Misunderstood Love

Chapter 7 - Popping the question?

(Disclaimer, one drug reference)

"No, like this," Meltwater tried to show Earthshaker how to walk via example. It didn't work, and the tiny dragonet flopped back onto the ground. His brother, Cavern, trotted up to him, poked his nose, and trotted off again, avoiding his brother's futile attempts to bite him. Earthshaker had hatched with a large MudWing body piled onto skinny NightWing legs. He couldn't hold up the weight of his own body long enough to walk quite yet, unlike his brother, whos only NightWing attribute, besides colouring, was his NightWing tail. Meltwater wasn't quite sure how he had managed to launch himself at the other's eggs. He just needed to build leg strength.

"He's pretty cute," Jujube commented, flicking his RainWing ruff, filled with piercings, at the dragonet. The sound of the metal clinking got Cavern's attention, and he bolted into the fields of whatever Spittlebug was growing.

Skink picked up Earthshaker and started running a claw gently across his belly. The usually hyper dragonet snuggled in to the warm SandWing. "So, what's it like being a mom?" he asked.

"Oh, well, they're really more Spittlebug's kids," Meltwater replied. After all this time with her girlfriend, it still didn't feel like they were in a relationship. She didn't even think the word girlfriends suited their relationship. It just felt like another house to live in with another roommate to deal with.

"Are you sure? I mean, you two have been together for some time now, with no break-ups or big fights or anything. I think she might be the one for you," he replied.

"What?" Meltwater looked over to Spittlebug, who was watering the plants. She stopped as Cavern burst out, trying to catch the water. Skink waited for her to return the wet dragonet to the small back deck before he continued.

"You know, get married. That way, you're guaranteed to stay in this house. She can't just break up with you. Also, she's probably been waiting for it. I mean, its been over a year and, again, she hasn't broken up with you. If that's not begging for a proposal, I don't know what is.

"I- I guess so," she stuttered. Had Spittlebug really been waiting for her marriage proposal? The HiveWing acted more like a parental figure then a romantic partner. Always "don't put your muddy talons on my table," and "Pick up that trash," and "absolutely NO drugs allowed in my house. You can go back to your trash-filled crackhouse if you want to do that." Never twining her tail around hers, or kissing her lightly on the cheek, or any of that other lovey-dovey stuff she saw or read about couples doing. Not even an "I love you." But maybe she just wasn't an affectionate dragon.

"We can help you set it up," Jujube offered, and Skink nodded. "The End-Summer festival is coming up soon. We can take over your booth and watch the dragonets and stuff. Spend a day there and propose at the end, as the sun's going down. Its perfect. And we can even keep watching the dragonets afterwards. What do you say?"

"I- well... I'll do it!" she said. She didn't want to disappoint her friends, or Spittlebug. And she did NOT want to move back into that trashpit house.

She still didn't feel a real connection to Spittlebug, though. She hoped she wouldn't regret this choice.