A Monster Like Me

Just a Taste

From the shadowy comfort of his cave, Chuuya listened to the world slowly wake up. Birds sang as the sun rose, mixing with the soft sound of Dazai's breathing. His unique scent blended with the familiar aroma of cool stone, pine, and precious metals in a way that just seemed right. This isn't just my home now... it's Dazai's. I hope I can make him happy here. 

Dazai had been on Chuuya's mind all night as he shifted between wakefulness and a half dreaming state. He'd been worried when he heard him walking around late at night, but the man hadn't carried any trace of fear or distress, so Chuuya had let him be. With a heavy sigh, Chuuya shifted in his golden bed, resigning himself to a sleepless night.

 Dazai awoke long after the birds, stretching and yawning as he faced a new day. Chuuya's ears perked up immediately, and he rose to his feet to greet him. 

 "Mornin' Dazai," Chuuya said sleepily as he emerged from deeper in the cave. Act natural and don't say anything about what happened yesterday, Chuuya thought as he stretched and yawned, feigning a casual attitude.

Dazai looked up as he heard Chuuya's voice, and despite his best efforts, a shiver went down his spine when he saw that wet, pink maw open. "Morning, Chuuya!" He replied cheerfully. "Sleep well?"

"Yeah," I didn't sleep at all last night, "you?"

I had weird dreams and was sleepwalking, "pretty good, I like my new bed. It's more comfy than your tail~"

"Is that so?" Chuuya replied coolly, staring down at Dazai with an unimpressed expression. "I hope it was worth battling monsters to get."

"Oh, it was. It's nice to have my own space; I prefer it, actually." Please go away, you make me feel weird things and I'm too tired to deal with them right now, Dazai thought, turning around and acting like Chuuya wasn't there.

This is about the kiss, then... I had hoped- no, that was foolish. I should just leave. Chuuya cleared his throat, shuffling his forepaws awkwardly. "I'm going out today, and I probably won't be back till late. Will you be alright on your own?"

"I'll be fine, got plenty to do anyway," Dazai replied, sitting back on his bed and gesturing to the crates and barrels he had yet to unpack.

"Well, good. Stay out of my stuff and don't get into trouble," Chuuya said, studying Dazai's expression. He wasn't close enough to smell his emotions, but was reluctant to get any closer when Dazai was acting so closed off. He hesitated slightly, waiting for Dazai to say something, but he was only met with cold garnet eyes. Reluctantly, the dragon turned and trudged out of the cave. 

Dazai's shoulders slumped as Chuuya left, and he let out a long breath. The dragon was making him feel some unusual emotions: emotions he had never experienced before. He flopped back on his bed and ran a hand through his hair in frustration. What is wrong with me? Those desires are so weird and unnatural; who sees a dragons mouth and thinks "I want to get closer?" Dazai berated himself, doing his best to stamp out those feelings and just try to maintain the tentative friendship he'd so recently found. Easier said than done, and even the distraction of setting up his room didn't distract enough. 

I feel a craving, but not for alcohol. My heart speeds up when he's near me, yet I'm not afraid. What the hell is this feeling? Am I maybe... no, it can't be. Someone like me can't experience an emotion like that. Yet, thoughts of Chuuya in both human and dragon form invaded his mind, depriving him of a moments rest. Things that had seemed insignificant before: the touch of scales against his hand, the sound of Chuuya's laughter, the serenity of brushing his mane; it all replayed in his mind in vivid detail. Dazai was haunted by the ghost of Chuuya's touch, his tongue on his skin-