Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Fuel-Of-Fire rushed between the human dens, trying to keep quiet, while also rushing to the safety of the forest. Her tiny dark blue body is easily able to hide in the shadows of the wooden dens. And as she carefully moves her starving body through the wooden structures, she ponders on why this is so natural to her.

Suddenly, the wind brings the stench of humans to her attention, and so she rushes to a nearby den, one that seems to stand proud and imposing in the midst of the rest, and climbs the side of it, hiding in its shadows.

She slowly watches as two big humans walk beneath her, one of whom had wood and metal instead of a paw while the other reeked of power and importance. An Alpha human. The dragon thought to herself.

Both of them were walking very oddly, even for typical humans. And they were laughing and knocking into each other, during a period in which humans often slept. But the smell of these two humans was not jolly, not totally, for the prominent smell, besides the horrid one they both breathed, was of sadness and of loss.

Fuel-Of-Fire considered these two for a moment, a pang of sympathy rang from her, before she shook her head. I must continue. My captors could have noticed my escape by now.

As she crouched, her wings spread as far as they could go in her state of weakness, she heard a cry.

Her head snapped towards the noise. Her instincts screamed at her to find the source and help it, and when the cry began again louder and longer she realized that it was a hatchling’s cry, and very human.

She was torn between gliding away and helping the hatchling, recognizing the fact that human hatchlings were almost always by grown humans.

But when there was a third cry she made up her mind, if a human has not heard this little one cry yet, none will.

She crawls towards the noise, through a blasted open wall and towards a wooden structure that sat towards the back of the den. She was too tiny to see the hatchling, but she knew that they were being supported by the wood somehow. Fuel-Of-Fire moves through piles of ash towards the crying creature, carefully climbing the structure as it swayed under the weight of her body.

Now able to fully see the hatchling, the small-flame-bringer could finally see the small auburn furred boy. He was surrounded by furs, not of his body the dragon noted, and was crying loudly, face scrunched up from how big his mouth is.

Slowly Fuel-Of-Fire moves to the hatchling, cooing softly “I am here small-one.”

Suddenly the human stops crying and stares at the creature in front of him, stopping the dragon in her tracks. There is a moment where both of them stare at each other before the human is back to crying.

Fuel-Of-Fire’s inner-flame sputters at the sight, and so she quickly moves to the hatchling, rubbing the back of her talons along his face, caressing him in hopes to quiet his suffering, and in attempts to remove the odd water coming from his eyes. “It’s alright my little-flame. I am here. What is wrong?”

As she continued to caress and coo at the small hatchling, Fuel-Of-Fire assessed the state of the human. She noted the fact that the youngling was not injured, from what she could currently see, but she did find that the human was colder than she expected.

Deciding that this might be the cause of the humans suffering, Fuel-Of-Fire carefully moved around the hatchling’s flailing paws, encasing him with her wings so that they could share inner-flame. And as she did this, she found it odd that she was having difficulties fully covering the hatchling with her wings.

Not important, focus on Hatchling.

As she focused back on the hatchling she noted that the human was still wailing, but a little less.

“What is wrong, small-one?” and as Fuel-Of-Fire softly growls this, the human body growls without thought or intention as a response. “Ah so you are hungry little-one.” She nuzzles the human in understanding. “That is something I can fix.”

But as she moved to go and hunt, she remembered how cold the hatchling was before she shared inner-flame with him. His inner-flame must not be strong yet…

As she thought about this, she remembered how the grown humans often wore the fur and skin of other creatures, and then she remembered the furs around the hatchling. Humans must need these stolen skins to stay warm. Slowly, the dragon used her claws to position the furs over the mostly bare hatchling, besides a fur cloth wrapped between his legs.

With the cold hatchling problem mostly fixed, Fuel-Of-Fire quickly lept from the tiny human nest to the wooden ground, sniffing the air to hopefully find anything to hunt close by.

She smelled the air, picking up many smells, most prevalent being the hatchling’s discomfort and sadness. Eventually she was able to discern fish, and followed it downwards. The area she entered was larger, but way darker.

Luckily, she was able to see that the den she entered was full of wooden carvings, ranging in size and shape. This was because her eyes had adjusted to darker environments, due to her entrapment in the human-death-grove.

She continues to follow the smell of fish, weaving between small pillars of misshapen wood. The smell led her to a big woven container. The fishy smell was wafting from it, both old and new scents combining. Carefully she tried to climb it, finding that her claws could easily tear it, up to the top. When she got to the top of it, she found that she was easily able to remove a covering, finding many fish piled into it. Carefully and quickly, she ate a couple of fish and then grabbed one of the bigger ones for the hatchling. She then crawled down the object and back up to the little one.

