The 'Dragon Defender'

Moonlit Musings

"Hey. Couldn't sleep?"

I blink, looking up at Plasma as he approaches me. I shrug, turning back towards the ocean, watching how the moonlight reflects off the waves. "I just had a lot of thinking to do," I admit to him. "What about you?"

"Wasn't tired," he replies. "Mind if I join you?"

"Be my guest."

Plasma sits beside me, the two of us admiring the moon and stars for a minute. "Beautiful night, isn't it?" He comments. "Yeah, it is," I agree. "Very relaxing."

"Mm," he hums, then looks to me. "So what was it you needed to think about? Still worried about the whole situation with the Berkians?"

"No more than I usually would be," I chuckle. "But everything's changed since I first came here. I don't have Valka. I don't have the humans. I haven't been home in a long time, longer than I've ever stayed away. And I have a family I thought I'd lost a long time ago. Hel, I even have a whole different form."

"Bit much?" Plasma guesses, laughing a little at my final point. "That's understandable. It must be a lot to take in. I can't imagine the kind of confusion you must have gone through trying to make sense of it all."

I nod slightly, appreciating how understanding he's being. What with all the times I've been told 'I understand, but...', I suppose it's kind of nice to hear someone admit that they really don't understand.

"... Selene wants me to stay here," I note, leaning back on my hands as I admire the softly lapping waves before us.

"And you're worried about leaving your pack," Plasma hums knowingly. I nod slightly, a soft sigh escaping me. "Right."

"But that means a part of you wants to stay, doesn't it?"

I blink, looking at Plasma properly now. I can't make out much of his face in the dark, though it only seems to make his purple eyes almost glow. Or is that just the light of the moon and stars reflecting and glistening back?

"... Maybe," I mumble, dithering slightly. "I don't know. It's complicated."

"I bet it is," he nods, frowning slightly. "I feel like there's more you're trying to wrap your head around, though. Care to talk about it?"

I smile slightly beneath my mask, shaking my head. "I've bothered you enough with my feelings today, I think."

He sets his hand on my shoulder, looking to me. "If I was bothered, why would I be asking?" He looks me in the eyes as he speaks, then releases me, pulling away again as he runs a hand through his hair. "If you don't want to talk, that's fine, but I'm here and willing if you want an ear."

I adjust my mask over my face, one shoulder rising and falling in a half-hearted shrug. If he's really offering, I suppose...

"... I just..." I sigh as I try to find the right words. "I'm trying to work it all out..."

I shake my head, looking to him again, silently cursing the way my voice felt so small compared to the usual power it holds. "Plasma, I can't live like this anymore, whether I like it or not. Once Asher's fully healed - and that'll surely be soon, what with his condition - I'll have to speak to my Alpha."

Plasma nods at this. "I'm sure he'll understand. Any good Alpha would only want what's best for you."

"I don't doubt that," I agree, sighing. "But I still don't even know what I want."

"Who said you need to have all the answers?" Plasma points out gently. "What's stopping you from just doing as you please?"

I chuckle humourlessly at this, turning back to the water. "A cute thought. But if I don't keep up the job, who does?"

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Plasma shrugging one shoulder, his head titling to the side slightly in a 'fair point' kind of manner. It's silent for a moment, with only the gently crashing waves and the cold wind reaching our ears.

"... You're right."

I blink, my head snapping to him. "Really?"

"Yeah," he nods. "I mean... one way or another, those dragons need to be rescued, and those hunters need to be stopped. And you've done a tremendous job towards that."

"... Thank you," I mumble, letting out a breath I hadn't realised I'd been holding. "Usually people tell me I'm wrong with that, even the dragons back home... it's a nice change of pace to have someone who doesn't think I'm just being dramatic or ridiculous."

"No, you're not being that at all," Plasma shakes his head. "Though I do think you need to find others to help you with your work. As much as you've been amazing out there, it's too big a job for just one person. Don't you think?"

"I've thought about that," I admit, shrugging. "But I have nobody I can bring in for help."

"I'll help you," he offers, to which I chuckle slightly. "Don't you have responsibilities within the pack?" I point out. "I can't pull you away from that. But thank you."

"Mm, that's probably for the best," he admits, laughing a little. "Hm... but maybe there will be other Morphwings willing to learn your tricks? I can speak to my father about it, maybe a training programme is in order. Then you can teach them the ins and outs of the job?"

"... Do you really think it would work?" I ask him, impressed. "I don't see why it wouldn't be worth a shot," Plasma replies, then smiles playfully. "Plus, if it makes you feel useful while keeping you out of trouble..."

I roll my eyes at this, lightly swatting his arm. "Oh, shut up," I grumble, but my light tone gives me away. He just chuckles, showing his palms in mock surrender. "Okay, okay."

We turn back to the water once more, no more left to say. I take in a deep breath of the cold air, then slowly let it out. I notice Plasma rub his bare arms a little, so I morph into dragon form and wrap a wing around him, causing him to smile.

"Thank you, Indigo."

"Thank you for everything else."