Part two

Chapter 11-two weeks later

It was mid-morning on a Saturday I hadn't seen Serafin in a while, life had caught up that was to say school, homework and my social life given that Serafin needed to be kept secret I wouldn't exactly say sorry going to the forest to see my secret dragon friend. So when I finally found some spare time I went down to the clearing we could always talk telepathically given that we here soul bonded but it wasn't the same, this also meant that we had to come to an arrangement when it came to conversations face to face, we could always felt each other’s presence and sense vague emotions but there was no digging around inside the others head, unlike Runetide and Alex’s connection which was more akin to texting. I sat there on the mossy rock when I arrived in the clearing Serafin look asleep I reached out tentatively, she was fast asleep so with a reference to work with I pulled out my sketch pad and began to work on full-body sketch of Serafin as she lay there, the sun shining off her scales her eyes closed she had changed her appearance since I had last seen her she had natural bone-like armour-like ridges on her shins and forearms her chest now had small bust covered by the same bone like natural armour, as I watched her chest slowly rising and falling she looked beautiful, I had just started to sketch out her head when she stirred.

‘Don't move’ I said. 

‘What’s going on?’ Serafin said her eyes darting around the clearing looking for danger, then she spotted my sketch pad. 

‘Oh’ she said, ‘so that's what my favourite human doing today, drawing me in my sleep.’ 

‘At least I wasn't watching you sleep; I was sketching you it’s completely different.’ 

‘Right’ Serafin said, sarcastically. 

‘Love the new look by the way.’

‘Aww, thanks, Farren.’

‘Now would you mind just laying there for a few more minutes.’

‘Sure,’ Serafin said.

So, Serafin just lay there while sketched her eventually, I declared that it was, for now, done. 

Serafin sat up stretching, ‘can I see?’ 

‘Sure’ I said holding up the pad for her to see, she leaned in close.

‘Would you mind if I?’

‘Not at all’ I said handing her the pad and it grew until it was a dragon-sized sketch pad and she just looked at it for a while, eventually she just said, ‘wow you just drew this?’ 

‘Well yes,’ I said blushing.

‘It’s well it’s amazing.’ 

‘It’s just some rough lines’ I say modestly, ‘give me maybe a week two if you want it done in watercolour.’ 

‘Yes,’ Serafin said ‘oh my, that would be amazing Farren, thank you so much’ she swept me up in a hug, ‘Farren you’re the best.’ 

‘You know’ I said, ‘unless it’s my family that’s not usually the reaction I get from people.’ I said into her bone like bust

‘There are just jealous of your talent if you want to keep drawing, I can lay down again.’ Serafin moved her cupped hands away from her chest looking down at me.

‘No, it’s all good’ say, I have to go now, duty calls. 

‘What duty?’ Serafin asked putting me down.

‘The partying kind, its Gus’s birthday today but don't worry your sketch will be completed.’ 

Serafin sat down, ‘hey now don't go dropping things for a drawing of me ok? You have things you need to do just come see me soon I missed you, I know we can just talk but it’s not the same without your pretty face ok?’ 

‘I will’ I say picking up my sketch pad returning it to normal size, ‘would you mind giving me a lift?’ 

‘Can’t you do that yourself now?’ 

‘Well yes, but I can also make an apple into a grenade.’  

‘how is that relevant?’ Serafin asked dubiously. 

‘what if I fall?’ 

Serafin shook her head ‘fine, will I see you tomorrow?’ 

‘Yes,’ I said, ‘you will, sorry it took so long I just had things on.’ 

‘That’s ok’ Serafin said as she lifted me up and put me down on the cliff that ran parallel to the river.  

‘See you tomorrow’ Serafin’ I said waving.

‘Will do’ Serafin said, going to lay down in the full sun she closed her eyes again I stood there, for just a second my eyes lingered on her chest. 

Serafin opened one eye, ‘now, now better draw any of that’ Serafin said smiling. 

I smiled ‘no promises are made.’

The next day almost as soon as I woke up, Farren are you there?

Yes. 

Good so when are you coming to see me? 

Later ok also do you like sleep? 

Ok, Serafin said, I will see you later, also yes just not when I’m excited. 

Huh, ok cool will see you later I said. 

After breakfast, I said, ‘dad has been away for some time and I think its time he along with the rest of you came for a walk with me.’ 

My dad was a musician and a music teacher he was tall with a goatee and close-cut neat dark brown hair, he was tall and had lightly tanned skin with nice blue eyes. 

‘Sounds fun’ he said he had a deep voice but an amazing rage, ‘I shall dress myself appropriately and then we shall depart.’ 

