A Chance Meeting

Part 8

Author's Note: Thank you everyone for checking this story out. I really appreciate it! I hope you all enjoy this last part!

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The journey to finding the white dragon was tedious. You and Draco searched everywhere you could. Long days and dreamless nights rampaged your time now. It almost seemed inevitable that the white dragon would not turn up no matter where you looked.

You sighed from the exhaustion of the last few days. Gone was your flower crown from the time before, the flowers having long withered away. It felt so long ago that you and Draco were in that peaceful scenery.

"___? You doing alright?" Draco asked in concern. He currently was flying and you were sitting in your usual spot on his back.

"I'm fine. Just tired. I had hoped we would have found the dragon..." you replied rather groggily.

"I think we may need to take another break." Draco sensed you were more than exhausted. He too was admittedly growing weary. He could feel his wings aching, screaming for him to stop. His eyelids were even starting to droop.

He scanned the land below trying to find a comfortable spot to lay down in. Finding some grass that looked plush enough, he descended to the spot, helping you off his back when he landed.

"Thank you," you said tiredly. You felt you would collapse then and there from the constant flying and double checking areas for any dragon sightings. Your body urged you to rest. You sat down, carefully, and leaned up against Draco's chest, feeling his heartbeat steadily.

Draco looked down at you with furrowed brows. He could see that this journey was taking a toll on your body which made him feel awful, "We...can call it quits. I don't want you exhausting yourself anymore."

You looked up at him with widened eyes, "No! I said I would help you and I don't-"

"___, you're more than just a little tired. I could see you were nearly collapsing when I helped you off my back a few moments ago."

You slumped forward, propping up your arms to rest your chin in your hands. You didn't want to quit out on him like that. Were you beyond exhausted? Yes. You couldn't lie to yourself about that. You felt bad for making Draco practically take pity on you in your poor state. You were taught that sometimes you had to tough things out and this was no exception.

"___..." Draco tried getting your attention.

"Huh?" You snapped out of your thoughts.

He sighed, "Your wellbeing is important. I can't have you on the brink of passing out or falling ill. I don't want you to be overwhelmed anymore."

"But Draco I promised to help you. I can tough it out!" You tried to sound enthusiastic.

He shook his head, "Not if you're reaching your limits." He closed his eyes only to open them again to stare deeply into your eyes, "I appreciate everything you've done and have helped out with in this journey. We have done well with what little information we've been giving. I do not want this to cost your health though."

You were entranced by him and what he said. You appreciated how greatly he cared about you. You felt your eyes begin to water, "I'm sorry. I just feel like if I don't finish seeing this through with you, I'm letting you down. I know I need to take care of myself...but..."

"But nothing. We can take a much needed break and resume this later. There's nothing wrong with that. We both need to take care of ourselves. Even I am beginning to reach my limits." Draco hoped this would help ease your mind.