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The sun is bright and warm on his scales as he stretches out in the large front yard to soak in the day. Lizzie takes up the whole yard, tail stretching out to curl around the side of the house. The soft breeze ruffles his mane and he sighs heavily, like he’s letting out everything out of him to leave room to soak in the peaceful afternoon.
Content is still a new feeling to him. But it’s the word he would use right now. Sunning himself in this community of strange beings. People he’s come to feel at ease around. The day is full of gentle energy, and he can hear the other houses living their lives of peace. He could shift his hearing to be lower, but the sounds of life drifting out about the place isn’t one that irritates him.
A lot less irritates him, nowadays.
The front door of the house he is partially curled around opens, screen door clattering as little footsteps run through the grass. He doesn’t need to open his eyes to know who it is. A soft rumble escapes him as Amelia throws her little arms around his snout.
“Lizzie! You have hair!” A declaration, as if he might not have noticed. To be fair, he often doesn’t while in reptile form.
“I do,” he confirms. He felt like having it, thought it might feel nice with the breeze. He was correct about that; the wind combing through his hair felt soothing.
“Can I put flowers in it?”
“Sure.” Ever since Damian taught her how to braid hair, she’s loved playing with Lizzie’s. And once she realized she could put flowers in those braids, she’s always looking for the opportunity.
Excited, Amelia runs off again to pick the wildflowers in the area, knowing better not to get into the gardens in the neighborhood. Lizzie keeps his eyes closed as he listens to her run around, as he listens to all that is going on in the neighborhood.
There’s a lively racket coming from the old meta-humans' house, which could be just about anything. The local dogs are out and playing together, barking with excitement as they race about. Someone’s window is open, music from a radio drifting out in a lazy guitar. Something smells like fresh laundry nearby as someone no doubt is hanging up clothes on the clothesline. There’s a soft conversation on a nearby porch as others are no doubt soaking up the pleasant day.
Amelia runs back to him with her gathered flowers, excitedly combing her fingers through his mane before braiding flowers in. The feeling is even more soothing than the wind, even with Amelia’s power dampener active, not influencing the feeling of genuine calm.
Lizzie rumbles softly, and Amelia giggles.
“I like when you purr. You sound happy.” He wouldn’t call it purring, but if that’s what she wanted to call it, that was fine by him. Never mind the fact he was sunning himself; it wasn’t just cats that did it.
“Perhaps I am.” He’s not sure he would call himself happy. He’s not sure he knows what that feels like. But he’s certainly content. And the novelty of this peace may never wear itself out.
This safe community was a miracle in itself, one he did not think of lightly. Slow, lazy days like this were common and filled him with a sense of peace he never would have thought possible.
“I like that you’re happy. It makes me happy too.” Amelia is smiling; he can hear it in her voice. As gentle as he can with his current size, he turns his head to nuzzle her softly, earning a giggle and a hug. “I love you, Lizzie.”
Lizzie takes a moment to finally crack open an eye to glance around, confirming privacy before looking down to her.
“And I, you.”
She beams, her smile as warm as the sun on his scales.