Sixty-Six Years Ago, 2019

I was walking on the wall that surrounds the dragon city with Sierra, already going over my plan of telling her about my feelings for Tommy. I basically told her every single word.

Like when it started, how I'm so nervous and scared of losing him, that I actually dreamed that he's a handsome black drake, everything. And from what it looked liked, she listened to every word that came out of my snout.

This morning after me and Tommy woke up in the motel, we both went to Sierra and Wayne's house before we had to leave the city for today, I thought it'd be the perfect time to see Sierra about my problem. Wayne is at her house chatting with Tommy. Which that outa keep him busy for awhile.

I hope I can get my answer of how to tell a human how I feel without making him feel awkward about me, I can't take it anymore.

Please Sierra, for the love of our ancestors, help me.

Me and Sierra have sat down on our haunches on a spot on the wall now, both of our bodies facing the outskirts of the city. Not a bad morning view, if you ask me.

Sierra reared back her head and let out a big yawn, her maw opening and her tongue curling. She stopped yawning, shook her head and giggled, "Wow, sorry about that."

I turned my head and chuckled at her, "What was that all about? You have been yawning like that since me and Tommy came to your house."

Sierra let out a tired sigh, "Oh, I haven't gotten much sleep last night."

I cocked my head, "Really? What happened? Did Wayne start hogging all the furs?"

Sierra rolled her eyes, "Oh ancestors, I'm bigger than him, so I'd be the one doing all the hogging." Then she had a curious look on her face, "I don't know what has gotten into me lately. I mean, I had slept good two nights ago, but now last night, I haven't. I...I think it's because of these....Dreams."

"Dreams?"

Sierra nodded, "Yeah, those weird dreams that I've been having lately." She shook her head, "I don't understand those dreams at all, but they're kinda getting to me."

I asked with a curious face, "What were they about?"

Sierra stared out at the outskirts and told her tale, "I don't really know. All that I can remember is, I keep hearing this weird voice calling out to me and I keep ending up in this...Cave." She shook her again, "I don't think I've ever seen this kind of cave before, because the inside of that cave, didn't look like an ordinary cave at all."

"Why?"

"Because that cave had some kind of...Chamber in it." I raised one eyebrow as Sierra talked about it, "Some chamber with strange depictions on the walls. Several depictions that had dragons and humans on them. Every time I end up in that place, I wake up. I don't know why I keep having those dreams, but they seem more odd as I keep having them." She let out a sigh, "Every time I wake up in the morning after having that kind of dream, I feel tired."

I just stared at her, "Well if you're feeling tired, then maybe you should go back to sleep."

She giggled, "Oh I'm fine, in fact, I think we should make a trade on dreams." She looked at me and teased, "You have my dreams and I'll have yours."

I waved her off with a paw and giggled, "No, thank you. I don't want your weird dreams."

She snorted with a grin, "Some friend you are." Then she had a confused look, "I don't know why I keep having them. I mean I never been to that place before. They all started maybe....Months ago. Even I can't figure it out. They keep coming back to me, when I least expect it."

I suggested with a concern look, "Maybe you should eat something that'll help you stop having those weird dreams. Maybe that'll help."

Sierra had an odd look as she shifted on her haunches to face her body towards me, "I'll tell you this, Rain. They feel so real. Like I was really there, you know?"

My eyes went wide at that, "That's...Odd."

She shot up her head and laughed, "I know. But dreams aren't real, they're just dreams. There's nothing real about them."

I asked, "Does Wayne know?"

Sierra shook her head, "Not really. I just think it's ridiculous, getting myself worked up over those dreams. So no point in telling him anything. He'd say the same thing. They're just dreams, and there's nothing to worry about."

I had a sad look on my face and looked at the skyline of the city, "Yeah."

Sierra held a pity look for me, "You're still bothered about Tommy, aren't you?"

I nodded and gazed back at her, after shifting on my haunches facing her too, "Sierra, this whole thing is really getting to me." I let out a sigh, "I keep having that feeling buzzing around within me and I feel like I want to let it out, every time I look at Tommy. Every time I'm close to him, I want to just scream out my feelings toward him." I raised a claw, "One time, yesterday while me and him were on our way to the Braveheart, I actually wanted to plant my snout against his small human lips and kiss him, right in the middle of a street. Never caring that other dragons would see us do it."

