Work Text:
If you were to ask Xbalanque what his favorite thing about Och-Kan was, he wouldn’t be able to tell you.
That’s not to say that Xbalanque couldn’t find anything good to say about Och-Kan, certainly not; his problem was quite the opposite. Xbalanque simply found too many things to adore about the half-dragon than he could put into words.
He would admit, however, that he wished Och-Kan would not be so ashamed of his draconic features. You see, Xbalanque had noticed since meeting Och-Kan that he had a habit of hiding any parts of him that weren’t human enough. Over the years, Xbalanque has only ever gotten glimpses of perhaps a fang here or a scale there. Xbalanque has never found these details unsettling, instead seeing them as another beautiful part of Och-Kan.
He lamented the fact that Och-Kan simply didn’t feel comfortable enough with himself to let those parts of him show regularly.
The nights, however, are a different story. Och-Kan lets his guard down during the nights he spends by Xbalanque, knowing full well that he is safe with him. It is during these nights that Xbalanque finds himself staying up later, all so that he can peer at the man next to him and admire all of the parts of Och-Kan.
Xbalanque often finds himself very gently lifting up Och-Kan’s lip to peer at the fangs that rest behind them. He often coos quietly to himself, thinking they are quite cute on the man. Sometimes, he even allows himself to gently feel the sharp point of the end of the tooth. He knows that on the other side of Och-Kan’s mouth, the other sharp fang rests. He has noticed that Och-Kan’s teeth, in general, are sharper than a regular human’s, and he has noted it down as a favorite feature of his.
Once he is done admiring his beloved’s fangs, he moves onto Och-Kan’s skin. Dark purple and black scales can be found all along Och-Kan’s body. Some are in patches, while others are simply singular scales scattered across skin. Xbalanque is always gentle whenever he feels the scales. He knows that Och-Kan is strong, knows that his scales are sure to be even more so, and yet he cannot help but be oh-so-very gentle.
He always admires the smooth scales, their curved diamond shaping, the way they seem to shimmer lightly and give an iridescent sheen when under the moonlight. Xbalanque compares them to something similar to stars in the night sky, and he always reckons that it seems an accurate comparison. After all, if Xbalanque is supposed to be the sun, he feels Och-Kan will always be his moon. He feels that the scales suit Och-Kan, and he cannot help but wish that his beloved would show them.
Xbalanque tends to follow the path of Och-Kan’s scales down to his hands. While not noticeable to most, Xbalanque has taken notice that Och-Kan has sharper nails than most humans do. Xbalanque always takes his time admiring even this small part of Och-Kan, too, always taking Och-Kan’s hand in his. He tends to kiss each finger gently, lovingly, wishing perhaps that if he loves Och-Kan fiercely enough, then his love will rub off on Och-Kan himself.
Above all, however, Xbalanque loves Och-Kan’s eyes the most. Xbalanque always compares them to the brightest of stars in his mind—the brightest golden hue. Xbalanque has noticed that over the years, Och-Kan’s previously round pupils have gotten sharper, more slitted. Och-Kan hates it, Xbalanque knows, and it will sometimes unsettle the merchants and hunters they come across. Xbalanque, however, adores them as he does any part of Och-Kan. He adores the ways that Och-Kan’s eyes will slit even further when he is concentrating or annoyed. The way those sharp pupils become wide when he is surprised or flustered.
Xbalanque loves Och-Kan’s eyes the most because they are the truest reflection of his human soul.