the loli and the silver-haired one were nice to look at; a small but welcome blessing in a messed-up situation like this.
Now, under any other circumstance, Subarumighthave been fine with this. He could have coasted through this absurdity with his usual carefree attitude, if not for one tiny, annoying detail. They, these strangers, they kept calling him…
A hero?
Now, as already mentioned, Subaru doesn't see himself as a hero. But these people, especially the beautiful elf girl and the smug knight guy, kept repeating, nayinsistingit like it was an undeniable truth. When he tried to explain that they had the wrong guy, pointing out the obvious facts that he hadno ideawho they even were, it all went right over their candy-colored heads. And to make things evenmoreconfusing, they then started saying something about he'd lost his memory or something like that, andthatwas why he couldn't recall any of his supposed "heroic deeds" or his "cherished companions."
It didn't take long for their attitudes to take a shift. In such a dangerous place such as this, Subaru couldn't blame them for wanting to take a step back. They didn't voice it all outright, of course; better to keep their cards close to their chests. But Subaru could still feel the change in their demeanor, the questioning glint in their eyes whenever their gazes would fall upon him. The mounting pressure only worsened the swirling feeling of dread in his chest, the questions, the desperation.
Where was he?
Who were these people?
What did they want from him?
No one had ever expected anything from him before; not his teachers, not his classmates, not even his parents. And now, suddenly, he was being told by strangers, in a crumbling fantasy tower in another universe, that he wastheirsavior, their trump card in a gamble of life and dead, the guding star destined to lead them to victory.
And that wasn't even to mention the… other issue at play. Subaru could have… sworn he'd been here before. Not just in the vague, "déjà vu" sense; no, it was deeper than that. Flashes of pain and visions of blood filled his thoughts, like a nightmare stuck in an endless loop. He couldn't make sense of it, but the memories felt visceral, embedded in his skin, coursing through his veins.
He needed to get away. Away from the pressure. Away from the pain. No kid should have to endure this much right from the start, right? He just needed a moment alone, a chance to escape everything happening both inside and out. A place where he could sort through his thoughts and try to piece together his fragmented memories.
Fortunately for Subaru, he knew exactly where he needed to go. On the fourth floor of the tower, tucked between the towering bookshelves etched with the books of the departed, lay a certain room. The Green Room, as it was named, and indeed it truly lived up to the welcoming title; a rare sanctuary in what was otherwise a decrepit tomb. True to its name, the room's ancient walls were covered in overgrown vines, while emerald patches of grass sprouted between the cracks in the stone floor. It was a pocket of tranquility amidst chaos, and Subaru found himself returning to it time and time again.
This time, however, he wasn't seeking it out just for peace. He had a purpose. There was someone he needed to see; the only "person" in this place he felt he could trust and confide in.
Not that they were a person, per se. For in actuality, they were…
A dragon. A ground dragon.
He was on the move in an instant. He took a cautious glance around to ensure no one was following him. He darted between the sprawling hallways and bookshelves as he climbed his way towards his destination, until he at last he found himself standing in front of a pair of large double doors, a faint glow seeping from the slit at the bottom painting his shoes in a shimmering glow. The boy let out a nervous sigh, steeling himself as he pushed the doors aside and stepped into the glowing green light ahead. Immediately, he felt a soothing warmth spread through his body, the air itself seeming to ease the aching tension in his muscles.
The sight waiting for him only amplified that sense of relief. Lying on the soft grass was a massive creature, her powerful tail swaying lazily in the air as she lounged in the peaceful atmosphere, her golden eyes shut closed in contentment. Subaru couldn't help but smile at the sight, his heart leaping in his chest as he took a tentative step into the grass. At the sound of Subaru's approach, a lone eye cracked opened, soon joined by another as the dragon lifted her head slightly, her focus now entirely trained on him. A low, happy trill escaped her throat as Subaru stopped just a few feet ahead.
