A day to remember

Connected.... it'd only been a year but the bond formed felt like it'd been there since the birth of the small stone colored hatchling. Small, lanky little Nova was a fireball through and through and he had been found nearly starved out here in these harsh lands; Still to this day, the little hatchling didn't wish to speak up about where he was from or how he'd ended up in the hostile bog that Cobalt himself called home but all he knew was that he needed to scoop up and protect the small dragon. The reptile himself was a burly beast, tusk fanged and pretty dangerous in appearance to anyone who was unfortunate enough to stumble upon him... but his heart was made of gold and as much as he hated it, he was falling for this small, clumsy little baby, an intense paternal bone in his rugged body yearned to do nothing but protect like some mother dragoness with her recent brood but... He scolded himself from coddling the child- One day he'd be gone. One day soon came. Cobalt had been closely watching a pack of dragons travelling through the plains closest to the bog's reach, they took up camp there and seemed to have hatchlings running around with them and closely protected by the adults in the pack. It was risky but they seemed to not be of the guilds, instead living off the land, living like dragons once did- A healthy life style. It'd be perfect for the know it all little bean he was watching and it brought him joy to know he'd finally be able to see Nova off, living a healthy, good life with others more like him... Cobalt pulled back and scoffed quietly to himself, feeling his heart tear at the thought of Nova leaving their little home but... it was for Nova's good. He needed a family... he deserved a family.

It had him sold and he'd been watching long enough to feel like the hatchling would get along pretty well in the strange flock, of course he stood his distance to not spook off the group so he couldn't formally meet them but it was early morning when he got back and picked up the sleepy dragon curled up in his nest, gathering him up in massive jaws and carrying him through the lands. When he woke, he was seated on Cobalt's back to keep close and they stopped every so often for food until they reached the edge of the territory.

The scent of the pack was everywhere and Cobalt felt his heart was heavy as he set the little one down onto a brush as close as possible and explained he needed to go... they were his new family and would take care of him from now on. Nova chirped quietly, worry on his face, doubt in his gut and all the tough bravado that Cobalt had seen up until now was gone... He looked like an injured animal of prey being forced to limp into an open field and Cobalt couldn't take it and with his snout, he shoved him forward out of the brush so he couldn't turn around. Nova toppled out, looked around meekly and approached... Cobalt didn't look any longer than it took for the adults to notice him moving towards them, he trotted in his stride, head down and eyes shut tight in order to try to keep from tearing up. Heavy heart, he slid down a slope and tried to put his mind forward- thinking of returning home where he could do so much without a child wandering around- You know like... Clean up alone... sleep alone... go back to his empty home. Damn. Cobalt snorted- he was being selfish, THIS was what was best for the little guy! He'd thank him when he was an adult.

"AHHHHH, COBALT! COBALT HELP ME!" Panic. Heart skipping a beat and no thoughts whatsoever, nothing was on his mind except the action to RUN to Nova. What was wrong!? What happened!? Cobalt skid into the clearing just in time to see the small dragon being knocked down by a heavy male and laughed at by the small hatchlings in the pack. Two giant forepaws crushed him into the dirt and trampled him- Cobalt shuddered, in shock... what was happening, WHY was this happening, what could he do to ensure Nova had a chance to still live a good life- CRR'ACK That was it. The crack of bone, the holler of absolute pain from the teen dragon as he was slammed into yet again like some chew toy... Cobalt understood his reason in life all at once, he understood why Nova had ended up on his territory and no one elses. Nova always had a chance to live a good life- "YOU-" His voice cleared the opening as he stepped fully out of the brush and his words turned into a savage, earth shuddering growl, evolving into a demented, hell bound roar as he spoke louder and louder until he was roaring at full blast. "YOU- Disgusting... You slimy... YOU WORTHLESS LIZARD-" He ran up to them, his large paws thundering against the ground as he neared them and bared teeth, slow but threatening enough to send most of them running except the top males. "LAY ANOTHER SCALE ON MY SON AND I WILL MAKE YOU REALIZE THAT YOU ARE NOTHING BUT FILTHY RATS AND I WILL TEAR YOUR SPINES OUT!" Horns slammed into the male standing idle on Nova- if out of shock or defiance, he stood no chance as he was thrown through the air and skid across the dirt. Many of the dragons at this point had fled but he remained, snarling and hissing like an alligator. The remaining dragons were males, they arched their wings out and came at him quickly, one after the other going for his throat and his wings, tearing, spraying blood, hissing and roaring out like the clash of titans but-

Cobalt captured one and pressed down hard enough to feel his prey's bone pop and crack below his weight. Without hesitation or thought, he drew back and delivered a final bite to do as he promised and watch the others flee as their packmates beheaded body slurched to the floor with it's spine torn clear from the skull and bent at an odd angle. So bloodied, beaten down and full of pride in his recognition that today he was a father- Cobalt roared loud enough that anyone within this territory and the next would flee with tails tucked. Nova- Turning, he quickly gathered up Nova and searched for proper leaves and bark to splint the injury and bandage it, cuddling him close for a moment with nothing but quiet apologies before kissing all on his little face and ushering soft words of comfort. "Lets go home, Nova. I'll catch you the biggest bird I can find for you- I'll take you to the market with me like you asked and you can have any thing you want to turn my home into your home- Just please... Please be okay.