And as she reached the wobbling nest the hatchling was laying in, she realized that she had no idea how humans ate, especially little hatchlings.

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After a while of careful poking and prodding at the mouth of the human, and a lot of disgruntled wails from said human, the dragon was finally able to get the hatchling to eat. So she slowly, and almost habitually, crawled around the youngling and carefully covered him with her wings. She then started to softly croon. Her crooning wasn’t anything special, just sounds to hopefully make the hatchling sleep.

And like she hoped, and slightly expected, the hatchling’s breath slowed and he peacefully slept in her embrace. Fuel-Of-Fire felt her inner-flame sputter, a sputter that mourned the loss of something she could not remember.

And this frustrated her. Because what she did in the past, was obviously helping her and incentivizing her actions in the now. She found this hatchling because she felt this urgent need to, one she was certain that was stronger than any other dragon. Her knowledge of hatchlings, mostly of dragon ones, was helping her care for this obviously neglected one, because a hatchling is a hatchling no matter what and they needed help in almost the same ways it seems. But she did not understand why she knew these things.

Her inner-flame started to grow as she thought of why her memories were gone, of the mad monster who ruled her mind for many winters. The anger grew as she remembered waking up from the blinding hunger of Red-Queen-Alpha, only to be bound by darkness and her own hunger.

Slowly smoke began to fall from her nostrils. This smoke caused the hatchling in her wings to start coughing in his sleep, a whine starting to form in his throat, and instantly Fuel-of-Flame doused the growth of her Inner-Flame. She slowly cooed apologies to hatchling, hoping to calm the distraught feeling of the human. Eventually he did fall back to sleep, much to the delight of the dragon.

But as she thought of the hatchling under her care, she finally allowed herself to think of the abnormalities of the human’s situation. She thought of the fact that he was alone in a den, something that very much angered her.

She analyzed the scent of the human, picking it apart to hopefully learn more of him. And yet she found things that saddened her. The hatchling’s dam and sire’s scent were practically gone, though the sire’s was definitely stronger, and was oddly familiar. The hatchling’s smelled reeked of sadness and misery, even though he wasn't feeling it now, it clung to him.

She knew deep in her inner-flame that this hatchling would not have survived long if she hadn’t intervened. And as she pondered that fact she came to the realization that when she left, this hatchling could very well die.

But before she could process those thoughts, she heard human laughter and yells coming towards the den. She carefully and quickly removed herself from the hatchling. But before she could leave the nest the human whacked her wing. The dragon turned her head to the human, finding him still asleep.

Fuel-Of-Fire stared at the human, she thought of the fact he would be dead without her, and then she carefully licked his forehead, scenting him.

SLAM

Wood collided with wood down below, and stomping followed. The dragon leapt away from the hatchling and towards the hole. But before she leapt, Fuel-Of-Fire quietly growled at the human.

“I will return, my hatchling.”

And with that she sprang open her tiny wings, and flew high in the air, memorizing her path to the woods.

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Fuel-Of-Fire returns the next night to the hatchling, checking him over and protecting him while he slept. She had even brought her own kill for the hatchling, in case he was hungry, but luckily it seemed that he was fed. She had also found the smell of his sire was stronger, but it was still very weak.

Time passed, and the hatchling steadily grew, he began to seek out the comfort of Fuel-Of-Fire. He would reach for her snout everytime she came in, he would even gurgle happily, and he complained less when she tried to feed him. His scent reflected this, the miserable smell had begun to fade and the sadness was nearly gone.

That wasn’t the only thing about his smell that had changed, there was a whole new component to the hatchling’s smell. Fuel-Of-Fire came to realize that the smell was her, it was her own smell. It seemed that the Hatchling was starting to trust the dragon, enough for his scent to fully incorporate and accept Fuel-Of-Fire into itself.

Fuel-Of-Fire was overjoyed by this, but that also meant that the hatchling was going to need to go through a naming ceremony.

This naming ceremony is a tradition among all dragonkind, there is not a dragon who typically opts out of the event. It occurs at monumental moments in a dragon’s life, from their birth, to them leaving the nest, or them finding their Flame-Mate. When a dragon reaches one of these critical moments in their life, they will be given a new name. Typically they choose it themselves, unless they are too young, then their dam will choose it for them. And the ceremony is usually held with their flock in attendance, to show support for the next part of their life.

Fuel-Of-Fire has a vague memory of her last naming ceremony. She cannot remember any of the scales of her flock, not even one from her Flame-Mate’s body. But she can remember that it was close to when she was stolen from them. She also remembers how bright her inner-flame was. The joy she and her flock shared.