Five minutes later we were outside in the cold winter weather, ‘so where are we off to?’ mum asked. 

‘Through this very legal whole in the fence, and you never know we might even see Maggi I think she lives near here.’ 

‘Oooo’ Miranda said, ‘it has been a while.’  

‘I will fetch the dog’ my dad said. 

I showed them the way through the forest there was a light covering of frost giving the forest a magical feel as we followed the tracks that wound through the trees our breath visible as puffs of crystallized water, evenly the path came to the river that ran along the length of the forest ghost was just walking alongside us her black and white fur stood out and sometimes she would go running off into the bushes, suddenly ghost came out of the bushes barking madly at the river that was when I felt her 

O god no I thought 

‘Serafin will do’ she said, ‘so what’s my favourite human doing today?’ she stood there the path level with her chest.

‘Oh, not much’ I said, ‘just going for a walk.’ 

‘Why wasn't I invited?’ she asked making a pouting face. 

‘Look to your left’ I said. 

Serafin looked to her left my entire family just standing there looking rather shocked Serafin opened her jaws then closed them. 

Farren, what do I say? Serafin was panicking.

I felt like I was drawing in her thoughts, they were coming so rapidly she was properly truly panicking, it was like I was going to drown in her thoughts, Don't freak out it was the first thing that came to mind. 

‘Don't freak out’ Serafin said. 

They all freaked out, mum tried to grab me and pull me away from Serafin Miranda was crying and dad was hugging her I wrenched my arm out of mum’s grip ghost was just running around in circles barking excitedly. 

‘Stop freaking out’ I shouted, ‘c’mon guys she’s not going to hurt you.’

‘Yes,’ Serafin said ‘look at me I’m harmless.’ 

Not helping.

Serafin put a hand on the path and moved her fingers up and down Ghost ran in between them jumping over and ducking under Serafin’s fingers tongue lolling and tail wagging.

You know you were never this problematic.

Just bear with me.

Serafin smiled without showing her teeth.

‘Look ok,’ I said ‘this is my friend Serafin yes she is a dragon and no there not like the stories, now you all just need to calm down ok so let’s just take a breather,’ after a few minutes everyone calmed down dad was leaning against a tree mum was, standing just in front of me with, Miranda and I was standing next to Serafin who was just standing there and ghost who was sitting on Serafin’s hand. 

‘So, this is the reason you spend all of your time in the forest?’ mum asked.

‘Well I would never presume that I’m the sole reason-’ Serafin started. 

‘Well you are’ I said.

‘Oh,’ Serafin said, ‘huh I'm also I’m not a this I’m a drag-’

Serafin, it doesn’t just leave it, they will come around my parents are open-minded about these things ok.

Fine, she said.

‘So, this is the reason you don’t have a girlfriend’ my sister said.

Can I eat her?

No, well maybe.

‘Miranda’ dad said, ‘maybe don’t antagonize the giant lizard.’

‘Oh, my gods I’m a freaking dragon.’ Serafin sounded exasperated. 

‘Sorry’ I said, ‘she hates it when people don’t call her a dragon, it’s like a whole thing.’

‘Right’ my mum said, ‘so your Farren’s friend then?’

Serafin nodded.

‘For how long?’

We both answered at the same time, ‘three weeks three days.’

Mum looked amused by now they had gotten over the whole Serafin dragon thing, though they were still nervous around her which was understandable given that she was a dragon, but I think ghost was helping.

well before this gets any more awkward Will I see you later.

Of cores I replied I’ll give you a rain check on my arrival time, I will need to debrief everyone I imagine. 

Ok, bye Serafin raised her hand slightly and ghost jumped off, tongue lolling and barked a goodbye. 

‘Where is she going?’ Miranda asked. 

‘Oh, right sorry me and Serafin don’t need to talk to talk if that makes sense.’ 

‘Nothing about what you just said makes sense’ dad said.

‘True’ I said, ‘so shall we go home I will boil the kettle and we can all have a lovely chat about my new friend Serafin.’ 

The dragon I heard in my head. 

If you keep interjecting whilst I’m trying to talk, I’m going to get very upset. 

Ok, I will not interrupt you. 

Thanks’ see you soon ish. 

‘Yes,’ mum said, ‘that would be a good idea.’ 

We were all sat around the kitchen table with tea earl grey for me and Miranda and green for mum and dad ghost was also inside laying down on the couch. 

‘So’ mum said, ‘there no judgement here if you feel that way, we won’t tell anyone.’ 

