Chapter Text
Several Days Later…
After that beautiful day to celebrate Qibli’s hatching day, It was pretty much business as usual for Thorn. She was back to attending meetings, seeing battle reports, maintaining the food supply in the stronghold and the scorpion den, and so on. It was often boring and might be stressful at times for Thorn. But with Qibli essentially becoming her new son from that day they spent, it only made achieving her duties worth it. Thorn could only be happier now that Qibli is a part of her life. Thorn and Qibli were almost neck and neck relationship-wise as the days went on. Whenever Guards or Outclaws saw their queen walking, they could be sure that Qibli would be there with her. Often most nights the two could be seen conversing on their days in the oasis, either by themselves or with Smolder or Moon joining them. One particular night was most special for them, as Smolder could see... It was the usual kind of day for the SandWing Prince. Give advice to Thorn on meetings, Care for Rose, try to talk to his daughter Onyx, and life as usual for him.
One afternoon, a guard came to his quarters while he was reading a scroll.
“Prince Smolder” the guard called in a deep, regal voice.
Smolder and Rose looked at the guard with curiosity in their eyes.
“Yes?” Smolder answered with a raised brow.
“A note from Her Majesty” the guard answered, offering his talon to the SandWing with a small rolled-up paper in it. Smolder walked up to the guard and took the paper. The guard left soon after, as Smolder read what Thorn had to say inside the note walking back to and laying on the spot Rose was.
“Prince Smolder,
This is Queen Thorn. I am sending you this note because I would like to share a talk with you later today. You can find me with Qibli at the center tower of the stronghold. Feel free to bring Rose with you, and try not to be late.
See You Soon,
Queen Thorn of the SandWings”
Smolder raised a brow in curiosity. “What would she like to see me for?” he wondered as he and the human girl looked at each other with the same amount of curiosity…
Later that Night…
Smolder(with Rose on his shoulder) carefully climbed up the staircase of the center tower in the stronghold. It was a long few spiral steps upward, but eventually, he made it to the top, where he could see shadowy figures peacefully sitting at the edge of the tower’s lip. It was Thorn, Qibli, and Moon, all peacefully sitting together, taking in the view of the entire stronghold that stretched far and wide to the dragon’s eye. Underneath them, the sky shimmered with the abundance of stars that shined in the evening darkness. Smolder held still as he saw them looking upwards before Thorn shook her head, eventually catching a glimpse at the SandWing Prince. Upon seeing him, Thorn smiled and tapped a spot on the tower’s floor for Smolder to sit with them. Smolder didn't even speak when he walked up to the spot and sat behind the group. Thorn, on the other hand, did something he was not expecting her to do. With her eyes closing, Thorn ever so gently nuzzled him under his chin. She took her time in showing the Prince a healthy amount of affection, taking in every hint of warmth from his scales.
“I'm glad you’re here, Smolder” Thorn quietly spoke. “It’s nice to share these kind of moments with you.”
Smolder, after a short pause, only responded by draping a wing around her. Thorn didn't mind this since they had only grown closer in the months after the incidents with the Talons of Power and Darkstalker. Qibli and Moon looked back at the two dragons, but only remained silent, warmly smiling at them and each other before looking at the stars again.
“So…how did the hatching day go, Your Majesty?” Smolder asked curiously. “Your day off from Queen, I mean”
Thorn and the others looked at each other and smiled warmly. “It was beautiful” Thorn answered warmly. “Qibli and I grew closer because of it. And we have you and Six-Claws to thank for it”
Smolder only looked away shyly. “I only suggested the idea when we spoke about it” He responded honestly. “Six-Claws and I didn't really do much other than that”
“I’d say it counts” Qibli added
“I agree” Moon added further
Smolder only smiled in response to the group’s thankful words, as his tail curled around them as best as it could.
“So what happens now?” Smolder asked further.
“Well…”Thorn began. “I’ll try to visit Stonemover when time permits it. He deserves company from a familiar face.”
Qibli scooted closer to Thorn. “It could be nice for you two to catch up on life” He added in an honest tone. “Just because you’re not a couple doesn’t mean you can't be good friends either”
“Say, I'm curious now” Moon chimed in, Garnering Qibli’s attention. “Since Thorn fully sees you as her son, does that make Stonemover…your father in a way?”
Qibli took a moment to think about that question, letting his thoughts process before he let out his answer. “I…guess that can count…in a way” Qibli answered carefully. “I mean back in Jade Mountain Sunny and I considered ourselves siblings because of Thorn saving me from Cobra.”
Thorn only responded to Qibli and Moon’s thoughts by gently enveloping both of them in her wings, with a warm smile radiating on her muzzle.
“Look at us,” Thorn remarked affectionately. “Sharing tender moments and enjoying life’s joys. Our own little family coming together.”
"Life can be difficult on the road ahead" Smolder stated quietly. "But it's always good to be with people you grow close to"
"You three, or four counting Rose, are what make life worth living," Thorn added. "I love you guys"
That got Qibli to wonder for a moment, before he leaned into Thorn’s gentle embrace, and gave off a soft, gentle purr of his own. At that moment, Qibli realized that after everything they went through, he now had many things to hold dear in his heart.
He has a mate to share his life with, a queen who would fight for him if she needed to, and friends who care about him. But best of all, he knew in that moment that he had the one thing that would always fill his heart with love.
He had a loving family…
Happy Mother’s Day, FanWings