She wanted to give this to her hatchling, she wanted to give all the joy she felt to this little one. She knew he was not of her own physical brood. But she also knew that she was probably one of the few creatures to care about him. There was no other creature's smell on him, besides her and his flame-givers, his dam’s scent was almost gone. So, she felt it was her duty to take care of this hatchling, raise him, even if he didn’t have the body of a dragon, she would make certain his inner-flame was strong as one.

And that began with a naming ceremony, though. They had to celebrate him accepting Fuel-Of-Fire as one with his scent, even though he did not know the importance of such an act. He also could not be called a hatchling forever.

And that was the problem Fuel-Of-Fire was currently having. They were both on the ground of the bottom part of the den, the hatchling crawling around and exploring the den while Fuel-Of-Fire watched and thought. She had brought both of them down here, carrying the hatchling on her back, so that the boy could work on his strength of movement. This was an important step in a dragon’s development, since they must be able to move to hunt and survive.

The boy was a natural at it in Fuel-Of-Fire’s opinion. He was able to move great distances without tiring, and he was already climbing small ledges in the short span of moons he had been alive.

But even though he was able to move so far, and was very agile already for his moon-count, Fuel-Of-Fire didn’t feel that that was an important aspect to name him for. It didn’t encompass his current strength of inner-flame or his future potential.

“What to name such an active and curious hatchling as you…” Fuel-of-Fire growled to no one, as she was laying on the ground.

She watched as the hatchling moved towards a piece of wood at the side of the den, one that she knew to be broken because she used to get into the den. She had found it after the original hole she had entered through was fixed. The hatchling seemed to be fascinated by it though, slowly touching it and pulling at it until it came loose. He cooed happily as he played with the piece.

After some time of waving the wood around and staring at it the hatchling slowly tried to put the wood back in place, using his soft small weak claws to maneuver the wood into the shape it needed to go in. And eventually he succeeded, the wood looked like it had before the hatchling came along, besides maybe a few chips missing from the edges.

As Fuel-Of-Fire watched the hatchling do all this, she remembered many other instances where the hatchling would use his paws in different ways. How he would use this to express his feelings, waving them in excitement or agitation. How he had used them to climb onto Fuel-Of-Fire’s back with little prompting. And she remembers just how different they were to other dragons, how no other dragons used their own paws to this extent.

Her thoughts were interrupted though when she felt little paws poke her nose. When she focused on the hatchling in front of her, he giggled a little, slapping his paws together. Fuel-Of-Fire rumbled happily before curling around her hatchling.

She paused for a moment, deciding how she was going to handle this very important moment. Remembering that it was only them in the den (Fuel-Of-Fire always checks if the sire of the hatchling was gone before she entered the den.) and that she would be the only one to remember this event, Fuel-of-Fire began to growl.

“I, Fuel-Of-Fire, the new caretaker of this hatchling, give the name Clever-Paws to this hatchling, so that he may one day use these paws to cleverly make himself a new den and life.” She then carefully licked Clever-Paws’ face, at which he giggled and shook his paws at.

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It’s a little after two winters had passed again when Fuel-Of-Fire fully realized that her and her Clever-Paws’ nightly meetings would have to end.

The both of them were sitting on Clever-Paws’ stationary nest (his Rocking-Nest removed many moons ago.) Clever-Paws was trying to learn how to growl better, a skill he had trouble with especially since he was learning human communication also. And even though he was frustrated, he put his best effort into the task constantly, telling Fuel-Of-Fire that he wanted to better understand her and the rest of his kind.

As he was repeating a series of growls to himself, spinning and twisting a set of broken nets in his hands, a sudden slam and stomping of paws interrupted their time. Both of the dragons jumped in surprise before Fuel-Of-Fire rushed to a fish-container and hid inside. And as soon as Clever-Paws had covered the container did the stomping reach the part of the den they were in.

The smell of anger and fear filled Fuel-Of-Fire’s nostrils. The anger was tinged with the stench of Alpha-Sire, named after the fact he was Clever-paws’s sire and he was the alpha of the humans, a fact Fuel-Of-Fire learned during a lesson with Clever-Paws about dragon culture. She could not understand a growl they were saying to each other, only understanding the sound “Hiccup,” which was what humans called her hatchling. The growls and screeches from Alpha-Sire continued for a while, the smell of sadness growing along with it before he finally left.

When another slam resounded throughout the den, only then did Fuel-Of-Fire finally leave the fish-container. On the ground, beside his nest, Clever-Paws silently wept into his knees, rubbing his front paws into his legs. Fuel-Of-Fire quickly crossed the room, cooing the whole time, and when she finally reached her hatchling, the boy quickly grabbed her, and began crying into her scales.

Fuel-Of-Fire tried not to think about how much bigger her hatchling was in comparison to her, as she slowly rubbed his face with her muzzle. It took a while for Clever-Paws to finally stop crying, but when he did Fuel-Of-Fire carefully asked what the two of them talked about.

