[A4A] Blooming Flowers pt. 2 [Fantasy] [Dragons] [Comfort] [Healing] [Mild Angst] [Gruff, but secretly tender]

This is a multipart script that I may end up posting more of. It's also my first attempt so I am looking for constructive feedback. If you like non-human speakers and listeners then this might be for you! It is okay to monetize if you feel so inclined.

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You start to stir. You have no idea where you are. Your head is pounding and flashes of pain spark about your body. You open your eyes and glance around. You find yourself within a nest in a forest clearing. The trees grow up in a domed roof. Beyond, blue sky and sun pours in and gives the space a calming glow of light. You smell the fresh smell of wildflowers about your body as you look around. Confusion still grips you as you hear a voice call out.

Finally awake?

You spin to see a familiar dragon resting a bit away. It's the same dragon that saved your life before. You stare at him in wonder and confusion.

I can clearly see your confusion. Do not fret. This is my den. I carried you here after you fell unconscious from your injuries. It must have been four days now.

You ask if you are still alive

What a silly question. Of course you remain among the living. Or is your opinion of the afterlife so quaint? A cobbled together nest of trees and leaves. And I could not imagine you would prefer my company over your departed clanmates. No, you still yet live. I swore no harm would befall you here. I intend to honor that.

You glance toward your injured leg. A long scar down the length of it is new and it feels quite tender. However, it is healed and you are still shocked that such a thing could happen in only four days. You turn to Aggromino and ask how. 

He closes his eyes and hums, trying to figure out how to answer your question. 

How? Oh, you are asking how you healed from such a fatal injury. Hmmm, well-

Before he can answer, your stomach growls loudly. You have suddenly become aware of how hungry you are. Aggromino chuckles kindly. 

Seems like your stomach has other more pressing concerns. Look there, you can have the remainder of my kill from my morning hunt. It is by no means fresh but it is far from spoiled.

You try to stand to walk over to the meal, but on your first step, your leg buckles. 

Woah, woah, there. Take it slow. You may no longer have any external injuries, but damage like that is not completely mendable overnight. Here, would you care to lean on me? I will ensure you do not fall.

You jolt away, your leg giving you a shock of pain, and growl a warning at him.

Seems like you would not care to. But do not let that keep you, go on, eat.

You don't hesitate to feast, feeling quite starved. Aggromino grunts approvingly. 

It is a healthy sign to see that you have such an appetite. You must eat to get your strength back. But remember to chew properly. And try not to scarf it down so quickly, if you cannot keep it down, it will not do you any good.

He chuckles again.

Seems I can save my breath, you are not heeding my words anyway.

The den falls quiet as you eat. Soon the meal is all gone. You turn to Aggromino who has been watching over you the whole while. 

He smiles as your eyes meet. 

Feel better now your belly is full? 

You nod. 

Good. Although, you look positively savage with all the viscera about your maw and face.

You lick around your lips to try and clean it.

It goes a way up your snout, mind if I help you clean it? 

He approaches, but you cower back. A sharp stick of fear causes you to flinch away. He notices and does not press.

Alright, alright, I shall keep my distance. It was not my intention to startle you. But that is twice now, I shall refrain from asking a third time.

Suddenly, the oddity of everything comes back to you. You again try to remember what happened to bring you here. You look at Aggromino and ask again how you lived.

Oh, yes. Your earlier question. I suppose it starts with what you remember. Do you remember fleeing the destruction of your clan?

You answer in the affirmative.

Then do you recall claiming your death was what Fate demanded?

His tone turns a little harder, a bit sarcastic. You again nod. He scoffs.

Then, seeing as you had already forfeited your life, it was made available for the taking. So I did. Your life is mine now. I took it.

He says this as if it makes perfect sense, when clearly it doesn't. You say that doesn't answer anything.

What do you mean? It makes perfect sense. You threw your life away, why can I not take it for my own.

You mention that “taking someone’s life” usually doesn’t mean that.

