Work Text:
“He’s awful!” Tsunami sputtered. “He’s a horrible, terrible, slimy excuse for a dragon.” Riptide watched her pacing from a distance, with a hint of humor plastered on his face. “He’s delightful, isn’t he?”
Tsunami huffed. “I hate him. It’s not fair.” She plopped down on the cold, rocky floor and sighed. “Now, who are we talking about again?” Riptide asked, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. “Webs!”
Riptide winced. “You too, huh?” He sighed. Tsunami whirled around to face him. “I hate him. I. Hate. Him.”
Tsunami plopped down on the rocky floor of their shallow cave, and tilted her head at the other dragon. “I won't apologize,” she said, sticking her snout up at the mere thought.
“Maybe he left the queen for a reason,” Riptide said, carefully. “Maybe he wanted more than just to save his own hide.” Tsunami snorted. Riptide ignored her. “Maybe he wanted peace. You know, the greater good?”
“Why do you care so much about Webs, anyway?” Tsunami narrowed her eyes at him. “Do you see yourself in him or something?” Riptide took a step towards her.
“Are you insinuating that I am a traitor?” He asked. “So what if I am?” Tsunami taunted. “Your mother isn't the queen she claims to be. She’s brutal and selfish and-” Tsunami growled. “Don’t talk about my mother like that! She’s the only one who ever wanted me.”
Tsunami could feel Riptide’s eyes boring into her. She kept her eyes on the ground in front of her, careful not to let him see the tears falling from her face. Riptide could say what he wanted about her mother. She was kind, and considerate-
An image flashed through her head, of the two wounded soldiers giving a report at Queen Coral’s council meeting, just that morning. Tsunami had to ask her mother to send the soldiers for care.
Riptide turned to leave, the suddenness of it bringing Tsunami back to the present.
“Riptide?” She called out. He turned to look at her, his face expressionless and his voice cold. “Yes, Tsunami?” “I’m sorry,” she said. Riptide gave her a small smile.
“It’s okay, Tsunami,” he said. “You’re not the only one with parents like that.”
Tsunami sniffed, wiping the tears from her snout and looking up at Riptide. “Like that?” She questioned. “Like… not a good dragon?” He exited the cave, leaving Tsunami to question just what he meant by that.