Sierra was grinning at that, "Yikes, you really are in love with him. I can even see you doing that to him right now."

I let out a groan and shut my eyes, "Sierra, I keep feeling so conflicted of telling him the truth. I...I just don't want to lose him. I don't want to lose the human that I've grown to love. I...I don't want to lose my Tommy."

Sierra nodded twice slowly and said, "I understand how you feel. That's what it felt like to me, before I got together with Wayne. Even Neal went through the same thing with Amanda." She rolled up her eyes, looking at the morning blue sky, "Of course, I got lucky when it came to Eric, after telling him how I feel. He said that I reminded him of his human mate and he didn't see any problem with what I am. He really did want me."

Then she had a bit of an haunting look, as she looked back at me, "But of course, when it came to Wayne, that's a different story. He didn't exactly just take my words real well at first, he felt awkward with me afterward. But not long after that, he began to realize he loved me too, and after some coaching from a certain old dragoness, he came to me and told me how he felt. Which I'm still glad he did. Fate really came through for me."

Sierra shrugged her shoulders and said, "Even Neal just told Amanda about his feelings one night, when she was in her moment of sadness and despair. And they got together as well. He was real lucky he's with her, after all. Fate really did a good job brining them together as well."

I opened my eyes and pointed at myself, "But this is me and Tommy, we're talking about. I love him as my mate, but I just....Don't know what to do."

Sierra nodded again, "I know your feeling. I didn't want to lose Wayne after telling him how I've felt and I'm glad that I didn't. But for me telling him how I feel, it was a tough thing to do, but I did."

I asked her in a desperate tone, "So what am I supposed to do? Let it go, or just tell him? Because I can't see how this is going to work out for us. He's a human and I'm a dragon. He's not really Wayne and Amanda, and he's not even Eric. I...I'm really afraid of this."

Sierra got off her haunches and sighed. She was frowning to herself as she thought of the answer, "Well...It's a tough thing to answer. A pretty tough thing to go through. Especially the species gap. Everyone has different opinions about love. Even humans."

I said with that sad look still, "But I love him, Sierra. I really love Tommy."

Sierra took a couple of steps toward me, "I know that and I was in your paws twice about this sort of situation. And I'm actually happy that you felt this way about someone for the first time. You never did feel that way before."

I shook my head, muttering one word, "No....I never have." I gave her a pleading look, "Please, Sierra, what am I supposed to do? You've been through this before, so help me. Help me overcome my conflicted feelings. How can I tell him without being so afraid? Tell me, what do I do?"

Sierra took a deep breath and let it out, "You want to know what I think you should do?" I nodded and she raised a claw, "Look, since this is the first time  this has happened to you, I need you to listen to me very carefully and remember everything that I've told you afterwards, understand?"

I nodded once more and Sierra went on after she put her paw down, "I don't think you should tell Tommy right away, about how you feel. I think what you need to do, is wait for the right moment to tell him. Wait for that moment to come and don't rush it. Take some time to build this courage. You already know how you feel about him, but now you have to find the right time to show him."

I was asking her this, "But when is the right time?"

Sierra hummed in thought, "I don't know when the right time comes, only you can know that." She grinned at me, "And you know when I think about it, since you two are so close, how he clings to you so much. Maybe by the way he looks at you. I can think that he loves you too. And he's waiting for the right moment too, just like you."

I glanced to my left, staring at the city again. I let out a big uncertain sigh, "You're probably wrong about that. He probably never thought that way about me. He probably only thought about me as his angel and friend the whole time. Not to mention, he thinks that I'm in love with Neal, but I'm not." I let out a sad breath, "I told him that I loved him twice, and he still never got the picture. He doesn't know."

Sierra said with a hopeful smile, "Or maybe he does know, but he didn't want to believe it. Only like you're waiting for the right moment, give him some time too. Just in case he does know, he might come around to telling you as well. Besides, if you do tell him, it's up to him whether or not that he'll be with you that way. But I'm getting a feeling, judging the way he clings to you, he cares for you too."

I asked her with a frown, "Do you really think so? I mean, what if he finds a human mate as his own?"