"…Hey there, girl. Missed me?"
The dragon offered what could only be described as a smile, her tail thumping the ground in excitement. She shifted slightly, making room for him beside her. Subaru smiled in return, settling down against her tough scales as she stretched out, her powerful body now wrapped around him protectively as they sat together in silence.
Patrasche was a true enigma to Subaru; a perfect blend of both the terrifying and the captivating. She exuded primal strength and agility, befitting of her species, but also possessed a pronounced motherly side, especially when things came down to the wire; always there to support him, no matter what, even when he felt like he was at his lowest. Majestic, he would say. Through his short time living in this world, through the memory loss and the horrors he had endured, Patrasche had been a constant. A steadfast, scaly guardian of light piercing through the darkness of the Pleiades Watchtower, ready to do everything and anything to push their mission forward. Subaru couldn't have been more grateful. He always tried to show his appreciation, even if it earned him an exasperated pout from the twirly-haired toddler later. Patrasche was worth it. She always was.
And now, he really needed her now more than ever. He could feel it in the air. Something was reaching its breaking point. And the end result likely wouldn't be pretty. He couldn't say why he felt this way, but he knew it to be true.
He needed to let this off his chest. Even if he would regret it later.
"You enjoying yourself here, girl?" Subaru surmised, his hand idly stroking her head as the dragon purred in delight. "I'll be honest with you, Patrasche. Things aren't looking so good out there. It's getting… uh… pretty tense."
Patrasche's gaze fell to the floor, acknowledging the situation with subdued energy. What with the trials, Shaula, Reid von Astrea, and now Subaru's memory loss, it seemed as though there was one problem piling on after another. No one had any answers, and progress was frustratingly slow. The question now was how this fiasco would conclude itself; either total victory or total death lay at the end now.
"Patrasche… I have no idea what's going on here. I feel so lost, like I'm in the middle of a vicious storm on nothing but a flimsy raftboat. I don't know where I am, who any of these people are, what I'm supposed to do. Hell, I'm starting to even question whoIam, as a matter of fact."
Patrasche tilted her head in curiosity, a questioning hum on her lips as she listened carefully to his words.
"I mean, like, everyone is telling me about how I'm some great hero or some other, how I'm the key to conquering this tower and keeping everyone alive. I'm a nobody, Patrasche! I'm some hopeless shut-in loser who threw away his future 'cause he couldn't live up to the pressure. I'm on the verge of flunking high school for pete's sake! Why would anyone ever expect anything from me?I don't get any of it!"
Patrasche's face morphed into a sad frown, the ground dragon nuzzling his cheek with a mother touch, clearly able to see the bubbling anguish behind the boy's cracking facade.
"Maybe I was someone that people could up to, before… this. But, I have a hard time believing I could do even afractionof what they say I've done. I wish I could be that person for them, I really do, but…"
Subaru trailed off, growing exhausted with the words that were going nowhere. Through all of this, Patrasche stayed entirely silent, her attention laser focused on his words and struggles, which Subaru felt a welling of gratitude for. She really did care for him and wanted to keep him on the straight and narrow, something that warmed Subaru's heart to no end.
He considered it, then. It was a random, almost impulsive action. But Subaru was feeling so serene at the moment he wasn't paying attention. He turned towards the ground dragon, her head turning slightly in curiosity. He smiled, his mouth opening slightly to move on to a topic that he was…
He stopped. No, it wasn't just a stop. It was a hard stop. A freeze. Time itself seemed to twist and turn in that moment, a deep burst of the darkest shadow clawing over his skin and into his heart, a bulging sense of dread creeping up his spine, a warning of the highest degree of the few seconds that were to elapse if he so much as moved…
And then, just as quickly, it was gone. Subaru let out a hard gasp, a cold sweat seeping down his hair and across his skin. Patrasche sprang into action immediately, a worried expression on her face as she held the boy steady, her eyes scanning his with great confusion at this sudden outpouring of fear.
