Crown of Dahlias

Evolution

Val was stunned. He couldn't stop looking at his mate's non-existant injury until Kieren bumped his snout against Val's cheek, placing his foot down. Kieren felt relief at no shooting pains from his foot, trotting in a circle around his Drake to show him he was fine.

Kieren, my one, Val sounding breathless, you are breaking all conforms of Drakain. You're awe-inspiring. Extraordinary. If there is one thing I should believe in this world it is that you were meant to be in our lives. To change things. I love you.

Kieren's heart was a fluttering mess, wings shyly flapping, bashfully looking down. Val's words made him feel happy, wanted. Even though he was following his instincts, Val believed in Kieren. The Drakain could feel that beyond a shadow of a doubt from his Drake. Looking up shyly at his white gold mate, Val quickly looked down, wings tucked at his sides. Kieren felt confused by his Drake's behavior. Val had been so relieved to be able to touch him once they cleared a few things up, his Drake proving every moment how much he loved Kieren. At that thought, Kieren's heart ached. His Drake didn't think Kieren loved him anymore.

Val, Kieren's voice so gentle, moving to stand in front of his Drake who had not lifted his head to meet his Drakain's eyes.

I understand why you did the things you did. It still hurt, very much, but I do understand. I still have questions and I would like to stay out here a little longer, with you, before heading back to our zeymah.

Kieren felt a little bit of relief from his mate at the mention of going back to their family. Val hadn't lifted his head though, entire demeanor downcast. Kieren's heart ached, feeling through their bond at how sad Val was. Scared about their bond, the self-loathing he had against himself. Kieren could practically hear the words on repeat in Val's mind. Of hurting his Drakain, his life mate. For being so blind. Kieren shook his head. His silly Drake. Even during their fight, Kieren still loved him. Still loved their zeymah.

My Drake, I was mad at you. Very angry. But Val, I can still feel you through our bond. Drakain are empathic, but you have proven from the beginning and even now, how much you love me. So my one, please stop being angry with yourself. I do not like you hurting just as much as you do not like me hurting. Let's continue to strengthen our bond. We'll both make mistakes Val, it's inevitable. Even though we are soul bonds, we still have to work together to keep it strong.

Kieren could feel his Drake's understanding through the bond, his mate feeling a little unsure. There was still a sadness that felt like a chasm within his Drake. Kieren's heart sinking to his stomach. Val's scales looking lackluster and very pale. Not the beautiful unrefined white gold color he remembered. There was deep exhaust within his mate's face, Kieren slowly pressing his forehead against Val's bowed one.

My silly Drake, I still love you.

Val immediately tucked his snout against Kieren's neck beneath his jaw, sad, heart wrenching croons and warbles leaving his Drake. Kieren couldn't help but let his own sad croons out, trying to give his mate a sense of comfort. The sun had dipped in the sky, just kissing the horizon. Dark purples were radiating out from it, gray clouds dense and overlaying most of the sky. The two dragons had ended up laying chest to chest, tails and legs entangled. Kieren's snout was under Val's jaw, the Drake wearing himself out.

Kieren was curious. A dragon had a large rib cage, their abdomens concave and lean. Long necks with frills that were normally flush there. Muscular legs that could easily crush things underfoot, though they weren't great runners. They made up for it by being undefeatable in the air.