He'd been sitting on the edge of the bridge for several hours. It was not a particularly high bridge - it was only about three metres to the water, and that was not flowing especially fast. No, he was just sitting there, thinking about how much Uni sucked, how awful his step-dad had become after his mum died, and how the heck he was expected to pay rent if he was going to move out.
It was getting cold, and he was thinking about heading home when there was a sudden rush of wind, and something huge landed on the railing next to him. He screamed and tried to get away, only to lose his balance, and toppled towards the water.
He'd barely started to fall when a huge claw closed about him.
And lifted him back onto the rail.
A serpentine head swung into view, full of needle-sharp teeth. It looked at him, and, before he could scream again, spoke in a surprisingly melodic voice "Sorry about that. For startling you, that is." The claw released him. "Are you OK? I did not hurt you, did I?" He shook his head. "Good."
Now he'd had a chance to take in the form in front of him, he was even more shocked. There, perched on the railing next to him, was a dragon. A huge dragon - probably half his height again at the shoulder. It looked down "That is not very far, is it?"
It was clearly waiting for an answer. "Er, no. But it is a nice view."
"Oh, you were not..."
"No, just angsting."
"Just?"
And somehow he started telling this huge creature everything.
As he started to run down, he suddenly stopped. "Hang on, I don't even know your name!"
"And I do not know yours."
"Er, OK, Nathan. Nathan Edweiss."
"You can call me ... Hmm ... My real name you don't have the throat to pronounce. So call me 'Rose', that's a pretty name."
"Uh, hi Rose."
"Hello Nathan. The sun will be rising soon."
"Ah, crap. I'd better get moving. It was nice talking to you, Rose. Thanks."
"My pleasure, Nathan. I will watch for you."
"Where do you live, anyway?"
"Up that way", Rose gestured towards a distant scarp, "I have very good eyesight."
The next night, Nathan sat on the bridge again. This time he did not scream or fall when the dragon landed next to him.
Despite the repeated late nights, Nathan found it was becoming easier to study. Having something - no - someone to look forward to made all the difference. He started to slouch less, and a couple of people even made passes at him.
It was after the second of these that he asked Rose "What are we?"
"What do you want us to be, Nathan?"
"Something more?"
"I don't think a bridge is an appropriate place to have that conversation. Climb up, and I'll take us somewhere better."
"What? Ride on you?"
"Why not?"
Nathan blushed "Um, it just seems, uh..."
"Well, in that case, you certainly should. I think we are going to have a very in depth talk."
Nathan missed the next day's classes.
#SF #SFF #Fantasy #Dragon #microfic #Microfiction #tootfic #IAmWriting
Rose uncurled from around Nathan gently, letting him sleep a little more.
Far quieter than someone would expect of a creature of her size, she made her way to the mouth of the cave, and looked out. In the distance was a city, a river running through it, crossed here and there by bridges. Between it and her were parks, reserves, and suburbs.
Other than Nathan, only a handful of people knew of her existence here. A witch and her husband. A strange half-plant girl and her girlfriend. A few others. She was tickled to think of the hundreds across the world who thought they knew her - but thought that she was a particularly in-character writer, via her social media posts. None of them knew that she really was a dragon.
Looking back over her shoulder and wings at Nathan. He had grown much since they first met, when he was an awkward twenty year old trying to get ahead in his studies, and she was proud of having had a role in that growth. Proud of the man she loved.
But.
As much as they loved each other, one thing was impossible for them.
Children.
She looked back out.
Young Anthea's half plant hybrid form notwithstanding, draconic and human genes were simply not going to blend.
If they were going to be parents they would have to take another path. And this would not be something she could help Nathan with. This he would have to do alone.
Adopt.
It would, she knew, take years, and time was not on their side. Not because Nathan was dying, but because their love had brought one change to him. He had stopped aging. And sooner or later they would have to move and start anew before someone noticed.
"Rose?" came a sleepy voice from behind her, "What's up?"
"Good morning my love. I was thinking about family."
He came up behind her, "I'm sorry - you know I'd be happy for you" she cut him off with a gentle tap of a claw on his lips.
"No, love, you are the only one for me. No, I was thinking of a more complicated solution." She curled up around him again. "We, well, you, should adopt."
"Adopt? That's going to be tricky as a legally single guy."
"Nevertheless I believe it can be done. But we will need to move swiftly, you are not getting any older."
"I guess I'm not. I'll start scoping out the procedure. Maybe see if Charlie can lend a hand. Or Toby."
"Now, my love, let's greet the morning properly."
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