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Humans, Alear decided, were strange creatures. They celebrated even the smallest things, acting as though anything and everything was a great feat. Perhaps it was to be expected with what short lifespans they had, wishing to pack as much joy as could be had in their lives. Whatever their reasons, the dragon never really cared. At least not until she had to deal with one on the regular.
Accepting a nosy human for a steward brought forward those eccentricities. Thankfully, Willow was never pushy with their human traditions. Well, not at first. They kept their distance for Alear’s sake, but when she started talking to the human, those little things began to slip out. It baffled the dragon to see her usually composed steward turn stubborn, adamant that they find a way to celebrate something as mundane as Alear’s birthday.
With time, though, she came to find this endearing. As much as Alear hated to admit, she enjoyed these little moments and the gifts her steward brought to celebrate various occasions. Though it became just as infuriating when Willow refused to answer her questions, like when their own birthday was or the gifts they enjoyed. It seemed they wouldn’t allow the dragon to spoil them as they had done for her.
Alear refused to give up, though. She was determined to repay their kindness one way or another. And when the chance arrived, she pounced. It came when the two were on one of their usual strolls through the nearby town. Thankfully it had barely been touched by the war and so long as Alear hid her features beneath a cloak, no one batted an eye. Even if her safety was assured, Willow always came along, opting to at least carry a knife when the dragon refused to let them draw attention in their armor.
They had been making their way through the crowded market streets when something caught the dragon’s eye. A shiny object of green and gold. Without a word, Alear changed direction, approaching a market stall lined with various pieces of jewelry. While many of them looked quite nice, there was one piece in particular that caught the dragon’s eye.
It was a rather simple thing. A small golden brooch with a green gem placed in the center. There were no fancy patterns or gaudy designs. Simple but elegant. Just like Willow. That was enough for Alear to happily part with some gold, trading it for the brooch.
“Find something for your collection?”
Alear let out a small yelp, turning back to find Willow peering over her shoulder. A large smile split across their face, curiosity glinting in bright green eyes. The dragon breathed out a laugh, seeing how interested the steward was in her habits—including the way they liked to refer to her hoard.
“Not quite.”
They quirked a brow at that, head tilted slightly in curiosity. “Oh? Then what’s in your hand?”
Willow’s voice tilted up into a slight plea, earning another laugh from the dragon. Her grip on the brooch tightened, obscuring the object in her fist as she moved to continue their stroll. “It’s a secret.”
“Hey, wait!” The steward scrambled to keep up with their liege, dropping their composure with a small whimper. “I’m the last person you should be keeping secrets from!”
Alear simply smiled at that, watching how Willow pouted. They always liked to compare her to a baby wyvern, but they seemed the child here. Their incessant pestering about the hidden item continued on, even as the duo left the town. With a sigh, Alear stopped, lowering her hood to get a proper look at the steward.
“Do you really want to know what I bought?”
Willow opened their mouth to respond before snapping it shut, instead just giving a simple nod.
“Alright. But close your eyes first.”
The steward raised a brow and let out a sigh. “That hardly seems necessary. But…very well.”
They complied; eyes snapped shut as they patiently waited. Alear fumbled with the brooch for a moment before stepping towards the steward. Carefully, she took the fabric of Willow’s necktie, pausing when they bristled at the action. Though they softened after a few moments, allowing the dragon to continue as she pinned the brooch.
“You can open them now.”
Alear stepped back to admire her steward. The brooch looked rather nice on Willow, and the gem matched their eyes perfectly—glinting a beautiful green in the sunlight. For their own part, they seemed somewhat confused, grabbing the brooch with one hand, pulling at it slightly to try and get a look at it.
“What’s this for?”
“It’s a gift. For everything you’ve done.”
Willow’s lips pulled into a warm smile, much brighter than any Alear had seen before. “Thank you. Though this definitely seems like something that belongs in your collection. Unless you’re claiming me as one of your treasures?”
Alear’s face burned the same deep shade of crimson as her hair, sputtering at her steward’s proposition. Her mouth snapped shut at the sound of their laughter—one of their jokes. The dragon mumbled, moving to continue their journey home. “I hate you.”
“I know you do.”
Yet the two of them still smiled. And deep down, Alear couldn’t help but agree with Willow’s words. Perhaps that brooch was one of her treasures, or at least something belonging to her greatest treasure of all.