It took a moment before Clever-Paws carefully growled out a timid response, “He… wanted to know… why I was awake…”

Fuel-Of-Fire hummed in affirmation, maneuvering herself to sit next to Clever-Paws head. Clever-Paws’s sleeping habits was a sore point for his sire, since he mostly slept in the day so he could spend time with Fuel-Of-Fire. It almost rivaled Alpha-Sire’s anger at how Clever-Paws was weak at moving with two paws, which confused Fuel-Of-Fire since she believed it didn’t matter how Clever-Paws moved, but she was confused often with Alpha-Sire’s anger.

Clever-Paws continued, pausing sometimes to remember what he was trying to say. “He also said that he wants me to… stop doing useless stuff… and be a true…” He then said a word from the human tongue with disgust, that Fuel-Of-Fire did not understand nor cared for.

Anything that displeases my hatchling and comes from the jaw of that awful human means nothing, and should not be given my attention.

Fuel-Of-Fire turns to the boy and nuzzles him. “Do not worry about what he said, my little one.” Clever-Paws groans at being called little, obviously wanting to point out the actual size difference between them, but he keeps his mouth closed.

They both sit in silence for a while, Clever-Paws taking his string and playing with it while the dragon thinks and worries.

This was the fifth time the Alpha-Sire had nearly caught her this month. She also knew that her hatchling couldn’t avoid the rest of the humans for much longer, she knew that they were gonna want to teach him how to be a human. And she also acknowledged her little Clever-Paws wasn’t gonna be able to learn what he wanted from under her tutelage, she didn’t have the ability to do what he could. The conclusion she came to saddened her, but she also knew that a change in situation would also allow for new, and better opportunities.

Slowly she nudged her head into Clever-Paws’s fur, grabbing his attention.

Softly she cooed, “I have come to the decision that we must change the time and place in which we meet.” She continued even as the boy started to squeak in protest. “I also do not like that this has to happen, but I must protect you. And I also can not provide you everything you need. We both know this.” She softly caressed his cheek, wiping away the salty water that spilled from his eyes. “You understand. Correct?”

“I do.” He nodded a little, before nuzzling his head into Fuel-Of-Fire’s scales. “Where will we meet now?”

She pondered this for a moment before deciding. “I will find a location tomorrow. Meet me at the forest edge the day after tomorrow. Sometime in the afternoon.”

Clever-Paws nodded a little, before they lapsed into silence.

Both of them took a moment to soak up the other’s presence in preparation for the change that they were about to undertake.

When Clever-Paws yawned, Fuel-Of-Fire motions for him to get into the nest. They slowly begin to do a routine for the last time. Clever-Paws got changed into furs he said were more comfortable for sleep, while Fuel-Of-Fire prepared the nest for him. And as Fuel-Of-Fire tucked Clever-Paws into his nest, cleaning his fur a little with a few licks, Clever-Paws asked something.

“Will you stay with me?”

And without a beat Fuel-Of-Fire responded “As long as I am able, my little flame.”

Clever-Paws smiled as he closed his eyes and Fuel-Of-Fire curled up on his little chest, beginning to croon a song for the boy.

As the little boy started to fall asleep listening to the song, Fuel-Of-Fire thought to herself. I can’t do this alone… He needs more kin. I need more of our kin. We need a flock…

Like humans, dragons can not live alone forever. They need a flock, especially dragons like Fuel-Of-Fire. So if Fuel-Of-Fire was to raise this boy like a dragon, they needed to find a flock. And that was another reason why she decided they had to start meeting outside, because they couldn’t find dragons in here, and she wasn’t gonna leave this boy alone for more than a day.

And as she thought of those things she fell into a light slumber, mentally and physically preparing herself to scour the forest for a safe space.

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Chapter Text

Unseen-Hunter carefully moves through the forest, a daily task that procures food for themself. Though they did have to admit to themself that they could have chosen a better spot to hunt through, especially with the human flock near this forest. And yet, they chose to continue hunting here, unwilling to change their spot, unwilling to fail this challenge they had to set upon themself.

They zipped between the trees, crawling through undergrowth, and smelled the air, searching for any scent. And they did eventually find one. One of a small-flame-bringer, and another they could not place, and yet echoed of the small-flame-bringer. And this piqued the interest of the changing-scales, and deciding to postpone their hunt, they smoothly maneuver themself to the smell.

They soon come to find that their destination is a small dent in the forest's earth, hidden away by trees, covered in moss and stones, and a small pond in the center. But the source of the scents is what intrigues the dragon.

By the pond were two creatures, one of them was a blue small-flame-bringer who was currently comforting a small crying human hatchling. And as Unseen-Hunter sniffed the air again they found that the hatchling was the source of the odd scent, because the hatchling didn’t seem to smell all that human. Their scent was more of the forest and especially smelled of the small-flame-bringer tangled around him.

