I've returned from the past

Chapter 32

Hadrian opened his eyes to two slitted green eyes and a face that had horns spilling from black hair and scales working along the jaw of a face he'd been familiar with for three years. Ekkathion was observing Hadrian closely and then sat back, his hands taloned and his magic softened.

"Ekkathion," Hadrian says, sitting up and Death chirps, reminding him the sleeping deity was still in his arms. He glances back at the dragon boy who sat there quietly- and he would because Ekkathion didn't know how to operate a human body it would seem.

{It feels strange.}

His voice was such a relief to hear and Hadrian sighed regardless of what happened and leant against the wall. The expressionless face of Ekkathion was slightly disturbing but that was to be expected. Expressions were learnt, to an extent. Ekkathion would have to learn a many knew things.

"How many things do you remember?"

{Everything. I remember... parts, of the boys life, with Fleamont. Do you want them?}

"No. That would only hurt more." Ekkathion nods, looking jerky with the movements before glancing out the window. To have this much control, Ekkathion must have been awake for a while. "Do you know how to shift?"

Green eyes soften but they're still just as intense as ever.

{You worry too much. I already went out. I didn't manage to wake you up before I did.}

His bones feel stiff enough that he could likely confirm the truth of that statement on his own.

"I missed you," he says softly. "So, so much."

It takes a moment of darkness rising from the ground to encompass the human form of Ekkathion, for a smaller version of Ekkathion to fill the space and press an inky black snout to his palm.

{I tried to find you and I never could. I followed you and never found you.}

Hadrian presses his forehead to the dragon, feeling cool scales against his skin.

"I'm sorry," he breathes, closing his eyes. "I'm sorry for asking you to fight I'm sorry for underestimating Neville and I'm sorry- I'm so so sorry that you had to pass like that."

{In battle with you? Hades... It's all I wanted. It's all any dragon wants.} The dragon huffs warm breath onto Hadrian and he feels at one again, at peace.

He would ask Ekkathion later what to do with Potter's body and memories but for now, the two of them were in no rush besides the fact it was almost Christmas and he has to save Riddle-

Ekkathion reaches around and plucks out scales from his hide and Hadrian jerks-

"Ekk-"

The dragon drops the scales into his hand and levels Hadrian with a stare.

{My strongest scales for your strongest wizard. Save him.} Hadrian stared at the scales and gripped them tightly.

"You are alright with this?"

{A few scales are a few scales, they will regrow.} He glances down to his forelegs where there was still some raw skin and Hadrian winced.

"I'm sorry Ekk, it was-"

{Angry, you were angry,} the dragon interrupts, {I do the same. We were one and the same for a while. It is okay. Are you okay, with giving up the body that was meant for you?}

"I don't want to be a dragon if I don't get to be with you." The dragon rolls his eyes but he can feel slight happiness from the dragon. He's not worried to try again and he's happy to finally have found him and Hadrian was back and everything was going to be just, fine.