Scale Back Tail (Original Universe)

Chapter 14: Brother? Sister? Siblings.

Axis' POV

I gave out a sigh as I spotted Lokum laying by a small pond that was hidden in the dense trees. I had been trying to track them since dawn, it was now mid-day. They quickly picked up on my presence and smiled in my direction, giving me a look as if they were expecting me.

"Axis, you're losing your touch you know, it usually takes longer for me to spot you," Lokum called out teasingly, although I was almost certain they knew why I tracked them. "Don't play dumb with me Lokum. What were you thinking? You could have been spotted in the rain, let alone by Dragling!" I hissed out at them while walking over to where they had made themselves comfortable by the water.

"Ah ah ah, I thought you weren't supposed to talk to anydragon right? That's what I remember hearing yesterday, after all," Lokum continued to speak in an infuriatingly teasing tone, now sitting up, however. "As far as I'm concerned, you aren't one, half-breed." I growled out, only seeming to encourage Lokum further though.

"Well, if we're bringing that into this, I guess Shade could run his mouth all he likes to you, hm? But that's not how that works, is it now?" Lokum fired back, hitting right between the scales. I hate how they get under my scales so easily.

Lokum's POV

"Stop trying to distract me. Answer my questions Lokum. Why would you waste your disguise to bring that runt back to their den? You know all too well how dangerous that could have been if you were exposed as a Lochin!" Axis stepped closer as they spoke, now staring down at me.

So quick to ask questions, as usual, never a dull moment with them! I could never deny that it was quite amusing to see how far they drew the line between us. Siblings, from the same clutch even! Yet here they were, saying they were more a dragon than me, when in fact neither of us are.

"They're a rather interesting dragon, much more deserving of that title than either of us. I think you know that, Axis. You were the one who started this after all, and yet, here you are, afraid that you've festered something more than you. One of us had to investigate, and that would've been me if not for the rain," I spoke with a harsh tone while looking up at them.

I saw that annoyed shell they had on break right before my own eyes, just like the many times it had before during these conversations. They gave a quick huff in response, barking out a short "At least I try to stay hidden during my plans." Before flying off. The quip had no real venom, not that their actual venom would've hurt me in either situation.

I could tell they hadn't flown far based on how quick the sound of their landing was. I had gotten pretty good at dealing with Axis' short tempers over these recent years, it only took five times before figuring out how long to wait before getting up to look for them. They'd come around eventually, tell me to stay out of sight, and ultimately leave feeling better.

I knew these 'fights' were never serious to either of us. Axis just has odd ways of blowing off steam, honestly, I've had weirder pleasures than half of their worries. I knew they'd always come back, always worrying that I didn't live in a group, worried that they'd find my bones hung in the trees. Always worrying that something would happen if they weren't there to make sure the eyes of the world thought we were dragons to the very core, even while arguing that they could just fly off and I wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

They'd never do that though, I didn't even have to lie to myself about it. One way or another, we'd figure this out together.