As Unseen-Hunter pondered these things, they began to prowl around the edges of the cavern, hoping to not make their scent known to the creatures below. They slowly are able to move themselves down the cavern's walls, and closer to the creatures allowing for a better view of the scene before them.

The hatchling was still crying, a loud sorrowful tune, filled with strange throat noises. The hatchling had his knees drawn up to his chest, as he rocked himself, an action that seemed to bring slight comfort to the boy. And standing on his knees, cooing soft comforting noises and wiping away small water droplets from his cheeks, was the small-flame-bringer.

This whole scene brought even more confusion onto the young changing-scales, for it seemed that the small-flame-bringer was acting as the dam of this hatchling, taking care of this obviously distraught human. And as they watch on from the other side of the pond, still with scales hidden, they are reminded not of their dam, killed and descaled by dragon-killers, but of their nestmate.

They remember their nestmate teaching them to control their scales. Of being screeched at for nearly showing themselves to a human. They remembered a terribly stormy night, where the sky screamed and many ones-of-storms danced in the clouds, and how they hid in their nestmate’s wings. They remembered the joyful screech of their nestmate when Unseen-Hunter was named Unseen-Hunter in front of their flock.

But they also remembered the sorrowful screech of “Hidden-And-Found!” as the rest of their flock burned the body of their dead nestmate.

Unseen-Hunter is suddenly ripped back to the present when they hear a gasp and terrifying low growl from in front of them. When they look up, they find that the human hatchling is staring at them eyes aglow with unshed tears and fascination, while the small dragon on his knees is poised with a glow of fire in her maw.

The changing-scales is confused on how they were seeing them before they turned their head and saw that their scales were a mixture of somber purple and mourning blue. They quickly shake themselves as they try to shift back to hiding scales, carefully slouching away from the pond.

“How do you do that?” The human calls from across the pond.

Unseen-Hunter turns around in surprise, seeing that the human had crawled closer to the pond staring at where Unseen-Hunter was last at and that the small-flame-breather was now sitting protectively by the human, seemingly passicified by the bigger dragon’s decision to leave.

Unseen-Hunter stares for a moment before awkwardly replying, “It’s a natural part of me and my kin… Honed by many winters of use…” They slowly trail off, not knowing what else to say.

This evidently does not stop the human’s curiosity as he bounces on his back paws, his earlier sorrow forgotten. “What are you and your kin called? What’s your name? My name is Clever-Paws. What do you use your scales for?” Clever-Paws excitedly growls.

Again Unseen-Hunter is surprised at the human’s excitement, and taking a glance at the small-flame-bringer finds that she just quietly sits, watching as the hatchling under her care asks a multitude of questions.

After collecting themself Unseen-Hunter growls slowly, “We are called changing-scales. I was named Unseen-Hunter for the use of my scales to stealthily stalk and kill my prey.”

Clever-Paws nods sagely at the responses he receives from Unseen-Hunter.

And this continued on for a while, Clever-Paws asks Unseen-Hunter a question about their scales and Unseen-Hunter responds.

“Can you change your scales at will?”

“Yes.”

“What’s your natural scale color?”

“Green.”

“Why did your colors suddenly change to blue?”

“... A lapse of control.”

They eventually congregate on the same side of the pond, the questions shifting from Unseen-Hunter’s scales to more general questions about Unseen-Hunter, such as their favorite fish (a silver-long fish often found in lakes,) their favorite hunting-grounds (forests,) and other general questions about their life.

But as the sun sets and the shadows start to dampen the chasm, Clever-Paws starts to slow his question and his eyes struggle to stay open. And even as it becomes more obvious that he needs to sleep, he keeps on asking questions about Unseen-Hunter, seeming to search for a reason to stay out longer.

Eventually though Fuel-Of-Fire, (Unseen-Hunter was introduced to her when Clever-Paws asked for clarification on a word Unseen-Hunter said,) steps in.

“My little-one,” Clever-Paws grumbles at the nickname, as all hatchlings do. “I believe it is time for you to head back to the human flock.”

Clever-Paws begins to protest, before Fuel-Of-Fire covers his mouth with her wing. “No. It is very evident that you are tired.” She then tries to quietly whisper to him, though Unseen-Hunter can still hear it. “And we don’t need Alpha-Sire angry at you, especially after today. Alright?”

Clever-Paws slowly nods, but then motions towards Unseen-Hunter. “But… I still want to talk to them…”

Unseen-Hunter then slowly sighs as they reluctantly insert themself into the conversation. “I will still be around tomorrow.”

Clever-Paws instantly perks up and crawls over to Unseen-Hunter and looks up at their eyes. “Really?”

