Harevis

The way she laughed left a tickle in his belly, her bright teeth flashing happily. More than anything, he just wanted to make her smile again and again. To see her beautiful, slender teeth and to hear her joyous laughter. She laughed like an angel. It was a high, crystalline sound that sang through his bones and made his blood rush to his skin. He was so used to being around dragons that were attracted to him. In fact, he used that to his advantage. He teased them, making them itch and fawn over him. He loved the feeling of being wanted.

But this? This was something quite different. This time it was backwards. She had him strung by the heart. He wanted to be beside her. He was the one fawning and itching for her attention. It was so foolish, acting like a lovesick hatchling. Oh, but he couldn’t help it! It was such delightful torture . . . he sighed blissfully, taking her paw between his own and brushing his mouth against it. Her scales smelled of lavender, he noted, and he revelled in the soft, enticing scent. His wide, glittering eyes meeting hers as she blushed.

He felt so young, so invigorated. He coaxed her into a wild dance, cavorting over the open field in a way he hadn’t since -- how long had it even been? She laughed in response, following after him with an amused enthusiasm. It soon became a race with no finish line as they careened madly through the tall grass. They only stopped once they were too exhausted to continue, eyes sparkling and breath heaving. Talking and laughing, they made their way back to the inn, walking slowly with their tails intertwined. Every once in a while he paused to plant another kiss on her cheek. And every time, she would smile slyly under her blush.

He couldn’t quite tell if she was following him, but either way they ended up in a heap on a nest they had reserved for the night. Grinning, he gathered her up in his forearms, tickling her belly. She laughed, her adorable face crinkling as she batted away his searching claws. Breathing deep, he settled into the soft nest, sinking down deep. Her body was cradled against his, their hearts beating almost in unison. He nuzzled against her neck, breathing deep the scent of lavender and happiness. And he made up his mind. This, this was not something that he could easily find. This was something more precious, more special. He fell asleep knowing that she would not be another lover he left behind. For her, he would stay.

But the bed was cold when he awoke. His eyes shot open, his claws reaching instinctively out for her soft, familiar form. But they met nothing but cool blankets. They were heavy with the ghosts of the evening, and he suddenly felt even colder without her comfort. Where . . . where had she gone? There was an empty place in his heart, one that yearned for his sweet, beautiful angel.

It was then that he saw it. A single sprig of lavender on the pillow beside him, the delicate blooms still shining with the morning’s dew. With gentle claws, he gathered the fragile blossoms, pressing them close to his muzzle. He breathed in the smell of her closeness, her vibrance, shifting into the memories of the past for several moments. He returned then it to its place, looking at it for a final few moments. Well played, he thought sadly. With that, he rose slowly and left it where it was.
by SkyLark