"Patrasche, I…" Subaru mumbled, his hand clutching his chest tightly.What… just happened?He thought to himself fearfully. It was nothing but what he could call afear,pure unadulteratedfearthat he had just experienced: a pointed warning, a threat, an instinct of death.
What would have happened if he… went through with what he just said? He didn't know, but considering what just happened, maybe hedidn'twant to know. On the other hand, however, this reminded him of something else, something that was…verypressing on his mind…
"Patrasche…" Subaru spoke quietly. "Do you think I'm going to… die here?"
The dragon's eyes widened in alarm, her mouth hanging open in shock at this sudden and morbid question.
"I mean, things are getting… bad here, girl. It feels like we're all one step away from tearing each other's throats out, not to mention everything else coming up. And… what about if things reallydogo south in here? I'm weak! I'll be like a lamb in a den of wolves out there!"
Subaru brought his knees to his chest, slow tears bubbling in his eyelids.
"I'm just a kid, Patrasche. I don't know what to do, or why I'm even here. I never asked for this, I don't want to be a part of this. None of it."
The tears were flowing out in full force now, the teen unable to stop it even if he wanted it to.
"I want to go back, Patrasche. I want to be back in Japan. I want my normal life back. I want to see my parents again."
Patrasche closed her eyes, the ground dragon biting back tears of her own at this heartbreaking display.
"I want to go home, Patrasche."
The two sat in silence for a little while longer, neither wanting to make a move in this air of growing tragedy. Gingerly, the ground dragon began to shift, her tail pulling Subaru closer to her chest as she gently comforted him. Subaru, unable to hold back in his emotions, began to sob uncontrollably, the ground dragon doing her best to comfort the boy as he let it all out.
"Want to go home, want to go home, want to go home…"
The dragon held the boy close to her neck, a soothing hum rising from her throat as she hugged him close, Subaru clinging to her tighter as he cried, and cried, and cried. Gradually, his wailing sobs slowly began to ebb away, and he found himself just lying against her side, the ground dragon's tail rubbing his back soothingly as he lay against her hide, the dragon licking up any residual tears as she nuzzled his face, an action that warmed his heart to the very core.
"T…Thanks, Patrasche. It means a lot that you're here. You might just be the only person in this entire tower who I can really trust. And I mean truly, honestly trust here."
He shifted himself so he was looking directly in her eyes as he continued to speak. "If… if you and everyone else really believe in me that much, I can, at the very least, try to carry on, and make it out of here alive. Thank you, Patrasche. Thank you."
The ground dragon gave the teen an affirmative cry, her expression one of happiness as he gave him a hard slap on the shoulder with her tail, as if to tell him "That's the spirit!". Subaru cursed under his breath at the sting on his arm, but he felt happy too regardless.
As he turned to regard the ground dragon once more, however, he found himself pausing in place. Not because he suddenly realized something important, or suddenly grew fearful of something. No, because, as a matter of fact, he was currently experiencing a mix of both emotions, plus an odd mix of something else; something he one hundred percent was not expecting to feel since coming to this world. And what could have elicited such a deep response from the now flustered teen?
Her eyes.
Subaru couldn't help but stare into the ground dragon's golden-hued eyes, those alluring orbs like glittering ambers glinting in the darkness. The teen could feel his breath hitch in his throat as he continued to stare silently, the ground dragon blinking in curiosity at his sudden and strange behavior.
"Hey, Patrasche…" Subaru said, his voice shaky with uncertainty, the ground dragon straightening herself at his impending question.
"Has anyone ever told you… that you have the prettiest eyes?"
The ground dragon froze for a moment, Subaru swearing that something of a blush was crawling on her cheeks. Slowly, the dragon let out a hum, then a giggle, then a full-blown laugh, the teen unable to hold back as well as he also let out a boisterous laugh at the situation in front of him.