Unseen-Hunter nods as Fuel-Of-Fire crosses over and starts nudging at her hatchling’s leg. “Now get along tiny-one.”

Clever-Paw quickly nuzzles Fuel-Of-Fire, nuzzles Unseen-Hunter’s crest, surprising them, stands, then quickly leaves up a hill out of the chasm.

As Unseen-Hunter sits for a moment, processing what just happened, Fuel-Of-Fire crawls to them and sits.

“I’m glad you will be returning tomorrow. He really likes you.” The small dragon pauses for a moment before continuing. “Thank you for answering his questions. I can tell that you are not one for conversations.”

Unseen-Hunter nods, before the both of them lapses into silence.

After a while of them just sitting and thinking about the day, the changing-scales dragon quietly asks; “How did you know I don’t like conversations?”

Fuel-Of-Fire huffs amusedly before replying “I have raised many dragons throughout my life, and though I may not remember their scales, the skills and knowledge I have gained from my time with them stays with me. Especially my ability to understand dragons, which has only grown with the winters.”

Unseen-Hunter nods in understanding before Fuel-Of-Fire continues.

“Now, if you are willing, I would like for you to answer a question of my own. You seemed to easily handle the energy of my little-one, how is that so?”

Unseen-Hunter takes a moment to ponder the question and his comfortability before carefully replying. “I helped raise hatchlings along with my nestmate.”

Fuel-Of-Fire hums in understanding. “And I’m guessing your patience could also be attributed to your hunting prowess also.”

“Yes, patience is important, especially with my method of hunting.” Unseen-Hunter again pauses before continuing, “You treat Clever-Paws as though he was your own hatchling… Why?”

“Well, that’s because he is. Just because I did not lay his egg, does not mean he is not my hatchling. I was and am the only one capable of raising that human-dragon. His inner-flame blazes just as bright as any other dragons, and a dragon must be the one to keep it warm.” Fuel-Of-Fire then pauses before she hisses, “Especially with those tormenting-hatchlings…”

Unseen-Hunter hums a questioning tone towards Fuel-Of-Fire, this new information piquing their interest.

Fuel-Of-Fire huffs a little before they explain, “There’s a group of hatchlings that he is around in the morning, since Alpha-Sire wants him to be properly taught how to be a viking. Those hatchlings torment him because he isn’t as big as everyone else, and isn’t as good as the rest of them at the ‘training’ they do, especially since he joined later than everyone else.” A sad grumble comes from Fuel-Of-Fire before she continues. “It was especially bad today. They accidently heard him speaking our tongue, and so they started calling him names and telling him that he was going to kill their tribe and other awful things. It’s why you saw him crying…” She slowly starts to peeter out, and then they both sit in silence.

After a bit, Unseen-Hunter asks “Then why does he stay here, with such regular torment?”

“Because he can’t survive out there, especially with my… condition.” Fuel-Of-Fire responds carefully. “He doesn’t have the body nor skill to protect himself, nor even hunt for himself. And I can’t teach him, we have such different sizes, and my skill in hunting is awful, I can barely catch a tiny-silver-fish.” She sighs sadly, “so unless he becomes stronger and more skilled, he has to stay here…”

A strong silence settles upon them as Unseen-Hunter thinks. They think about the suffering in the small human’s cry, about his perfect chirps and hisses, about the commitment and love Hidden-and-Found gave to them.

And before they know it they say, “I’ll teach them.”

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It takes a few days before the hunting lessons begin, and it takes even longer for Clever-Paws to catch any prey.

The few days before the lessons began were purposeful, Unseen-Hunter felt as though they didn’t understand Clever-Paws well enough to begin teaching him how to hunt, and so they both spent those days learning about each other. And even before the hunting lessons began, Unseen-Hunter had a feeling there was gonna be some difficulties.

This was obvious from the start, the hatchlings claws were soft and unable to snag prey and cut it. And there was also the fact that they were both of very different species. So what Unseen-Hunter could do, was often something that Clever-Paws could not.

And yet, despite these very obvious obstacles, Unseen-Hunter took them in stride and made them a challenge for themself to beat. But also was open about these issues and also used them as a tool to teach.

“Hunting requires more than just strength and stealth,” Unseen-Hunter began to explain to Clever-Paws, “It also requires thought and planning. When you chase prey you have to consider the future and where the prey may go and do, and jump the hurdles that come with it. For instance, a bunny is quick and small allowing it to crawl and speed through tunnels you cannot. So, you must stop it from reaching those tunnels, by closing the tunnels or immobilizing the bunny.” Unseen-Hunter pauses, checking to see if Clever-Paws understands, before continuing. “And that leads to our current situation, you do not have the natural ability to catch your prey. So, we need to create a way for you to do so. I want you to come back tomorrow and tell me your strategy for overcoming this, you understand?” Clever-Paws nods before running over to his carrying-hide and pulling out his “notebook.” He then proceeds to sit and think, a habit that Unseen-Hunter has come to expect out of him.