Sierra shrugged her shoulders and her smile went away, "I don't really know for sure, but my feeling could be right. And as for him finding a mate of his own, I don't know what he would do. There are human girls out there for him, but I don't know what he'd do." Then she reached out her paw to place it on my shoulder, "Look, don't let the whole thing get to you so much. At least, cherish that you and him are together as of right now. Even when you feel that way about him. And remember don't tell him how you feel right away, just find the right moment to tell him. And after you do tell him and if he rejects you, don't force it, or else you'll lose him."

I shuddered a bit at the thought, "But what if he becomes scared after I do tell him? Just like Wayne? What if he won't speak to me again? That's what I'm REALLY worried about."

Sierra shook her head, "I don't think he'd be afraid of you forever. He might feel awkward about it, but he won't be afraid of it forever. Even after you tell him, he'll always think of you as his best friend. And remember, don't force it on him. Only he can decide that he would be with you that way or not."

Sierra nodded and got her paw off my shoulder, "Just remember what I told you, wait for the right moment and when you know that the moment has come, then tell him and don't feel ashamed of it. Tell him the truth when you feel ready, that's all that really matters. The truth matters. We're dragons and we have feelings too just like humans, he has seen it with all of us, so he might understand about that. And if he rejects you, at least you'll still have him as your friend."

As I stared at her after all that, I began to think that she's right. I'll always still be with him, even after I tell him the truth. I won't lose him forever.

Now that I think about it, the way he clings to me, maybe he does love me that way and maybe he does get about how I REALLY feel about him. And he's probably ignoring it. After all, Wayne did ignore his feelings towards Sierra nine years ago.

I know that I love him so much, but if he rejects me, I won't force my feelings onto him. I care about what he feels as well. All that matters, is that I tell him the truth.

All that matters is me being with him, whether as his mate or his friend, I'll be with him. No matter what happens. It'll be sad that I won't be with him as a mate when it came to it, but I'll respect his decision and take it to my beating heart.

A part of me is actually wishing that he'll be with me as my mate, but when that moment comes, I'll find out if he does.

I took a deep breath and let it out, "Well...Ok." I nodded and gave her a smile, "I'll wait for that moment, and when that time comes, I'll tell him. I won't rush it. And I'll just cherish every moment I've spent with him, before and after that moment comes." I nodded again to myself in front of her, "And I won't force it on him, only he decides if he wants me that way or not. As his mate or his friend, we'll still be together."

Sierra smiled at me, "That's right, and he'll still be with you after you tell him. Don't rush to that moment, only wait for it. And don't let the whole thing get to you, just be patient for it, and don't feel conflicted about it anymore. Because falling in love with someone is a natural thing. And I think you see him as a dragon, I'd bet."

I let out a sigh of relief as my answer to my problem finally came and said, "I do see him as a human most of the time, but I also see him as a dragon." I still smiled at her and nodded again, "And thank you, Sierra. I knew I did the right thing coming to you."

Sierra replied, "You needed my help and I'm glad you came to me for it. You looked pretty desperate." She gave me a stern look, "Promise me that you'll tell him one day about how you feel. That you won't let your conflicted feelings get to you anymore. And one last thing, promise me that you won't rush it and tell him right away, alright? Take it slow, ok?"

I placed a paw to my scaly chest and promised her, "I promise."

Sierra smirked at me again, "Good, because I think that the love you have for him, is special. Just like my love for Wayne." She shrugged her wings and shoulders, "And he probably does love you that way too, and he doesn't know it. You'll see if he does and maybe he'd be the one to tell you. After all, fate had plans for the both me and Wayne, now I believe fate has plans for you and Tommy."

I got off my haunches and said to her in gratitude again, "Thank you."

Sierra nodded, "You're welcome." She reared back her head again and let out a yawn again after that.

I giggled, "Better get some more sleep, you stubborn old lady."

Sierra narrowed her eyes after the yawn, "Oh no, you're not going to call me old, just like Wayne does." Then she added with a grin, "Because you're old too, just like me. So that makes you an old lady also."

I laughed at her joke, "We're both a couple of beautiful old ladies."

She winked at me, "Damn right." We both shared a laugh together. Then Sierra asked, "So speaking of humans, what are you and Tommy going to do today?"

