Chapter Text
Cobra glanced around the market of the Scorpion Den. She needed parts to finish building the landmines for her Father's Compound. Vulture, her father, was the most powerful Crime Lord in Phyrria, who would be in full control of this town if it weren't thanks to those do-gooder Outlaws led by Thorn, making business harder for her father. And so, to help keep them from turning up at the front gates of his compound, he ordered her to start building landmines in order to give them a nice surprise next time they decided to come around.
Someone ran into her, bringing her out of her thoughts to glare dangerously at the dragon responsible. “Sorry!” the SandWing said, giving her an awkward smile as his wings fluttered nervously. She frowned. “Mind where you walk,” she said gruffly, pushing past him. Little did she know, this wouldn't be the last time she'd see him. Every time she left the Compound, she'd run into him or he ran into her (on purpose). And then he would talk to her. Normally, it would annoy Cobra to the point of wanting to rip his head clean off, but for some reason, she didn't feel that way when it was him. He had these strange freckles all over his snout, and in the darkest depths of her mind, she found them cute. By now, Cobra had gotten fond of him; he was so precious, far too much for this horrible place. If Cobra brought him back to her father, surely he'd have to agree to it. He did say he wanted heirs, a perfect heir, just like him—male, which is why she wasn't his heir. It was frustrating, but she never questioned her father, always doing as he said. Now, though, she might defy him... if only once.
She counted every single time she ran into Sage—three hundred and forty-eight times. It was definitely time to bring him back to the compound. Her father would have to deal with it. And if he killed her... well, it would be worth it if Sage lived. But Sage was safe with her, an assassin with a powerful and dangerous Crime Lord father who made her the powerful assassin she was and could very well be a threat to Sage.
Cobra spotted him, exactly where he always was, in the back west corner of the market, waiting for her. He was so cute, he was so excited he couldn't keep himself still just waiting for her. Cobra had never thought she'd be one to find love, but here she was, walking over to a dragon who'd become her whole world. He was significantly smaller than her and probably couldn't harm a fly. She could care less about that; her father, on the other hand... she shook her wings out, shaking off that thought along with it.
As Cobra approached, Sage immediately bounded into her arms, wrapping his arms around her neck. She let a tiny smile creep onto her snout for a moment.
"I want you to come back to the Compound with me.”
"Oh," Sage said, eyes wide, "I wasn't expecting that, but alright..." He giggled, his eyes scrunching up in that cute way they always did when he laughed. As he let go of her, he grinned up at her. He was happy because of her; now, who had Cobra ever made happy? She looked down at him, her gaze softening a tiny bit. “Come on,” she said, beckoning for him to follow. “Let's go.” She turned and walked away through the bustling market, ignoring the salesmen calling out to her.
The walk back to the compound was silent, Sage staying glued to her side. She made sure to tell him to only follow in her talon steps, avoiding the secret landmines hidden about the outside of the walls of the Compound. Several dark-cloaked dragons watched atop that wall as she led Sage inside, eerily silent as always, but Cobra paid them no mind, being used to it. But all of the cloaked dragons wondered the same thing: what could Cobra possibly be doing with a small SandWing in tow? Who looked so... pathetic? Sage stayed huddled beneath one of her wings, shooting quick nervous glances at their silent dragons watching them as they entered the Compound. Her father emerged from the shadows of the hallway, his dark eyes staring straight at Sage as he noticed Sage clinging to Cobra like a lost dragonet.
"What have we here?" he asked, a sly smirk creeping up his snout. "A lost weakling looking for a new home?” Cobra's eyes narrowed, her tail lashing. "Father, this is Sage. He's going to be staying here, with me.” Vulture chuckled at his daughter, looking over her. Cobra heard Sage whimper, pressing himself as close as he could to her.
"You're lucky I need a proper heir…” Her tail twitched agitatedly behind her as she maintained her mask of stockiness. Her father tilted his head, giving Sage a toothy grin, and for some reason, that grin sent shivers down her spine. Finally, his gaze moved from Sage to Cobra.
“Very well, as long as he doesn't plan to cause any trouble, he may stay.” Vulture then slithered away. Maybe Cobra was imagining it, but it felt as if he'd left two words out of that sentence… "For now." she thought to herself. No, she thought at her father, as if he could hear her. You will never lay even a claw on him. Not as long as I'm here…
"Come on, Sage, let's get you settled in." She led him deeper into the Compound to her quarters. She ushered Sage into her spacious quarters with her wings. The large room was adorned with dark furniture and red drapes; one side was lined with weapon racks. A bunch of cabinets on the other side held all of her deadly poisons. Cobra turned back and closed the door behind them with a firm click.
"Well, here we are.” Sage finally lifted his head from her neck, opening his eyes and looking around. He was trembling a little. She wrapped a wing around him, pulling him into the curve of her chest. "My father won't hurt you, as long as I'm here," Cobra reassured him, her voice both reassuring and withholding a dangerous promise. He let out a shuddering sigh. She held him for a long moment, feeling his heart pounding in against her chest as she listened to his breathing slow. Once he seemed calm, she gently pulled back, looking him over.
"I'm going to go get you something to eat. Stay here and rest, okay?” She started to back away, heading for the door, but he grabbed her arm before she could reach it.
"No!" Sage cried, flushing, embarrassed about how truly scared he was of being alone here. "I–I mean, can't I just come with you?" He looked away from her, wings drooping. Cobra frowned a little before nodding slowly.
"I don't see why not." She felt him twine his tail with hers, and for now, she let him. "Let's go then." She tipped her head towards the door, slipping out of his arms.