"Yeah, yeah, I know, I know, stupid question. But I'm serious here; your eyes are like gemstones or something. I would dare say they are even…"
Subaru paused, wondering if he was really going to speak the next words that were to come out of his mouth.
"Beautiful."
Time itself seemed to halt at that moment, Subaru suddenly feeling very flustered as his head dipped down, his eyes shut closed in complete dejection as he wrung his hands between themselves. Despite his best efforts to ignore it, his heart wouldn't stop beating out of his chest, his legs twitching with rising anxiety.
What… is happening to me?he questioned to himself.She's a flipping ground dragon! An animal!
So why can't I stop… thinking about her that way?
Subaru didn't want to believe it, but there were a lot of things he wasn't sure about anymore. His lost memories held secrets now lost to him, and now Subaru considered just what actions he had taken in the past that he was now unaware of.
B…but surely I would never do something like… that!
He was just stressed, is all. Yeah. Thathadto be the answer. He hadn't become some closet freak doing unspeakable things while he was here, no way. He might have been a loser, but he wasn'tthatdesperate for female companionship.
Right?
His thoughts were cut off by the feeling of a pointed nose rubbing against his forehead, the teen raising his head to meet the gaze of Patrasche looking back at him, her expression unreadable as far as he could tell. Subaru was sure, however, that he had likely crossed a line with that last comment, and he couldn't even imagine the lashing he was likely to receive for his impulsive idiocy. But what he could never have imagined, however, was the ground dragon's tail pushing gently against the small of his back, the ground dragon now regarding him with half lidded eyes as she slowly leaned in, and then, in an instant, the feeling of her scaly lips pressed against his.
His senses flared to life in an instant, a knee-jerk reaction to pull away from this sudden assault, but the ground dragon wouldn't let him go that easily, her stubby arms hooking around his shoulder as she pressed deeper into his mouth, the teen letting out a gasp of surprise as she slipped past his teeth, saliva beginning to pool between them as her long lizard tongue wrapped around his like a coiling snake, lewd smacks bouncing off the thick stone walls. The teen could feel himself slowly melting into the kiss, as if long dormant memories were being awoken more with each passing moment they stayed connected; a silent understanding kept between just the two of them.
And, as soon as it had arrived, it was over, the ground dragon finally releasing the boy from her titanic grasp as he found himself collapsing on the soft grass below, his breaths heavy and ragged as he regarded the ceiling with dazed interest. He could still feel the glistening saliva on his lips and tongue, evidence that what just happened was, indeed, not a dream; it was real, all of it.
Every. Single. Second of it.
So, I was right,he mused, a twinge of both horror and a strange sense of happiness coloring his thoughts.All this time, without even knowing it, I've been…
Subaru's eyes flew open, a sudden weight now pressing hard against his body. He looked up to regard the golden orbs of Patrasche now staring down on him, her tail swaying slowly and sensually in the air, her eyes clouded heavily with what could only be described as…
…desire.
It was a strange fact to consider, then and there. He had resigned himself back on Earth to a lonely virgin-filled life, any sexual needs done purely through fictional means. At a certain point, he grew fine with the idea that he would never really find "the one" for him; it wasn't for him, and he had other ways to fulfill his desires if he ever so chose. But this was a different world, with different rules; a chance to start over, in a sense. Even so, Subaru struggled to imagine a scenario where any of these cool fantasy people would end up falling for someone like him; he wasn't exactly dashing or particularly handsome, unlikesomepeople who made it look easy.
But to think that he not only had a…girlfriendin this world, but that she just so happened to be a… a dragon? A beast of burden, equivalent to what a horse or mule was back home? Just… what had happened here that could have lead to this? How was any of this possible in the first place? And more importantly…
What was he going to do about it?
