Marvel Imagines pt. 5

Heavy weighs the crown (2) ❤️‍🔥 Royal!AU

Song: Ramin Djawadi - the power of prophecy

Series warnings: character deaths, trauma, angst, fluff, betrayal, fantasy, dragons.

Short chapter but more to come!
•••

Things have been going good between you and Steven. You've been civil to each other and dare you say there has been the slightest indication of an actual friendship.

You enjoy his company after having been on your own for such a long time. It's quite nice having someone there to talk to and to ride dragons with. And those dragons of yours have accepted Steve to be no threat to you.

Azura rumbles deep from within her chest as to catch your attention again. You smile at her while your hand runs over her scales again, earning a satisfied whine from her.

It's still early in the morning, it's chilly and moist in the cave Azura and your two other dragons, Sloan and Osiris, spend their days eating and resting. Even playing, which could be heard by the entire castle because of the happy noises they make.

Since the loss of your first child, then second child and husband at the same time, you've come down here a lot to calm the mind and to check on the dragons you see as your children now.

The environment always has calmed you and Anthony rarely came with you when you wanted to visit, but Peter? He loved the dragons and it's like they miss him every day, perhaps they feel the sadness and the void Anthony and Peter left behind. 

'I figured I would find you here...'

You startle a little and he immediately apologizes to you for scaring you. 'You are lucky my dragons like you... if they don't they can get quite defensive...'

'It's said a dragon can feel the true intentions of a person...if they mean harm then I am sure your dragons would step in front of you to defend you. Mine has done that plenty of times...' Steve replies while laying his hand against Azura, right next to yours.

'What's he or she like?'

'It's a his name is Syrax...'

'Pretty name...' you gaze at him, not sure if he even notices his hand moving closer to yours every second.

'Hè is beautiful, big and strong... scales are pitch black but he has eyes like sapphires, I think he would like you very much...' he comments.

'We shall see then... I am guessing you're planning on moving Syrax to live here? With the rest?'

'I didn't actually think you would allow, it's own of the reasons I didn't travel on dragonback.. I was informed-'

'That I didn't ride anymore, that I planned to have them all gone from this world?' You finish his sentence for him and he nods. 'People talk... and I do not blame them after what happened to Anthony and Peter... the realm was... chaos for a while...'

'You however seem to have figured it out.. in the end.. the kingdom seems safe and happy..'

'Yes, so it seems...' you smile at him, now noticing his hand covering yours.

He turns his head and immediately pulls his hand back. It sends a pang of hurt through your chest, that's odd.

'So what are you up to at this hour, Steve?'

'I could not catch any sleep.. then I went to find if you were also awake, if you weren't I was going to come down here anyway... I like to be around dragons, they calm me...'

'Me as well...' you smile. 'That's why I haven't given up on them... I know dragons are not responsible for te actions of those who ride them...'

'That is a wonderful perspective to have... one I also share with you... my father.. he has not been kind to our people.. one of the reasons I look for a queen who can do better... seems I found one..'

'It appears so...'

'He sees dragons as an instrument of war and I have always hated him for it.. that's why I hid Syrax for a long time.. the staff helped me raise him...' You soot a tear running down his cheek.

Your feet take you to him until you're almost touching. His eyes grow big before dialing down to just looking at you. Your hand reaching up to wipe his tear. 'Know that dragons will always be cherished here.. not used in war.. unless necessary, but I haven't even experienced any situation in which I'd have to.. and I do hope it won't come to that...'

'I have the same hope, Y/n...' He responds and you nod. 'We should probably return... or we will both smell like dragon when your parents will show for the wedding..'

'Ah yes, the wedding, I almost forgot..' He chuckles as he leads you out of the caves. Your arm hooked with his.

'Your knights are very protective of you... I'd say they have dragon sowed in them..' you comment and he chuckles.

'Yes well, we grew up together..'

'So like me and Sharon?'

'Exactly...' he confirms.

It stays silent for a little bit after that. You're both enjoying the morning weather, the soft breeze, the smell of dew, each other's company..

It makes you wonder if you're capable of loving someone again after Anthony, it makes you wonder if you've already began the fall that everyone talks about. But this feels so different from Anthony, that took years to develop, how could this go so fast?

Perhaps it's because the two are so different, Anthony did not share your love for dragons, but you two shared your love for each other and that was enough. But with Steve it feels like he understands you better, he's not scared of dragons and shares a passion for them, you're similar in a way that you didn't experience with your late husband. Then why does it feel as if you're betraying him?