And that very next day Clever-Paws returns with his “Strategy,” a small metal straightened claw. Clever-Paws explains that it is called a “knife” among vikings, and that it is a tool often used to strip beasts of their flesh and hide. He also explains that due to his tiny stature, and that fact it is similar to dragon claws he could use it to hunt. Unseen-Hunter saw no problem with this strategy, so they began the lessons

But this led to the other problems, and the other unforeseen ones.

Dragons are very different from each other by the laws of the world. But they all do have similarities, they wouldn’t be called dragons if they didn’t. These similarities include their inner-flames (even if they do not all spit fire, they all still contain an inner-flame) and most are able to fly. But the biggest similarity is their attunement with nature. All dragons have lived and were born in nature, wherever that might be. They all understand from somewhere deep in their inner-flames the laws of nature, and how to traverse and respect it.

Clever-Paws does not have that. Which is none of his fault, from what Unseen-Hunter understood, Clever-Paws was born in a human den, and had to return to it every night and stay there in the morning for some “viking training.”

And this training also led to some more problems. Because in this training, humans are not trained to respect nature, they are taught that they own it and can change it to how they see fit. They are taught to walk and talk loudly, and to fight brashly and with power, things that don’t work well with hunting. Luckily Clever-Paws is not good at following those instructions, his body is not built for that sort of brash and strong attitude. But, he still has those instincts and was not taught any other way and falls into those old patterns without his will, scaring away many small beasts.

It is during one of these instances that Clever-Paws finally snaps. Unseen-Hunter had seen this coming, tracking the tension’s growth over the several days the training had occupied.

They watched the hatchling stamp their paws into the place that the rabbit had been in, growling under their breath. His eyes flicked from place to place, hands clenching tightly on his Metal-Claw, before he violently yowls and chucks the knife at a tree. The knife sails into the tree, blade slicing into the bark and sticking.

And Unseen-Hunter continues to watch Clever-Paws yell and rampage until finally, the hatchling just falls onto his knees and cries. Then slowly and carefully Unseen-Hunter curls around the young human-dragon. Clever-Paws slowly leans into their embrace, the crying continuing but at a softer tone.

They sit together for a moment, until eventually Unseen-Hunter speaks up.

“There is no reason for you to be frustrated at your lack of progress… because you have made progress.”

Clever-Paws’s head snaps around to look at Unseen-Hunter, unshed tears clouding the surprised gaze of the hatchling. “I- How did-?”

“You are not the only dragon who wishes that they could learn and be better in an instant. We are way more similar than you think, young one. I may not express my frustration as openly as you do, but I do get frustrated at my lack of understanding like you do.” Unseen-Hunter pauses and looks at the male hatchling. “So, when I say that you are getting better, you are.”

“But- I can't even muffle my steps like y-” Clever-Paws stops talking when he feels a wing lightly whack him.

“And you also just began learning how to do so. And don’t try to compare yourself to me. You ain’t me, your body is not specifically made to do what I can do. You have to do it your own way, and also yourself time to learn how to do so. It takes time to become as good as I am, so trust me when I say you are making progress.” Clever-Paws nods before they both slip back into silence.

A few more days pass before something clicks in the young human-dragon.

Unseen-Hunter watches the boy from within the canopy of trees, something they often did while disguised. They watch as the boy carefully avoids the branches litter across the forest floor. The hatchling easily moves over the root of a tree, his eyes trained on a squirrel as it eats an acorn.

But, as Clever-Paws moves to close the distance between the two, his foot hits a rock. The rock skid across the ground alerting all to a presence, but as the squirrel turned to look there was nothing there. A long pause occurs where nothing happens, until finally the squirrel continues to eat its acorn.

Clever-Paws slowly moves around his hiding tree, carefully moving himself to the squirrel until finally, he leaps and soars in the air towards his target with his Metal-Claw gleaming in the light.

He then stands beaming above his first kill, as Unseen-Hunter rumbles in their throat, happy to be proven right yet again.

----------------

It was a cool misty evening when Unseen-Hunter finally divulges why they were alone.

They are curled around a tree in the chasm, a place they were starting to feel was their den with every day that passed, and in front of them sat Clever-Paws and Fuel-Of-Fire, the latter the one to ask the question. They hesitate for a moment, before a quiet tone leaves their maw.

