Ballad of Flowers

Chapter 6

                As Orchid woke, she would've sworn she saw a dark figure with a white face and spiffy suit on, smiling at her. It quickly disappeared after she blinked twice, Orchid rubbing her forehead as she went back to Alex's embrace, purring softly. After waiting for sleep to return for about an hour, she decided to instead wake Alex from his deep sleep, lightly shaking him. Slowly blinking awake, he gazes at Orchid's somewhat anxious expression and sits up, hugging her. "What's wrong hun? Bad dream?" She looks down with small spots of white creeping onto her scales, shuddering. "I-I think I saw something over there... Something tall, dark, and wearing a suit..." She points at the corner the tall figure appeared in, a small black smudge of what looked like ink where it was standing. "Well... Do you want me to make sure it's not there, or do you feel safe?" Alex asks, concern clouding onto his expression, only wanting the best for the small lovable dragon. "I-I'm not really sure... It's just... It feels dark over there... an aura of pain and fear..." She whimpers, clutching onto his chest tighter. Her heartbeat was fast and breath speedy as her fear clouded her senses, Alex soon picking up on this and consoling her. He gets up and inspects the corner, not seeing the smudge as if it was non-existent. Orchid looks comforted as he returns, purring again as the fear faded from the depths of her mind, it's grasp no longer effecting her thoughts.

After a while of waiting, she checked the time. "10:37 AM? How did it get so late?" She thought to herself, getting up and walking to the fridge. "You hungry? I can make some waffles, or I could possibly make some French toast... Really just depends on what you'd like..." Orchid asks, digging for the milk and a few mangoes, looking up after grabbing them both. "Waffles sound nice... Thanks!" He barks from the hammock, yawning. She nods and closes the fridge, grabbing some pancake mix from the cupboard, mixing it with the milk in a large plastic bowl, quietly humming as she worked the mixture until it was smooth, warming up a small waffle iron as she did. After doing this, she finally cooks the batter on the iron before serving the spongy delights on two plates, cutting up a mango and setting it on the side. Lastly, she pours some syrup onto them and hands one to Alex, setting a fork on the plate with a small clink of resistance. The two practically devour the stacks, both rather hungry at the time. After finishing, they sigh and set the dishes in the sink to be washed, the temporary joy of procrastination washing upon their souls.

Not too long after their late breakfast, Orchid receives a text from Apple saying he will be home shortly, and the couple look at each other, knowing they would have to bid farewell soon. After sharing a final tender kiss that lasted for a minute or two, feeling like hours to the two lovers. Alex packs the few belongings he brought and heads up the ladder, waving at Orchid with a small frown spread on his snout. "See you soon hopefully... Love you..." She looks disappointed as well, turning a light blue. "Love you too..." He hops out and closes the hatch behind him gently, slowly making his way back home...