A large blurry dragon stood menacingly in front of Winter. He couldn't tell who they were, but he could tell they were angry. Shame, disappointed, and disgust spread across their face. He looked closer, and realized with horror it was some odd amalgamation of dragons. Winter recognized some of the faces. Tundra and Narwhal, his parents, Icicle, his sister, and his brother. Hailstorm.
The hydra-looking dragon looked down at Winter with anger, "Shameful." It spat in a strange voice, as if all of them were talking at the same time.
Winter took a step back, trying to hold in tears, "W-what?"
"Disappointing."
"I-I'm sorry-"
"Useless."
"M-mother? Father??"
"Unproper."
"I-Icicle?"
"Strange."
"Hailstorm?"
There was a pause. Tears were running down Winter's cheeks. Didn't his family care? He tried so hard all the time, why he still not good enough?
"Hailstorm, brother?" Winter repeated.
"..."
"Failure."
Winter shot up in tears. It was just a nightmare, and yet it had felt so real. It looked just like them. It sounded just liked them. After everything, why didn't they love him? Why was he still. Not. Good enough??
A sudden touch of warmth startled Winter, making him almost fall off his rock bed. Then he realized it was Qibli. The SandWing had warm, dusty-colored scales, beautiful black eyes that Winter couldn't help but get lost in, and a tired but worried expression.
"Are you okay?" Qibli asked sleepily.
Winter's heart fluttered, "I-I'm fine, leave me alone." he grumbled, facing away from Qibli.
"Then why are you crying and awake in the middle of the night?" The SandWing said smugly.
Winter hated when Qibli was smug. He hated it even more when Qibli was right. But Winter had to admit, his intelligence was impressive, therefore it was hard to be mad at the cute SandWing- wait- WHAT. No, Qibli isn't cute. Just thinking like that made Winter want to bite his claws off.
"It doesn't matter, just go away!" Winter snapped.
Suddenly, Qibli wrapped his wings around Winter, pulling him into a hug. Winter yelped, not expecting for the SandWing to hug him. Winter would never admit it, but he secretly liked it. The warmth Qibli made while hugging him made Winter feel at ease.
"...W-Why are you hugging me..." Winter murmured.
"Because," Qibli explained, "You clearly need it."
Winter scoffed, "I- I don't need a stupid hug, sand snorter!" he protested, refusing to admit he actually enjoyed the hug. (And Qibli was kind of right)
Qibli, in response, hugged the IceWing harder, "Tell me what's wrong. Then I'll let go. Deal?"
"F-fine!!" Winter sighed, "I just had a nightmare is all. There. You can let go now."
But Qibli didn't let go, "Just a nightmare, huh? C'mon, Winter, I know that can't be all. I've never seen you cry before." Qibli teased, although Winter heard a clear tone of concern in his voice.
"I...well...I just...what if my family..." Winter started to say, but was interrupted by more tears. He could hardly speak anymore, "T-they...hate m-me. I just...I just want t-to make them p-proud..."
Qibli intertwined his tail with Winter's, "It's okay. Just let it out."
"I-It's not fair! I-I try SO hard...and still I'm...j-just..." Winter sobbed quietly, "I-I'm just a loser..."
Qibli suddenly backed out of the hug to look at Winter, keeping their tails intertwined, "Winter, don't listen to them. What your family says isn't true! You aren't a loser, I promise. If they aren't proud of you, then they've got to have cows for brains."
Winter stared in shock at Qibli. He looked into his engulfing black eyes that made Winter get lost in them. He felt his cheeks get hot as shades of blue crept onto him. And he felt his heart flutter with joy as their lips touched. (Correct me if I'm wrong, but reptiles have lips so I think dragons do too??)
The two dragons pulled out of the kiss sooner than Winter would've liked, but he was still in awe about what just happened.
"So, um, would you mind I slept in your bed tonight...?" Winter asked awkwardly.
Qibli smiled, "Of course not."
The two dragons layed down on a sandy bed. Qibli put his wing around Winter, while Winter pressed his head against Qibli's chest. Winter was filled with indescribable warmth and happiness.
"Winter?"
"Yes?"
"I love you."
"I love you too."
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