in sickness and in death (totcf)

parental figures and dead loved ones

But that was weeks ago.

The story ends with Cale being in a coma for two weeks and in bed for almost a week after that.

And he was still. In. Bed. With a fucking dragon watching him like he fucked up, which he doesn't remember doing.

He really doesn't! Now, could everyone please stop staring at him like he is a misbehaving kid?!

—Who's gonna tell him?

—Not me.

—Believe me, I've tried.

—Frustration makes me hungry.

—*Sob, sob,* Cale~ You stupid, stupid i-idiot! I-I never met such a dense person in a-all my years of being a rock tower! Sob...

Eruhaben finally gave a long-suffering sigh, his eyes softening. Really, this unlucky bastard had a talent for giving even the youngest kids gray hair, let alone an ancient dragon like him. He really was getting too soft because of his age.

To the redhead's astonishment, the gold dragon had leaned over and hugged him, mumbling 'unlucky bastard' over and over again under his breath.

Cale felt a warm feeling at the base of his stomach. He ignored it and leaned into the dragon's embrace.

The very same dragon who had once called Cale his child.

I̶t̶ ̶f̶e̶l̶t̶ ̶s̶o̶ ̶w̶a̶r̶m̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶h̶u̶g̶.̶ ̶H̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶l̶i̶k̶e̶ ̶o̶n̶e̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶t̶h̶o̶s̶e̶ ̶p̶e̶o̶p̶l̶e̶ ̶w̶h̶o̶ ̶g̶o̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶r̶m̶t̶h̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶i̶r̶ ̶p̶a̶r̶e̶n̶t̶s̶.̶ ̶S̶o̶m̶e̶t̶h̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶K̶i̶m̶ ̶R̶o̶k̶ ̶S̶o̶o̶ ̶b̶a̶r̶e̶l̶y̶ ̶h̶a̶d̶,̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶C̶a̶l̶e̶ ̶H̶e̶n̶i̶t̶u̶s̶e̶ ̶l̶o̶s̶t̶.̶ ̶T̶h̶e̶y̶ ̶w̶e̶r̶e̶ ̶m̶e̶a̶n̶t̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶ ̶e̶a̶c̶h̶ ̶o̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶w̶a̶y̶.̶

T̶h̶e̶ ̶w̶o̶r̶l̶d̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶c̶r̶u̶e̶l̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶o̶t̶h̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶m̶.̶

Cale had unconsciously tensed up, his hand clinging to Eruhaben's robes. His face was apathetic, like it always was. There were no visible emotions on his face. The dragon didn't comment on any of this and just gently patted him on the back, holding onto him until Cale let go of Eruhaben on his own accord.

He asked a question after he sat back down on the bed.

"Can we get rid of this snake bastard?" His voice was perfectly elegant, and his stature was poised; not at all fitting the vicious words gently coming out of his mouth.

Cale took some time to think about it.

They didn't know whether or not a whole snake tribe was in cahoots with White Star or if it was just a single beastperson.

But Cale was suspicious about something. His run-in with the being only confirmed his previous theories.

"Eruhaben," Cale carefully started. "I think the White Star has another chimera in his reins."

$$$

After that, Eruhaben left to notify the others, leaving Cale to his own thoughts. Or, more accurately, giving Cale time to chat with the f̶r̶i̶e̶n̶d̶s̶ ancient powers in his mind.

—It was pretty obvious. How else would Cale ever lose a fight against a measly beastperson?

Super Rock grumbled like the existence of the chimera was more of a hindrance to Cale than a worry. Theif's husky voice joined in.