After leaving the house, we head to the forest together.
Our destination will be the place where the dragon parents live, but we’re going the long way around.
“Phun, phun, phuun.”
“Nah, nah, nah.”
Tiltue and the baby dragon start humming as we walk.
We match the pace of the small Aratue, walking very slowly, but this is nice once in a while.
“What has Graham been up to lately?”
“Hn? He’s been all lovey dovey with that demon god girl and acting the fool.”
“Fool…?”
“Walking around with their arms together, showing off!”
Like a high schooler with his first girlfriend?
It sounds like he has his head in the clouds, but that’s just how happy he is.
“…Do you want to do the same?”
“Eh? Can we?”
“Yes. We’re this kid’s parents right now.”
The moment she hears that, she jumps into my arms.
She clings to me a lot, but she looks really happy, because this is different.
“Mufufufu.”
“Nah?”
“It’s fine.”
Aratue sounds happy, probably because Tiltue looks happy.
Someone looking at us now might really think we’re a family.
“Do you want me to hold you?”
I ask Aratue, who shakes its head no.
Aratue keeps walking boldly and slowly with those tiny steps, looking adorable. If this world had internet, this would go viral.
“…”
“What?”
Tiltue stares at Aratue, and then lets go of me.
And then she walks along with Aratue.
“If I’m a mother, I have to walk along with the baby.”
“Nah.”
“And protect Aratue against anything that comes.”
Aratue looks up, and Tiltue smiles gently.
I guess she isn’t a kid anymore…
She’s a lot different compared to when I met her. She’s growing.
I walk next to Aratue too.
“You’re already a proper mother.”
“You think so too darling!? Fufufu, that puts me a step in the lead!”
We walk for a while, until we enter a clearing.
Apparently this is the meeting place, because I see a dragon sleeping.
The sun is warm, and the dragon looks to be feeling well.
“Hey! We’re back.”
“Nah.”
“…!?”
When Tiltue yells, the parent dragon quickly raises its head.
The dragon looks relieved, with a gentle expression upon seeing Aratue, but also looks at Tiltue with reverence.
And after looking at me… I see clear fear in its face.
“Come on, that expression is a shock to me.”
“Every monster in this forest knows you, darling. Especially more intelligent ones like dragons.”
“Well, I guess it makes sense, considering I hunt.”
It’s a world of survival of the fittest, but I might be a dangerous invasive species to this ecosystem.
“Nah nah nah.”
Aratue ignores both our shock, and walks forward.
Tiltue follows Aratue, and holds it.
“Let’s play again another time, Aratue.”
“Nah.”
It lets out a cute noise, probably as a sign of affection, and rubs its cheek against Tiltue’s.
It’s such a charming sight.
“So nice…”
I think, when Tiltue gestures for me to come closer.
The parent looks troubled, but doesn’t move.
I don’t want to scare it even further, so I walk slowly as Tiltue delivers Aratue.
“Give it a goodbye hug too.”
“Yes.”
I look at its red eyes as I take it, and think they’re incredibly beautiful and pure.
It brings its head closer, and against mine.
“Later.”
“Nah.”
I put the baby dragon down, that makes a noise and then walks over to its parent.
It grabs its parents arm, and then climbs on its head.
Snow does the same to me a lot. I should give her a ride on my shoulders when I get back.
“Nah.”
I wave, and Aratue waves back.
The parent spreads its wings, and the trees around it shake a lot, as it flies off.
“Let’s go back too.”
“Yes!”
Tiltue is satisfied with us acting like a family, and sounds bright and cheerful.
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Thanks for the treat.