Subaru stole a glance back at the ground dragon currently pinning him to the ground, that same half lidded gaze still there; it was clear that Patrasche knew what she wanted from him, and judging by the situation would not be so easily talked down; if he really wanted, hecouldtry to make an attempt to push her off, something that he doubted would succeed but would still send a clear message. But…
I… can't do that to her,he realized.I can't bring myself to reject her.
Perhaps some of those lingering feelings from the past still remained, or perhaps his heart was simply not suited to bringing others pain. For any reason, Subaru stayed his hand, taking an inward deep breath as he regarded the ground dragon in front of him with slanted eyes.
"Patrasche…" Subaru began to say. "Does this mean what I think it does?"
The ground dragon's eyes slowly shut closed, clearly contemplating the best answer, before giving him a firm nod.
"… Well, that's what I was suspecting. So, it's true then." Subaru said as he brought a lone hand to his face. "So, I've been sleeping with a ground dragon of all things… no offense, but I'm still not sure how I'm supposed to feel about this…"
Patrasche gave him a concerned look, her body shifting slightly as Subaru propped himself on his elbows, their eyes still locked with one another. "I'm really sorry about this, Patrasche. I know I've worried you and everyone else about my memory loss. There are so many things I need to catch up on, I don't even know where to start. I'm definitely not the same person I was, that's for sure, and I hope you can understand why I'm feeling the way I do now."
The ground dragon's expression fell into a forlorn frown, her gaze snapping away from his as her head turned away. But she was taken off guard when she felt a hand contact her scales. Looking back, her eyes widened with surprise as she saw Subaru caressing her gently, exactly how he used to all that time ago.
"I'm not the same guy you fell in love with, Patrasche. But, that doesn't mean we have to leave things as is. I trust you, girl. If you truly feel for me that way, then I…"
His words died in his throat as the ground dragon's arms suddenly wrapped around his back, the boy letting out a small yelp as she smashed her lips against his. Subaru felt a twinge of surprise and a remnant of disgust bubble up in his stomach, before he felt himself melt into the dragon's tight embrace. His hands began to trace along her lithe but powerful frame, her well-toned legs and thick muscles flexing with every touch he gave her, the dragon letting off soft moans in his mouth as he found himself pulling her closer, her tail now thrashing in the air like a vortex, her claws digging into his back as she held him against her taut chest in a vice like grip. When they at last pulled away due to the lack of air, Subaru could swear that the temperature had gone up at least a few degrees, his mind spinning with both pleasure and bewilderment as he struggled to control his rising urges.
"I… wow… I… hah… wasn't expecting that…"
The ground dragon regarded him with half lidded eyes, a low purr escaping her throat as her chest heaved with lust-filled breaths. Slowly, the ground dragon shuffled off his body and stood up, the boy eying her with curiosity as she stepped away from him backwards, before suddenly ducking down and falling back on the ground, the teen's eyes widening with shock as her head raised to meet his, her legs opening in an arc as his eyes fell upon…
"Oh… oh my god…"
It was pink. It was puffy. It waswet.Subaru's mouth fluttered open and closed with rising panic, a pure form of terror and anticipation gripping his very soul like a binding curse. This was it, the final threshold he thought he would never cross in his young and unfortunate life.
"Patrasche, wait a second…" Subaru stuttered, struggling to keep his voice steady. "Right now? You want to… with me? Right now?"
The ground dragon let off a soft whine of impatience, her opening throbbing with need as she thrust her hips in the air, the message loud and clear that she wasn't interested in waiting any longer.
Well, that answers that question. Okay, here goes nothing.
Subaru gulped nervously, a cold and clammy sweat now clinging to his skin. With great effort, he forced himself to crawl forward, his hands trembling all the way, until at last he found himself hovering above the waiting ground dragon, her gaze immediately drifting down to his lower regions, the boy feeling himself shiver and wilt under her predatory gaze. He sucked in a deep breath, his shaking fingers grasping the hem of his pants tightly as he pulled them down, an unintentional gasp escaping his throat as his cock hung stiff in the open air, already fully erect and standing at attention for the dragon's now unheeded discretion.