It took me a few seconds to get what she was saying, ‘mum we are not dating’ I said exasperated ‘I have known her for three weeks ok?’

Three weeks it feels like so longer 

‘Ok,’ my mum said. 

‘But’ dad said, ‘if you ever need advice just ask me, I’m a lady’s man your mum will tell you that.’ 

Mum aimed an elbow at him almost knocking over her own tea ‘alright so tell us everything from the beginning ok.’ 

So I did I told them everything from the start to the begging, so then every time I went out to meet her my sister would ask if I would give my girlfriend a hug for her, it got to the point where I turned around and suddenly the chicken breast she was eating turned into a very much alive bird, and my parents bless their souls would not stop dropping dating hints and subtly suggesting that I could talk to them at any time, and I would remind them that Serafin and I were soul bonded and thus could hear each other’s thoughts so if she was even interested I would know, unfortunately after a week of this I was very vocal and unsubtle. 

We were sitting at the table eating lunch ‘look ok’ I said very clearly, ‘just because I have feelings for Serafin doesn't mean she has feelings for me, because I do I think she’s an amazing person, a dragon at that but that doesn't mean she feels the same way’ that was a giant weight off my chest. 

We ate in awkward silence for some time, ‘what’s the harm in asking?’ dad asked me. 

I had a moment of clarity what was the harm? ‘Ok, so first things first I’m dumb, secondly, ima ask her out dad we need to have a conversation immediately.’ 

‘I’m not invited?” mum asked. 

‘Naa’ dad said, ‘this is a father-son only thing.’ 

Mum aimed another elbow at him. 

The next day I was in the clearing where me and Serafin first met, this was where Serafin trained me in magic and fighting dragons and other humans, but today I was distracted, I had a long conversation with dad and mum last night and I was constantly running through and also the doubts in my head making it hard to concentrate. 

‘Ok’ Serafin said sitting down suddenly, ‘Farren what's going on?’

‘Um,’ I said. 

Serafin sighed, ‘you have been distracted all day out with it.’

Suddenly I was finding it hard to speak.

‘Serafin,’ I said my cheeks were burning and my stomach was churning, ‘we have known each other for like, some time now.’ 

Serafin looked down Farren barely repressing a smile, she was sitting cross-legged she had tucked her hair behind her horns and ears, Farren was avoiding direct eye contact and he just couldn't stop fidgeting, he was very clearly nervous and he had requested that she blocked out his thoughts. 

‘So, like because we have known each other for so long I just wanted to know if well; god I sound like a fucking idiot why can’t I speak, ‘Serafin do you like I supposed to like you know like um’ 

Serafin snorted she threw her head back laughing ‘yes Farren, my that was almost painful, yes Farren I do like you.’ 

Farren looked up Serafin was chuckling, ‘oh Farren you could not have been more obvious, though I was wondering why you were having trouble concentrating today.’ 

‘Sorry’ I murmured. 

‘Oh no that wasn't an insult’ Serafin said, ‘you're just so cute when you're nervous.’ 

I just shuffled my feet, ‘so if you like me then well, I was thinking maybe we could’ my ears were burning. 

Serafin stopped, ‘are you like oh my like actually?’ 

‘I’m sorry’ I said, ‘I’m sorry that was.’ 

‘Yes,’ Serafin exclaimed, ‘yes Farren I will go out on a date with you.’ 

‘What? Yes? you would? ok I’m oh god, I’m so embarrassed that took way too long to get out’ 

‘Naaw there’s no need to be embarrassed’ she scooped me up in her hands, ‘so where did you have in mind?’

‘To go out’ I said. 

‘So how is that going to work with the whole you know me being a dragon thing’ Serafin said smiling.

‘Oh, I didn't think of that’ I say.

Serafin giggled shaking her head in bemusement, ‘you know you could wait here for like ten minutes and I could make a roast.’ 

‘Ok then’ I said, ‘sounds fun.’

Serafin gently nuzzled me then put me on the ground, ‘ok be back soon.’ 

I sat alone, well not alone I could still feel Serafin presents, she came back as the sun dipped below the mountains, she was carrying six cows. 

‘Where did you get those?’ I asked.

‘There’s a farm not far from here.’ 

‘Serafin’ I said with mock disappointment.

‘What he has plenty of them’ Serafin sat down she put three of the cows down beside her and snapped up one of the remaining three in two bites, then she dug out a shallow groove in the ground big enough to fit all the cows in, then flicked her hand wood appeared in the shallow fire pit the Serafin opened her jaws and flame shot out igniting the wood then she put the cows on, after washing her hands she scooped up Farren. 

