Daigon

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'Do... Do you think we could start a clan out here, Daig?'

'No.' Daigon's reply was sharp and harsh. It slightly surprised Alisha with how quick he was to deny her idea.

'Why's that?'

Her question caused Daigon's eyes to fix on her for a moment, before he sighed and stood up from where he was lying in the cave. 'We're keeping ourselves alive. What are the chances we invite another dragon in and they kill us, or eat all our food, or use all our materials? Y'ask me, don't trust anyone you don't know.'

He walked outside of the cave, and Alisha paused a moment. Maybe he was right. On their long journey out here, she clearly recalled being attacked once. A dragon, far larger than either of them, and not wanting to be nice. Daigon tried to fight back, only getting a nasty scar along his jaw. In that moment, she knew he was just trying to protect her. He was right at that moment. A stranger had threatened their lives. But maybe Daigon isn't always right. She got up and flew after him.

She found him laying outside, staring at the ground in contemplation. 'Daigon...'

'I...was too harsh. Am I even capable of protecting you when this is how I treat you, Alisha?' His words momentarily confused her, and she flew in front of him to look him in the eyes.

'You know I wouldn't trust anyone else.' Alisha smiled at him. She moved a little closer to look at his scar. 'This...is enough proof of that.'

'As if my voice wasn't intimidating enough.' Daigon joked, his own smile appearing. There was a short pause. 'What material do we have right now?'

Alisha flew back to the cave to check, and returned shortly after, dragging some leather-type rag after her. 'Don't you remember having this on you when we left?'

'I know. Just checking it's still here. I'm going hunting. Stay here, stay safe.' Without waiting to hear her reply to his statement, he grabbed the leather and walked away.

'You stay safe too, Daigon.' Alisha muttered, watching him leave. She didn't like him going off to hunt by himself. She returned to the cave, and tried to sleep until he came back, though her worries kept her up.

The hour it took for him to hunt felt like forever to Alisha. Constant thoughts of him never never coming back or him being badly injured stressed her deeply. She was about to go out to look for him when she saw him coming back, food for the next few days with him. She held back from flying over to him; she knew how much he hated her worrying over him.

One of the things different about him that she quickly noticed was the mask covering his nose, mouth and lower jaw. The scar was completely hidden. 'Sorry it took a little longer then normal.' he said, voice slightly muffled, as he passed her.

'Daigon, is that why you wanted the leather?' Alisha asked, following him. He pulled down the mask with a claw after leaving the catch of insects with the rest of the food.

'Yeah. I've been thinking about what you said earlier, about a clan.' Daigon, turned to her and sat down. 'Maybe we can't survive on our own for too long. We're not the biggest dragons around after all... I still won't trust outsiders immediately, but I might consider letting people who want to live with us in. As long as they pull their weight.'

'Daigon...! Do you...are you sure?' Alisha's face lit up.

'I said 'might' so don't get too excited.' Daigon replied. He smiled as Alisha zipped around the cave in delight. It was nice to see her happy, he had to admit it.

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Daigon had noticed that Aurelia had been pacing around outside for a while. He rarely saw her pause, except when someone needed her for something.Something about it concerned him. He went to confront her. 'What's keeping you?' he asked her, catching her by surprise.

Her tired eyes locked onto his. 'I'm trying to think of where to put stuff. Storage, food, shelter, all of it. I'm trying to do what I can for us.'

'Do you ever sleep?'

'Sometimes I sleep in the middle of thinking and have to start thinking from scratch again.'

Daigon fell silent, watching her pace some more. She was doing all of this by herself, and it sounded like she was making herself think she needed to. Daigon found issue with that. 'You really should get some rest, Aurelia. All this pacing around is gonna burn you out.'

'I can't. What else would I do to help out around here?'

'You can hunt in further regions then I can.'

'But what's that...really worth...when you...' Her words started to slow as well as her pace. Daigon rushed to her side, just in time to soften her landing with himself. He grunted in pain at the force, but put up with it to lay her down gently.

'Aurelia, you hear me?' Daigon asked, stretching out his back.

'Ghnn...sorry...' Aurelia weakly replied. 'I...must've lost consiousness for a moment...'

'That's it. Aurelia, I'm commanding you rest. For at least three days.'

Aurelia was about to protest, but sighed and gave up. 'I'm sorry...you're right.'

'Stop apologising. You're more valuable then you think you are, and we need you capable of standning without fainting from exhaustion. Besides, I care about your health. All this activity ain't good for you.'

'I understand, Daigon. Thanks for talking some sense into me. You're a good friend...' Aurelia replied. She shut her eyes, and Daigon stayed for a moment to check she hadn't fainted again and was actually just sleeping. When he saw her chest slowly rising and falling, he smiled.

'Rest up, girl.'

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Cullen had been pacing around the cave since Daigon left in the morning. The wait was painstakingly long, hours goings by too slowly for him to keep track of. Alisha had come by occasionally with Rubi to provide a few words of encouragement, but none of it seemed to be helping that much.

'Heeeey, Cullen!' Alisha's cheery voice reached him before she came into view. She just buzzed with excitement. 'He's back! Remember what we said? Be straight with him, and just say it.' She fluttered just in front of him.

'Be straight, ha. That's ironic.' Cullen chuckled over the wording, but still nodded. 'I'm nervous. But I know this has to be said. No more beating around the bush. Wish me luck?'

'Good luck. I'm sure he'll accept it.' Her words brought a smile to his face.

A peaceful silence hung between them before Daigon's claws scraping againts the stone came closer.

'Greeting me back again? I said you don't have to, Alisha.' He huffed, walking over and glancing between them.