Her eyes grew wide at the sight of his human member, a look of curiosity and hunger crossing her features. Carefully, she reached out with one of her clawed hands and gave it a gentle stroke, her touch surprisingly gentle despite the sharpness of her claws. Subaru's hips bucked involuntarily at the contact, a soft groan escaping his lips as she began to stroke him up and down in a rhythm that was surprisingly human-like, her claws never once breaking skin as she brought him closer and closer to the brink of ecstasy. His eyes rolled into the back of his head as his body trembled, the dragon's warm breath washing over his face as she leaned with closer, her mouth hovering just above his cock, a careening wave of pleasure rippling through his body as she opened her mouth, the teen stifling a moan as he felt her tongue caress the underside of his glans, the dragon letting off a satisfied hum as she upped her game, swirling her long tongue slowly and sensually around his throbbing head, Subaru's mind going blank with pleasure as an indescribable pleasure enveloped his entire body, the lewd smacks of her mouth sucking him off resonating through the very air around them.
Subaru could feel his cock twitch with every stroke of her tongue, his mind racing with thoughts that were too fast to process, his body moving almost on its own as he moved forward with primal abandon, the ground dragon's maw welcoming him in with open arms as pushed himself with a grunt into her open mouth. She took him in with effortless ease, her jaws parting wide to accommodate his girth, her tongue now lathering the whole of his member as she pulled him deeper and deeper, the feel of her saliva against his skin driving him mad with snowballing desire. He could feel her hands clasp around the base of his hips, holding him in place as she began to bob her head back and forth with a flexibility he could only dream of, the dragon's eyes never leaving his as she took her lover to cloud nine and beyond, the smoldering embers of passion in them burning brighter with every stroke of her tongue. Subaru's hands flew to the dragon's head, gripping it tightly as he began to thrust into her mouth, her purrs growing huskier and more intense with every passing second, the vibrations now traveling along his entire shaft. He could feel his orgasm building, the pressure growing like a storm about to break within him, his heart racing and his breath coming in short gasps as he approached his limit, the boy shouting with ecstasy as he felt her throat constricting around his length, as if trying to him milk him of every last drop he was more than willing to give.
And just when he thought he couldn't take anymore, she pulled back.
The dragon looked up at him, a smug look in her eyes. She licked her lips with a slow and deliberate motion, savoring the taste of him as if he were a delicacy, before leaning back on the soft grass below, her claws tracing the engorged lips of her lower regions as she panted with barely restrained lust, giving him a look that was both and seductive and commanding. Subaru could see it in her eyes.
There would be no more arguing, no more agonizing, no more waiting.
The moment had finally come. There was no turning back now.
Subaru froze for a brief moment, his mind racing with thoughts of what was about to come next. He didn't know if he could handle it, handle her, but he knew that he had to try. He had to give this dragon what she wanted. She needed him, and he needed her. There was no other way around it. He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself as his hands latched onto her hips, steadying himself as he slowly leaned in, his cock pushing straight against her slick and needy folds, the heat of her awaiting insides making him feel like he was going to burst then and there. Patrasche watched him with a fiery hunger, her tail swishing back and forth in excitement. He positioned himself firmly at her entrance, savoring the feeling of her warmth and wetness against his tip. He paused, taking in the sight of her pussy, so alien yet inviting, before gently and carefully pushing himself in with a throaty groan.
It was tight, so much tighter than he ever expected, and it felt like he was stretching himself beyond his limits, but he didn't stop. He couldn't. The dragon's rippling walls clung to him like a second skin, her muscles pulsating around him as he inched further and further inside her heavenly tunnel. Her legs wrapped around him snugly and possessively, pulling him closer against her demanding body, urging him to push farther, farther, and farther still, until he, at last, felt himself push against the final barrier of her cervix, the teen letting out a sigh he didn't know he was holding in as he finally relaxed, his head finding rest against the ground dragon's neck as he basked in the feeling of their mutual connection. Human and dragon now lay sprawled across the pillowy grass, their limbs locked tightly against the other in a tight missionary lock, neither having the strength nor will to even attempt to pull away from the bliss that had now enfolded them.