I know what it normally means to take a life. I was merely trying to be, you know, witty or cool. What? Did it not come across as such?

Aggromino’s demeanor loses his composure a bit. He flounders trying to justify his language. It’s comical and breaks some of the more serious tone the conversation was slipping towards. You giggle at him.

Oh. Now you are simply laughing at me, joy.

He’s sarcastic, but humorful. He shakes his head and sighs in resignation. When he continues, he seems to be answering earnestly.

No, you deserve an honest answer. Not my half-cocked attempt at humor. My apologies…. When we met, you were gravely injured. And I had composed myself to only be beside you during your final moments. However, you started talking about your Fate-

He spits the word.

- and I lost my temper. I… intervened. Drastically. And I want you to know, I am… sorry.

His words show his resolve and sincerity.

These past few days I have been thinking about my actions. I know I selfishly forced myself into your life. I trampled over your decisions and resolve. Perhaps even those of your entire clan. For all that, I am sorry. Truly.

But I cannot bring myself to be sorry that I saved your life. I cannot consider feeling even a single drop of remorse that you still draw breath.

When you told me so dispassionately that it was your Fate to die that day. I, I could not accept that! I would not accept that! I care not if it seems arrogant! Or selfish! I decided long ago that I would not allow Fate, or those who blindly follow it, to have any say over my life and my decisions! I will never let Fate decide my path for me!

His words are pained and his face is one of anguish. He takes a shaky breath and composes himself.

My apologies, it seems I only continue to lose my temper. I have never well understood those who blindly follow Fate, no matter their reasons.

However, it would be most naive of me if I did not address how my own actions impact the lives of others. Which, consequently, have now led us both here. I know I must take responsibility. You were not quite lucid after I healed you, but I offered you my home and protection, and my offer stands. While you remain here, I shall care for you. As long as you wish to.

There is silence between you both for a moment after Aggromino’s offer. You contemplate everything he has told you. Suddenly the emotions that have piled up within you that you have been pushing down all this time burst out: being told that your clan was doomed to die, struggling with the resignation that the rest of your clan felt, running despite the foretelling, being attacked, to finally being healed by Aggromino. Tears burst forth from you as you try and process everything all at once. It’s an ugly cry. You hear Aggromino stand from where he was laying but he does not approach. There’s much concern in his voice.

Tears! Blast it! Are you hurt? I- Are you not well? What can I do? Tell me, please.

You thank him.

You are thanking me? No. I do not deserve your gratitude. I only acted selfishly! Rashly! My motivations were not out of kindness or altruism. You should save your words.

You thank him again through tears.

You are so truly adamant about thanking me? That is, I- I do not know what to say. If you feel you must, then I shall not rebuff you further. But please, put that aside. Let us worry about you now. Your tears are not stopping. Tell me, where does it hurt? What can I do?

Through the tears, you have one request. You just want to be held by another being. You don’t want to be alone right now. Not after everything that has happened.

Hold you? You want me to come close? If that is your earnest request, I will honor it, but are you quite certain? After causing you to flinch twice, I am apprehensive of making it a third.

You confirm again. He nods.

Very well.

Aggromino rises from where he rested a few paces away. He nears, but slowly. He seems wary of your state, but you can tell it comes from worry for you. He lays beside you and rolls on his side, opening up his arms to let you near.

Here, roll close to me. I’ll put my forelegs around you.

You spin into his embrace. His foreleg and paw slides around you and against your chest. He pulls you to him and you feel his presence down your back. He nuzzles his head against your shoulder.

Is this alright?

You nod.

Good. There, there, I have you. I assure you that you are safe here. Cry if you must, for as long as you wish, you will find no shame from me. I-, I know how it feels to suddenly find yourself alone.

His words are somber and kind, as your tears come back in full. Aggromino softly coos in your ear telling you it will be alright. After a while he curls his wing over you both as the afternoon sun slips into dusk. When sleep finally takes you, he’s still holding you tenderly. Your dreams are fuzzy and indistinct.