‘So, what do we do now?’ she asked 

‘I um, I don't know I like haven't been on an actual date before’ 

‘Fat lot of good you are’ Serafin said we both laughed then they lapsed into an awkward silence, just sitting there

I plucked up my courage, ‘Serafin I asked how do you feel about?’ I paused feeling the flush and adrenaline, ‘well me as a person?’ 

Serafin  looked down at Farren ‘what do you oh-’ it hit her the scales on the top of Serafin’s snout and her cheeks brightened ‘well you more than a friend, and I like you more than a friend if that's what you mean, I’m not just doing this for show.’ 

‘I know I already asked’ I say ‘but.’

‘Your nervous’ Serafin said ‘I know you are I can feel it but don’t worry, I’m here now and not much on this world will change that, and I do think of you as more than just a friend.’

‘Thank you Serafin’ I say, ‘that means a lot.’

They both sat there in silence the smell of cooking meat permeated the air, ‘would you hold on for a moment babe’ Serafin said placing me on the ground. 

‘Hold on did you just call me.’ 

But Serafin just turned around and was inspecting the cows looking at them, ‘there done’ she declared she fished one of the cows out and expertly using her claws cut out a whole shank and handed it to me on a plate which came out of nowhere, ‘thanks’ I said. 

‘here at Serafin cafe we serve only the finest meat’ she said jokingly, as she popped the rest of the cow into her jaws, she then in quick succession ate three more cows I had barely even started my shank. 

‘Are you ok there?’ I asked, then I took another bite of my shank 

‘I'm fine just hungry’ Serafin said picking up the last cow, ‘do you want any of this?’ 

‘No thanks’ I said she snapped in up, we both just let the fire burn, I moved and sat next to Serafin letting the fire and Serafin’s scales warm me, the sun had shrunk below the horizon there was a strip of orange which tapered to a light pink. 

Serafin moved into a sleeping position, I lay against her side feeling it expand and contract. 

‘Hey Serafin’ I asked, ‘do dragons eat actually humans’ it was a spur of the moment thing I had heard things 

Serafin paused, she had been expecting this question but that didn't make it any easier. 

‘Well yes some do’ said in a sheepish tone, ‘but not all’ she added quickly suddenly she was feeling very tense. 

‘Have you ever eaten a human?’ I asked looking up at her.

‘No’ Serafin said, I could tell I had made her uncomfortable  

Serafin picked up Farren and placed him gently on her chest the bone armour melting away. 

‘I’m glad you don’t’ I said, rubbing her muzzle gently Serafin relaxed again.

‘Sorry’ I said, ‘I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable.’

‘No, its ok’ Serafin said, ‘you were bound to ask or find out eventually what with Archericons view on dragons’ she paused then added ‘babe’  

I blushed and lay down on her chest with the fire dancing and popping in the background I concentrated on Serafin’s breathing I looked up at the night sky, Serafin sighed contentedly her hands behind her head it was a nice warm night then she gasped I saw it too. 

‘Farren quick make a wish’ she said and I did, I closed my eyes briefly seeing she shooting star and holding on to the image of it. 

I sighed but it wasn't a sad sigh I was content ‘you know’ I said, ‘sometimes I look up at the stars and feel so small.’

Serafin sat up a little catching me in her hand as I slid down her scales, ‘look at me’ she shad fiercely.

I did, I looked into her beautiful purple eyes

She looked straight back at me, ‘it doesn’t matter how small or big you are strength, true strength comes from inside, it comes from feeling from emotions.’

This comment made me feel warm inside then snorted Serafin, ‘are you feeling ok?’ 

‘Why?’ 

‘You just said something serious’. 

She laughed ‘you know you were doing so well right up until now you have officially failed at dating Farren’ we both laughed then again be lapsed into this time, a comfortable silence. 

‘So’ Serafin said idly, ‘isn't there like a thing you're supposed to do on a first date?’ 

‘Like a kiss, I say’ I could feel the blush spreading, but also a rush of excitement at the thought.

‘Yes’ Serafin said brightly, ‘that's it’ she gently lifted me up until I was level with her muzzle and gently, slowly she leaned forward and for the first time we kissed, it was a strange sensation and there was a size difference but we made it work, our minds melded we were together sharing this experience her lips against mine the rush of adrenaline the amazing feeling, then slowly we broke apart. 

‘Wow,’ I said, ‘Serafin that was well.’ 

‘An experience’ she suggested. 

I placed a hand on her muzzle and Serafin nuzzled me back gently 

‘We should do that again sometime’ Serafin murmured, her eyes closed as the moon slowly rose her tail flicking erratically.