'Aww, but I wanted to! It's fun to see you come back.' She groaned.

'Sometimes it's fun to see you go.' Cullen chimed in, smiling with a small blush.

'Could do with less staring from you.' His tone made the words seem far harsher then they were. Cullen, for one, didn't mind it much. He walked past them. 'If you don't mind, I need a nap.' For a moment, Cullen just watched him go. He almost didn't move an inch, until Alisha nudged him and nodded encouragingly.

'Hey, let me join you?' He called out, running to catch up. As they walked side-by-side, Daigon glanced at him.

'...Okay, what's up?' He asked as the two of them entered the bedroom-like cave, big enough for both of them.

'What!? Nothing's up. Except maybe my heartrate...' He started blushing harder. Man, it took so much confidence to get it said.

'Yeah, because you always ask to sleep with me.' Daigon replied with a roll of his eyes.

'Okay fine... It's just...' The Skydancer took a moment to breathe. 'I really like you, Daigon.'

Daigon didn't even react. 'Thanks?' He tilted his head in confusion.

'That's not- Ugh, you don't get it.' Cullen let out a low growl. 'I really like you Daigon.' Daigon's head shifted back to normal again, and he was about to say something when Cullen just kept talking. 'I have for a long time. A really long time.' He took a step closer to him. 'Aurelia didn't help me put this Gladeboughs on nicely for Rubi. Don't you remember the first time I got rejected?'

Daigon's eyes fixed on his. 'Yeah. You tried the flowers. Guy nearly destroyed you for good when he stomped them down. I really did feel bad, it was my idea.'

'Well...the Gladeboughs on me...are for you.' He smiled, blushing brightly.

It took a moment for the words to sink in for Daigon, who just tilted his head. 'For..me? Then why are- Oh...' As it hit him, his own face grew hot. 'Uh, that's...thoughtful...they're really nice...' He eyes darted away, almost turning his head to hide his embarassment.

'Since that day, Gladeboughs always had that idea for me. A confession. To someone I...love. You.' He brought a claw to Daigon's chin, turning his head back to face him.

'...Why do you think I'm blushing...' Daigon muttered, just loud enough so he could hear it. 'Just...why wait until now?'

'I didn't really want to. Even way back then, I wanted to say something. But every single time, I just thought about how you might not...want to be with me...like that, and just leave me for good. I-I couldn't...handle that. I didn't want to lose you...' Cullen's heart just spilled out to Daigon, who stood there, an embarassed mess. 'I didn't think you would have an interest in me that way...or an interest in anyone. And if you turned me down, even nicely...it would've just felt awkward. Now...there's no option left. All I have is you.' His eyes had started to form tears in the corners.

Daigon sighed softly. 'Please don't go crying on me now.' The claw under his chin retracted, and he could tell Cullen's hope was failing. No, don't start, I'll never get you to stop... he thought to himself. 'Before you start crying your eyes out, save your reactions for when I'm done talking, please. I'll take a minute or two.' Cullen nodded, though Daigon could tell he wasn't sure he could. He gently placed a reasuring claw on Cullen's. 'Listen. I dont' know what you're expecting me to say, but...I hope it's a shock to you...cause even I don't. I know you've been flirty with me for ages but I just thought thats because you were trying to make me to laugh or something. Guess I was wrong there. I just...don't know how to say it. You're a great friend, Cullen. You know I don't want to lose you either. 'I just need a minute to think, I'm not saying no. Alright?'

Cullen's head hung a little lower at that. 'Y-Yeah...I understand...I sprung this on you out of nowhere and you weren't aware that I looked at you like that...'

'Hey, it's fine. At least you're not telling me you fought Rubi again.' He tried to lighten the mood a little, and it seemed to work.

'I wouldn't be caught bold enough to do that. They're one tough dragon for sure.' The Skydancer gave a soft chuckle. 'Do...you want to be alone to think over what I said?'

Daigon was quick to react, his claw shifting from Cullen's claw to his cheek in a flash. 'No no no. It won't take me long. Trust me. I'd rather tell you as soon as I can then leave you in the dark about it, worrying yourself overnight.'

Cullen's eye were wide for a moment at the tender touch. He smiled. 'Alright. Thanks.' The two of them lay down in the cave, Daigon making sure to be close to the nervous dragon in an attempt to calm him down.

There was a peaceful silence between them as they stayed close. For a few minutes, neither of them said anything, only their own hearts beating hard to keep them company.

'A good night for this...'

Daigon's sudden thought slipped out. Culen glanced at him.

'Real quiet...peaceful... Everyone's probably wanting to know what I say right about now, huh?'

'I may have told them...sorry...' Cullen chuckled nervously.

'Don't be. I don't mind. Plus, I think they're gonna be pretty happy with this outcome.'

Cullen froze. He stayed silent for a moment as Daigon pressed into him a little more.

'W-What do you mean?' he asked, feeling too much heat in his cheeks.

He felt a claw grip his own, squeezing softly. 'I think we should try.'

Cullent fell completely silent, locking eyes with Daigon. Both of their faces were burning. Cullen started to chuckle softly. 'What? What's funny? I just said yes to you.' Daigon protested.

A claw came up to pull his mask down. 'You always find a way to surprise me, Dai. I love that. I love you.' He leaned down and nuzzled his nose against Daigon's. He was a little surprised, but smiled at it.

'It's nice, seeing you smile like that.' Diagon commented.

'You too, my love. You too...' Cullen pressed a little harder.

'Just to be clear, can we take it slow? Rushing was never something that worked for you...' Daigon said before he got too close.

Cullen pulled back a little. 'Good point... Of course we can.' The two of them stayed close the rest of the night and slept in each other's warmth.
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