Cold Night Air

Arzi sat on the roof of his caravan, staring up at the sky above his head. He let out a sigh as he watched the bright pink of sunset fade into a deep, dark blue.

It had been a difficult day. Illness was tearing it's way through the clan and several hatchlings had needed medical attention. Healing was always draining, but seeing kids sick and suffering hit harder than most. It left him feeling as if he needed a week of sleep just to feel alive again.

As he listened to the sound of night start up around him his mind wandered to his son. It had been days since he'd last seen Orion. He was avoiding home, not wanting to risk spreading whatever illness this was to his family. The loneliness was beginning to wear on him.

He wondered what Orion was up to, if he was having fun, if he was getting along with the other hatchling. He recalled when they had first joined the clan, how hard it was to integrate with other dragons after so long on their own. It had gotten better as time went on, but he still sometimes found it difficult living in a clan so large.

Even before he'd gone on the run he tended to keep to himself, and after the incident it had only become easier to isolate himself. He had told himself it was to protect his son, that if anyone found them they'd be torn away from each other, but now he wondered if some small part of himself wanted an excuse to leave.

He shook his head, trying to clear his mind. No, that couldn't be it. He loved the life he had before. He loved his studies, he loved his home, he loved what few friends he had. He loved his husband.

His thoughts turned to Steel, the bright, brilliant Spiral who had stolen his heart. He thought of the nights they shared, curled up under the stars. He thought of the time they had spent exploring, mapping every peak and valley of the Crystalspines together. He thought of all the effort Steel had put into finding a place for him and Orion to return to, everything he'd done to make sure they'd be safe. The joy on his face as he finally got to meet their son. The feeling of holding him again after so long apart, of being held in return.

Yes, he loved his husband. He loved his son. He loved the life he had now.

Still, as he stared up at the swirling galaxies above, a small part of his soul couldn't help but long for something more. The adrenaline of the run had awoken something in him, something he hadn't felt since he was a young dragon, chased from his home by a family that never cared for him.

It was foolish, thinking like this. He was barely beyond a hatchling at the time, and surviving on his own had been hell. He was lucky to be alive, to be here where he could help others, where he was needed and loved, instead of buried beneath the Ice of his flight.

The quiet flutter of wing on the cold night air caught his attention. He turned his head to see who it was, ready to collect his equipment if someone needed him. To his surprise he saw Steel, twisting through the air towards him

"Hey." Steel said as he landed next to him.

"Hey," Arzi replied, straightening up. "Is everything okay? Where's Orion?"

"Everything's fine. Orion is with Sunshine, he's okay."

"What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see you."

"It's not safe for you to be here, I could get you sick. You should leave."

"I don't care if I get sick. It's been days, I miss you.' Steel took a step towards him

"I miss you too,' he sighed, shifting in place. "Alright, come here." Arzi lifted his wing, opening a spot for Steel to curl up against his side.

Steel did exactly that, curling himself into tight coils at his side. Arzi turned his head back toward the stars. They sat in silence for a moment, appreciating the night around them.

"What are you thinking about?" Steel whispered, not wanting to disrupt the peace that had surrounded them.

"Nothing." Arzi replied. "I'm musing. "

Steel hummed in response, leaning deeper into him.

They slipped into silence again. The stars twinkled around them. Crickets chirped nearby.

"I was thinking..." Arzi started before trailing off.

"Yes?" Steel prodded.

"Maybe in a few years, once Orion is older, we could leave."

"What do you mean?"

"We could travel. Show him the world, see it ourselves."

Steel smiled up at him. "Maybe. I do miss exploring. I haven't made a new map in ages"

"We could show him the Sunbeam Ruins. He's already seen the Southern Isles, it's only right he see's where you come from too."

"I'd like that."

Arzi shifted, lying down and resting his head on the ground next to Steel. Steel unfurled himself and stretched out along his side, leaning his head against him.

"Someday, my dear. We have time, the world isn't going anywhere." Steel whispered.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

The world stilled around them as they drifted off to sleep.