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“You’re doing wonderful, Copper! You have a great handle on your dragon form!”
Alear called out to the dragon hovering above the forest clearing. She spent a few hours in this remote area, training a young half-dragon who arrived in his life a few months ago. It was only yesterday that she was informed of an orphan awakening to their dragon abilities. She took it upon herself to train the little one, giving him proper guidance, something that neither she nor Veyle received from their father.
The half-dragon landed before Alear, transforming back into a young boy with reddish brown hair. The boy fell into the older dragon’s arms, panting heavily.
“Hah… This is hard, Divine One… b-but I’m no longer scared!” Copper embraced Alear. “Will I become as strong as you someday?”
“You’re going to become stronger… and there’s no need for titles,” Alear patted the boy on the back. “You’re a resident of the Somniel now. That makes us friends. Family, even.”
Thanks to a certain someone, she managed to adopt the boy and bring him into Lythos as an honored guest. She had hoped Copper would feel comfortable dropping the titles, but she knew she had to be patient.
“There you two are! Hiya Papaya, my two favorite dragons in the whole world,” a familiar cheerful voice filled Alear’s ears. “Working hard or hardly working… Hehe, I’m a riot...”
“Yunaka!”
“Miss Yunaka…!”
Alear and Copper both turn to the bubbling thief waving from afar.
“I see my little guy is doing swell,” Yunaka feigned sadness. “How sad… My little friend is going to forget all about me…”
“That’s n-not true, Ms. Yunaka…!” Copper shook his head. “You’re like a big sister to me. I’ll never forget your kindness at the orphanage.”
“Aw… You’re going to make a girl blush. I never saw myself as a big sister,” Yunaka cleared her throat. “I agree with Alear, though. You two are practically family now! If you’re not careful…”
Yunaka grinned before creeping behind Alear, grabbing the Divine Dragon by the waist.
“I’m going to steal her away!”
“Ah! Y-Yunaka, please…”
“Ah, I see… I see,” Copper nodded in understanding. “The Divine Dragon did say you two were married, so…”
“Well, married is a bit of a stretch,” Yunaka averted her gaze, blushing. “I don’t know how I’d handle weddings… and do dragons even marry?”
“Don’t ask me…” Alear murmured. “I’m still new to all of this.”
The half dragon swayed back and forth, in deep contemplation. Alear and Yunaka stared at the child, having such a serious look on his face.
“So… Um… You’re okay with me calling you something else, Divine One? I don’t have to use your title?”
“You can call me whatever you like,” Alear nodded with a smile. “Whatever makes you comfortable.”
Copper fidgeted for a moment before looking both girls in the eyes.
“Alright… I think I know what I want to call you two!”
“Well, don’t keep me waiting, Coppy!” Yunaka shook Alear’s shoulders. “I’m dying with anticipation!”
“Y-Yunaka, I’m getting ditzy,” Alear groaned as her vision blurred.
“Maybe later,” Copper smiled sheepishly. “I’m a bit tired… I think I’m going to rest at the Somniel for a little bit…”
“Take your time,” Alear chuckled. “We’ll pick up on your training for tomorrow. Make sure to get plenty of rest and take good care of your dragonstone.”
“Yeah, get some rest, little guy. I’ll make your favorite dish for dinner tonight. You’ve earned it!”
“That sounds nice… Thanks, Mom and Dad…”
“See you, Copper.”
“Take care, my little Coppy!”
Alear smiled as the half-dragon left the forest clearing, leaving the couple alone. Silence filled the area as the two admired the young boy’s strength, so much so that it took them nearly a minute to realize the little one’s last words. Alear blinked a few times before glancing to Yunaka, sharing the same puzzled expression.
“Wait…”
“Did he…?”
Silence again. The two girls stared at each other before glancing in the direction where Copper had disappeared
“...So, um…”
Yunaka cleared her throat.
“Am I the dad… or you are…?”
“I… I don’t know.” Alear shook her head. “We might have to ask him later…”
“I knew this sort of thing would happen when you adopted him, but… I didn’t expect to get dragged into it,” Yunaka chuckled, failing to hide her blush. “I guess we’re parents, now?”
“I guess so…”
“...Y’know… I’m okay with this,” Yunaka scratched her cheek. “I’ve already made up my mind to help the children this world had abandoned… I might as well give that little guy a family we didn’t have growing up.”
“That’s fine with me. I don’t want anyone, especially young dragons, to suffer like Veyle and I,” Alear leaned against Yunaka’s shoulder.
“Do you think we’d make good parents? I mean, we’re not exactly the most normal gals around…”
“We might have some difficulties at first, but we’ll get used to it.”
Alear closed her eyes, wondering if Lumera felt similarly when she adopted an emotionless fell dragon who never knew kindness and warmth. She could only hope that she could be half as good at being a parent as the previous queen of Lythos.
“...But seriously… Which one of us is the dad?” Yunaka said in a whisper. “Now, I’m curious…”
“I think that role belongs to me, most likely,” Alear teased. “I think that role suits me more…”
“Hey, no fair! What if I wanted to be the dad?!” Yunaka pouted. “How about we bet on it? Whoever Copper calls dad is the winner! If I win, you’d have to buy me this rare weapon I saw in town!”
“Alright, you’re on… If I win, you have to impersonate me again. I need a break from Vander!”
“Deal! No takebacks!”
“You’d best give up, Yunaka… I already know that I’ll win the bet.”
Later that day, Alear was seen buying multiple weapons at the armory. She actually won the bet, but couldn’t bring herself to ignore her partner’s pleading.