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Impulse wished he wasn’t a Dragon.
And there were other times he knew it was necessary that he was.
He lived in the balance between both extremes.
Between both hating the biggest part of himself and relying on it.
Because if Impulse could choose.
He’d rather just be human.
Live a simple unassuming life.
Just be normal.
He tried to do that via shapeshifting just before he met Skizz
But…
If he wasn’t a dragon, Impulse never would have met Skizz.
The strange human was a magnet for danger.
There were multiple occasions where the Dragon had to step in and save his human..
That was…
Until he gave into his instincts and fell into hibernation.
Leaving his friend defenceless.
Or
So he thought.
Skizz ended up having connections in the fey world.
And he actually saved Impulse’s life.
It called into question if he even needed to be a dragon ever again.
It’s not like it was useful anymore.
Even now,
Impulse and Skizz weren’t even in their normal home.
Instead in a fey domain
The same domain where Skizz grew up.
Impulse felt like an intruder.
Even in his human form.
He didn’t belong.
“Hey Dipple Dop? You alright?” Skizz’s voice Interrupted Impulse thoughts
“Huh? Oh- um yeah I’m fine “
Skizz gave the dragon a look, raising his eyebrow unconvinced.
“I’m fine! Honestly Skizz-“
“Why are you lying right now Homie?”
“I’m not lying! Just drop it-“ Impulse’s tone was sharper than he wanted it to be but Skizz wasn’t deterred.
“Dude I haven’t lived with you for over half a year and not picked up how to tell when you’re upset.”
Those lapis blue eyes Bore into Impulse’s chocolate brown.
And he couldn’t help but slump under the weight of that gaze.
“Dipple Dop- just talk to me Buddeh.”
“I… don’t belong here…”
“What?”
“I don’t belong here- I’m not needed.”
“Impulse.”
Skizz closed the distance between his best friend and grasped his shoulders in a firm hold. “Why would you believe you’re not needed?? Did someone say something?!”
“N-no, no one said anything- I can just… tell.”
“Dude…”
Impulse was looking at his feet, trying to hide from the knowing stare of his best friend.
“Would it be easier to talk somewhere cosy?”
“.. It depends…”
“You still haven’t seen my room yet? Papa K makes sure to keep lots of blankets in there-“
Impulse wanted to leave this domain.
But he couldn’t abandon Skizz,
It made his heart ache just to think about.
“Yeah- that would be good.”
Skizz took Impulse’s hand and led the dragon to the safety of his room.
The room itself wasn’t anything fancy.
there was a single beg off to the side, a desk on the opposite wall, a closet and a single corner dedicated to beanbags and blankets.
Skizz flopped down in that corner dragging Impulse down on top of him in the process.
Impulse didn’t protest, instead just moving to his hoard’s side and resting his head on Skizz’s shoulder.
The human pulled a weighted fuzzy blanket over the both of them before wrapping an arm around his Dragon.
“You feeling better to tell me what’s going on in that big head of your Impy Dimpy?”
“Hey- My head isn’t that big, not when I’m human at least.”
“But you are a Dragon Bud- big head is default.”
Impulse huffed pulling away from Skizz and sitting up.
“Yeah yeah I know I’m a dragon Skizz you don’t gotta point it out every waking moment.”
Again Impulse’s tone was far too sharp, and he wondered what it would take to piss Skizz off.
“Whoa, Impy what do you mean by that??”
“It doesn’t matter-“
“Yes it does!-“ Skizz sad up and grabbed Impulse’s arm, trying to make eye contact with his best friend
Only for Impulse to pull his arm away.
“Impulse… please talk to me.”
“You‘re not going to understand, you don’t get this type of thing.”
“How can you know that if you won’t tell me?!!”
“I JUST KNOW!” The frustration leaked through Impulse’s magic shifting his form larger, sprouting his wings and horns and turning his lovely chocolate brown eyes gold.
He was still humanoid but more horrifying to look at.
More terrible.
More monstrous.
Impulse stared down in disgust at his claws and bronze scales.
His dragon form wasn’t useful anymore.
He couldn’t protect his hoard.
Couldn’t protect Skizz.
A small hand came and rested on his claws and Impulse followed it up to a sympathetic face.
Those piercing blue eyes met Impulse’s golden irises and he felt like he’d fall apart right there.
“Impulse… please talk to me.”
The Dragon let out a sigh,
“My dragon side isn’t usefully anymore…. All it did was put you in more danger….. I wish it was gone.”
“Oh… Dipple Dop…” Skizz crawled onto Impulse’s lap, reaching up to wiping away the tears from his best friend’s face. “Your dragon side doesn’t have to be useful Buddeh, you just need to be you-“
“I hate that part of me-“
“I don’t-“
Impulse’s wings twitched,
“You’re my friend, dragon or not- I love ya either way man.”
“I don’t belong here.”
“You do.”
“I’m intruding.”
“You’re not.”
“I’m not needed.”
“You are. I need my Dipple Dop, rain or shine Buddeh you’re stuck with me for the long hall.”
As Skizz said this he threw his body weight against Impulse.
Pushing him back to lay down in the blanket nest, his arms clung around Impulse’s neck.
Impulse’s voice warbled as he spoke next.
“How can you be so sure??”
Skizz pulled the fuzzy blanket over both of them again.
“How did you know I was your hoard?”
“I- just…. knew.”
“Well I know… that you’re my best friend… and I know that so long as we’re together. Neither of us will be out of place or useless- I promise.”
The aching and insecurity in Impulse’s chest eased.
Not fully erased.
But Skizz’s presence brought peace with it.
Peace worth protecting.
Whether he needed it or not.
The Dragon brought his arms and wings around his human.
Creating a cocoon around the both of them.
“Love uuu Buddeh-“ Skizz muttered sleepily as he snuggled into Impulse’s side more.
“I…. Love you too Skizz…. Thank you… for everything.”
“Anytime Dipple Dop… anytime.”