"Patrasche, Patrasche…" Subaru whispered mindlessly, gritting his teeth as her pussy began to clench and pulsed around his member, her love juices smothering him like a warm kiss enveloping his loins, begging him to give in and release all that he was holding back. But he knew she needed more, she craved more, so he took a moment to compose himself before he started to pull out, her tunnel quivering with delight as his member scraped against her sensitive walls. Patrasche's eyes rolled into the back of her head, a trill of unbridled desire escaping her mouth as she felt him move within her, her heart fluttering with joy as he began a steady pace, in and out, in and out, the dragon's brain alighting with rapturous satisfaction with every passing thrust.Oh how I missed this!she thought gleefully to herself. I will never go without this feeling again!Her tail teased against the teen's cheek as it pushed against his backside, pressing into his skin lovingly as he began to fuck her with a gentle but firm rhythm, the dragon's body responding in kind as she matched his pace plunge for plunge.
The sound of their flesh slapping together echoed through the room, melding with the symphony of nature around them as the dragon and human's moans grew louder, more feral, more demanding. Subaru's eyes grew wide as he felt her start to quiver and tighten around him, her breathing hitched as she threw her head back, her mouth opening in a silent scream of pure pleasure as her body began to convulse in orgasm, her pussy spasming around him in waves of ecstasy, the teen feeling his own climax approaching like a tidal wave. He leaned down and captured her mouth again, kissing her with a passion that was matched by the ferocity of his hips as he picked up the pace, pounding into her with a desperation that was fueled by her own, the dragon's claws raking his back as she met each of his thrusts with a grind of her own, her hips rising to meet his with a hunger that was insatiable. The smell of their combined arousal filled the air, a potent aphrodisiac that seemed to only drive them both closer to the edge, their movements growing more frenzied with each passing second, their love a fiery blaze that burned away any doubt or hesitation that might have remained between them.
And then, with a roar that seemed to shake the very earth, Patrasche had at last reached her peak, her inner walls clamping down on him like a vice as she came, her juices splashing against his cock like a tidal wave, her body writhing and twitching out of control as she spasmed beneath him. Subaru felt his own orgasm crash into him like a meteor, his body locking up as he finally exploded, his seed filling her to the brim with his essence, the dragon's cries of pleasure muffled by their deep kiss. They finally separated, their bodies entwined in the throes of passion, the world around them fading into a hazy blur as they rode the waves of their shared climax.
And, as the throes of drowsiness began to slowly but surely overtake his mind, Subaru only had one thing on his mind, a realization he wished he had come to far,farsooner.
Patrasche… truly is… best girl.
And with that, he finally fell asleep.
"Here he is, Beatrice! I told you we'd find him in here!"
"So this is where you've been hiding away, I suppose. Foolish boy. And what's with that look you're giving me, ground dragon?"
Patrasche reared up slightly, an annoyed rising from her maw. The ground dragon was lying flat down on her belly, her body and tail curled protectively around one Subaru Natuski, the raven-haired boy fast asleep as he rested against her hide, a worn yet peaceful smile on his face.
"Aww, isn't that cute?" spoke Emilia, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she knelt to the ground dragon's height, the lizard purring happily as she stroked her spiky frills. "See, Beatrice? He's been safe the whole time; Patrasche has been taking care of him for us! Isn't that right, girl?"
"Hmf. What an utterly embarrassing sight, I suppose. Spending all your time with thisbeastinstead of me? How completely preposterous, in fact!"