“It was a few moons after my nestmate had passed, my inner-flame having gone to embers. Many of my flock had tried to rouse me, awaken me, but nothing worked. And so my pack-alpha sent me out on my own hunt, hoping that it would relit my inner-flame. In the end after a moon, it did work. But when I came back to our den, there was no one. No sign of life at all. Which was odd especially since I knew there were some eggs being warmed and wouldn’t hatch for many more moons, but those eggs were gone.” Unseen-Hunter paused for a moment, hearing a low mournful and knowing growl come from Fuel-Of-Fire before continuing. “I decided to search for them, hoping that they had just relocated. But, as I traveled one night, I saw human dens being burned and a flock of dragons soaring around the human dens. I went to investigate, and saw within the flock of dragons, some of my kin, dazed, and controlled.”

“Red-Queen-Alpha…” Fuel-Of-Fire mumbles.

Unseen-Hunter sadly nods, before Clever-Paws pipes up.

“Who’s Red-Quan-Alfa?” Clever-Paws asks, mumbling over his words.

“Red-Queen-Alpha,” Fuel-Of-Fire corrects before continuing. “Is a powerful alpha-dragon, who is able to control the minds of dragons, and keep them hostage to feed her ever present hunger. They are the reason why the human flock is so often attacked.” She finishes, and Unseen-Hunter catches the fact she did not mention her time under the influence of Red-Queen-Alpha. A quick look sent by the small-flame-bringer acknowledges that she did so for a reason.

Clever-Paws thinks for a moment, confusion wracking his face. “But… Why doesn’t she get her own food? Aren’t alpha-dragons supposed to be the strongest dragon?”

Unseen-Hunter sighs before responding. “She is a very powerful dragon. You are correct about that, but some dragons who contain so much power, use it to mistreat the weaker ones. And we just sadly must accept that reality.”

Clever-Paws scowls at that. “Well, I don't like what she is doing. She stole your flock away!”

Fuel-Of-Fire caresses the hair of the hatchling hoping to calm him. “And it's good you don’t like that little-one. But, there isn’t much we can do about it.”

There is a sudden rumble from Clever-Paws before he could respond. A red blush rises upon his cheeks as both Unseen-Hunter and Fuel-Of-Fire chirp in amusement.

After a moment Fuel-Of-FIre says, “But, we can do something about that. Go with Unseen-Hunter and catch us something to eat while I set up a fire for you.”

Quickly Clever-Paws rushes over to his bag to grab his Metal-Claw, while Unseen-Hunter gets down from their tree. But before they can go over to the exit to wait for the hatchling, they feel a small claw on their wing.

When they turn to Fuel-Of-Fire she begins to speak, “I just want you to know that even though you have lost your old flock, you are a part of mine and Clever-Paw’s. And you will always have a place here.”

They look at each other for a moment longer before Unseen-Hunter quietly hums, “Thank you.” And then they walk towards the exit of their den, preparing to train their flock’s hatchling again.

----------------

Unseen-Hunter is wrapped around a tree in the den, watching as Clever-Paws excitedly discusses his day, a rare occasion sadly.

“-and Metal-Paw has this huge stone-structure in the center of his metal-shaping den, and that's where he says that he makes all the weapons! And! The best part?! He says that he will be teaching me how to metal-shape!” Clever-Paws joyfully screams swaying back in forth in front of Clever-Paws, who is perched on a rock. He then continues with, “And! I talked with one of the human hatchlings in the group today!”

At this both Unseen-Hunter and Fuel-Of-Fire tense, worried at the implications, knowing what the human hatchlings usually do to Clever-Paws.

But, the small hatchling continues speaking, not seeing his flock’s reactions, “I heard him mumble under his breath as Metal-Paw discussed the purpose of the sharp-stick-slingers. And so I asked him what he was doing and then, instead of mumbling, he began telling me about the dragons that Metal-Paw mentioned. I think it was a one-of-storm? Whatever, so he was telling me about this dragon, all of this information about what they can do and how dangerous they are. So I ask him how he knows this, and he tells me that he learned it from a book his sire protects, and then he asks if I would like to see it, and so tomorrow he is going to show me!!” Finally, Clever-Paws takes a breath, his story seeming to be over with.

Fuel-Of-Fire rumbles amusedly at her hatchlings eagerness, passing a claw through his hair. “I’m glad your excited little-one, just be careful, I don’t want you to get hurt again. Okay?”

Clever-Paws nods, but as he is about to say something a giant shadow passes over the chasm. The shadow passes over them again, the beating of wings rings out throughout the chasm before the hulking shadow lands just a few steps away from the pair.

Quickly Unseen-Hunter launches themself down to the ground in front of the copper four-winged a hiss escaping their jaw as they protectively curl around their flock.

There is no sound for a while as the dragon stares at the flock, until finally a dragon speaks, from behind Unseen-Hunter.

Fuel-Of-Fire quietly hisses, “Protector-Of-Fire?”