Scales and Hooves (BxB) (Unicorn X Dragon)

Ch. 21 The Price to Pay

"Y'know, I hate you sometimes," Zion said, tugging his belt to tighten it around his waist and buckling it into place.

Molten cleared his throat. "That's not what you were saying a few minutes ago," he smirked. Who knew unicorn semen could be so effective at clearing throats of not only slimy substances, but pain.

Zion looked at him, ignoring his remark. "Did it work?"

"My mouth, or your cum?" Molten grinned, looking up at him. Zion snorted, his ears low, not appreciating Molten's jokes. He took the hint. "Well, I can talk," he said, giving Zion his hand. Zion placed his hand in his, smiling softly.

"I've been worrying about you for the past two days." He started. "Worrying about whether you'd wake up; whether I'd get to hear your voice again..." He fell silent and sat on the bed. Molten gave him a comforting smile and ran his thumb over Zion's knuckle, running over his engagement ring. Zion smiled back at him, cradling his mate's cheek.

"I love you very much, Molten. I really, really do... And I can't lose you," His voice left him as he felt another lump form in his throat, though he had no more tears left to cry; all he'd done was cry since the accident.

"You won't," Molten assured, bringing his hand to his lips. "And I can't lose you either," he continued stroking his hand and giving him a soft smile of comfort.

*-*-*-*

Molten sighed loudly as he sunk into the hot bathtub, relaxing his scaly body—all but his right arm, which rested on the lip of the bathtub to keep the cast dry. He had just come out of a mild shower, to wash off the soot and dirt still on his body. Zion had helped him all the way, and the warm air of the bathroom had helped his breathing.

Zion stepped into the water and sat beside Molten.

"It's nice to be clean," Molten sighed, putting his arm around Zion.

"I bet it is; we spent a good while in there trying to get off all the dirt," Zion said, moving around to find the right position. Molten put his arm around him and kissed his head.

"Thank you," he whispered, trying to lift Zion's thigh off the floor of the bathtub—as wide as the bathtub was, he wanted Zion on his lap.

"It's the least I could do," Zion said, taking Molten's hint. He scooted onto Molten's lap, leaning against Molten's chest and resting his head on his shoulder. Molten kissed his head and released a purr as he rubbed his head against Zion's.

*-*-*-*

"How are you feeling today, future husband?" Zion asked as he stopped by Molten's bed, bearing a tray of Nutella on toast and tea. Molten sat up in his bed.

"Ok, but still feeling a bit worn," he said. It had been a few days since he'd woken up and his strength hadn't fully returned yet.

Zion placed the tray on his lap and sat on the bed. "Oh, yeah?"

"Don't mock my injuries," Molten said, acting hurt. "If it weren't for me—"

"—Yes, I know, I wouldn't be alive," Zion said, cutting him off. "And I'm very grateful, My Hero," he said, leaning in and pecking Molten on the lips. Molten smiled and shook his head. "So, what do you mean by worn?" He asked. Molten looked down at his hands. He lifted a hand and clicked his finger. Small blue sparks flew from his fingertips.

"I think I've run out of magic..." He sighed, deflated.

Zion looked at him. He knew Molten had used up a lot of magic by trying to protect him... he just hoped that it wasn't all of it.

"It's only been a few days, I'm sure you'll get your magic back soon." He said lying a hand on Molten's, in a hope to brighten his mood. He looked at him.

"Yeah... Yeah, I suppose, good things come to those who wait, right?" Molten replied and took a piece of toast from the tray.

*-*-*-*

"Get back to bed!" Zion ordered, pointing demandingly at the doorway behind Molten. They stood in the small self-service kitchen in the castle.

It had been over a week since Molten had woken up and he had finally found the strength to get out of bed and walk quietly down two flights of stairs, only for Zion to stop him, who was already making him breakfast.

"I've been stuck in that bed all week, I needed to get out of it," Molten complained, ignoring Zion's demands and walking over to the toaster.

"And the doctors said you need to take it easy," Zion stated bluntly.

"I am," Molten said in his smart tone.

"You walked down two flights of stairs. That isn't what I call taking it easy."

Molten reached for the half-empty jar of Nutella, grabbed a spoon and a knife from the cutlery drawer and waited for the toast to pop up. "I can run over five K on a treadmill, and that's my usual three-times-a-week workout."

Zion huffed. "Fine, but I want you back in bed before the doctors come to check on you," he stated firmly as if he were his mother when Molten would have a sick day.

Molten grinned to himself in success and layered on Nutella on his toast. He held the grin as he walked past Zion and pecked him on the cheek. "That's a whole two hours," he remarked as he left the room.

"Why did I let him win?" Zion asked himself.