The great spirit crossed her arms in anger and spite as she looked away, her mouth dropped into a childish frown as she stewed in her jealousy. Patrasche looked back at her with a barely concealed glare, her tail wrapping around Subaru just atadtighter as she let off a sharp yet quiet huff.
"Oh, come on, Beatrice, you don't have to be jealous! I'm sure Subaru had his reasons for coming here. You don't have to take it out on her."
"Well, that's just what…" Beatrice began to say, before she stopped in her tracks. Slowly, the spirit began sniffing the air, a mix of both confusion and disgust crossing her face as she began to wander the room like a bloodhound, the ground dragon tracking her movements with subdued yet focused interest.
"Eh, Beatrice?" Emilia asked as she stood up, a twinge of worry pinching at her heart. "Is something the matter?"
"There's something strange here. A smell of some sort. It's faint, but I can still detect its presence here, I suppose."
"What… does it smell like?"
Beatrice slowed to a halt, her gaze landing squarely on Patrasche, the ground dragon's expression unreadable as she lay perfectly still, her golden eyes locked with the spirits for a brief, yet tense moment.
"Earthy. Musky, even."
Emilia's expression turned to one of confusion, the half-elf turning to regard the ground dragon as she pondered what this all meant.
"Is it… coming from Patrasche?"
"Hard to say, I suppose, but that is certainly a possibility."
Emilia placed a hand on her chin, the ground dragon turning away from Beatrice to look at her fully, her body language one of anxiety and barely restrained calm.
"Well, sheisa ground dragon, Beatrice. I would expect her to smell a tad earthy. And besides that, isn't this entire room sorta earthy, too? Maybe that smell is coming from the spirit energy here. What do you think?"
The great spirit crossed her arms once more, a distinct scowl still hanging on her face as she considered the possibilities. Finally, she sighed heavily, a sense of accepting defeat on her features.
"I… suppose you are right. It's likely nothing to get too concerned about, in fact. I'll let this go… for now."
Emilia let go of a long sigh, the ground dragon relaxing her pose as well, the half-elf swearing that she was smiling as well, though it was hard to tell exactly with a creature like Patrasche.
"However, Emilia, I am afraid that this is only the beginning of our discussion. We have found the boy alive and well, I suppose, but that does not spell the end of our conundrum, does it not?"
"Mmm. His memories…"
"Indeed," Beatrice said, her hands playing anxiously with her pigtails as she drew closer to the teen. "That is in fact a part of the puzzle, though our original mission still stands…"
"The trials, the sage, the books of the dead, gluttony…" Emilia spoke silently, a foreboding sense of dread now hanging in the atmosphere. "There is still much to do, it seems."
Beatrice gave her a solemn nod, the spirit now kneeling in front of Subaru as she traced a palm along his forehead, the ground dragon eying her with curiosity as she carefully examined the sleeping boy.
"Beatrice…" Emilia spoke up. "Do you think we should… wake him? I know I was jesting about it before, but I do fear for his safety if we leave him be again…"
"No, it is alright, in fact." Beatrice stood up to her full height, her expression now one of calm. "Let him rest. He will need it for the trials to come. Patrasche is here, in any case; she will not any harm come to him."
"Well, that's a relief…", Emilia said, bending down to stroke the lizard's large head, the ground dragon's eyes shutting closed with content as she leaned into the touch. "You watch over him now, OK? If there's any trouble, let us know as soon as possible, alright?"
The ground dragon hummed in approval as she nodded her head, her eyes now glowing fiercely with resolve and vigilance.
"Good. Come on, Beatrice, it's about time we find the others and update them on the situation."
The spirit and the half-elf rose to their feet, throwing one last glance towards Subaru as they disappeared down the hall. Once they were gone, Patrasche's body curled up even tighter around her precious human, the teen glowing with a small smile in his sleep as she licked him tenderly on the cheek, their hidden bond kept successfully secret for another day…
...or, at least, that's what they thought.