I glanced at the morning sun, thinking about our plans for today, "Probably take him home first, then he'll go to work at the human town. Same old stuff that we'll be doing when we're outside his house after that."

Sierra shook her head with a grin, "Nothing wrong with that." She widened her smile, showing me her teeth. Both of us heard laughter and it sounded like it was coming from behind me. I turned my whole body around and saw that it's Wayne and Tommy coming towards us, sharing a laugh together.

I let out a calm sigh as I saw Tommy and put on a smile for the human males.

Tommy jogged up to me and reached out to touch my chest, his hand near the green fuzzy scarf that I'm wearing. He asked with a smile, "Hey big girl. You almost ready to go? Because I think I'm ready."

I lowered my head to his level  and he backed away from me. I asked with a tease, "What you ready to go to work at your human town?"

Tommy shook his head, "Nope. I actually want to spend the whole day with you." He rolled his eyes and let out a tired huff, "I don't like working all that much."

I giggled at him, "Oh don't worry, I'll be at your house when you get back home."

Tommy just grinned at me, as Wayne walked past me and him, "Glad you're being faithful to your word."

I nuzzled his cheek with my own, "I always am faithful, my friend." I pulled back and looked into his eyes. Those handsome, innocent eyes.

I just gazed lovingly at them. Oh Tommy...

Tommy's voice made me snap out of my thoughts, "Rain?" I shook my head and he was frowning at me, "You okay?"

I nodded at him, "Oh yes, I'm fine."

Wayne came up to Sierra and reached out to touch her body, "Hey Sierra, ready to go to work with me today?"

Sierra smiled down at him and nodded, "Yes, I always love to see all the hatchlings that we're teaching today."

I looked back at Sierra, while my face is still at Tommy's level and asked with a smirk, "Don't the hatchlings look cute?"

Sierra closed her eyes and gave me a big smile, "Very cute."

Wayne looked at both me and Tommy, "Glad you guys came to visit the city and hung around. It was fun."

I nodded down at him, "Glad we came too and saw you sing last night."

Tommy gestured his hand to Wayne, "Yeah, I liked 'Who's Crying Now'."

Wayne beamed at him, "Thanks dude, and maybe you should sing at the Braveheart on your next visit here."

Tommy hummed and rolled his eyes to his right as he thought about it, "Well since I know that singing on that stage is a bit different, without instruments and only your mind. I'm still thinking about it."

I looked back at his head and said, "I think you can do it. I think you'll be great." Tommy looked at me and gave me a happy gleam in his eyes.

Sierra had a look of concern on her face as she looked down at Tommy, "By the way, about...What happened yesterday. About your mother. How are you doing? Are you still sad about-"

Tommy just shook his head, "I'm fine now. I...I know that I miss mother, but I'm fine now." He turned his head to look at my face with a big grin, "Thanks to her. I feel fine, than I ever was."

I nuzzled his forehead with my nose, saying this, "Oh you don't have to thank me. I'm just a friend looking out for you." Which I know that we are friends now, but one day, we might more than that.

Tommy reached under my chin and scratched it while I was nuzzling him. He giggled when I gave his forehead a lick with my tongue, "Thanks Rain."

I raised my head above his level and replied back, "You're welcome." Then I lowered my body to the ground and asked, "Alright, let me take you home."

Tommy nodded and muttered, "Right." He started to walk up to my back and he managed to mount himself on top of me. Now sitting on my back. I slowly raised my body off the ground and he started giggling to himself, "I'll tell ya this, riding on your back doesn't get old to me."

Wayne thumbed at Sierra beside him and joked, "Yeah, like Sierra here." Sierra looked down and hissed at him, while he laughed his head off.

I laughed too and Tommy was also. I remarked, as I was turning my whole body around to face Sierra and Wayne, "Well you like being with this old lady, Wayne. You always did."

Wayne nodded up at me, "Yep, I do." Then he pointed at me and joked this now, "But hey, you're old too, so I guess Tommy doesn't care about that."

Tommy was chuckling at that and he said when he shook his head, "Oh, I don't care if Rain's old. She looks young to me."

I looked over my shoulder at him and replied to his comment, "Good, cause if you called me old, I'll kill you."

Tommy was giving me his devious grin and he patted the back of my neck, "I love you, old lady." He winked at me and Sierra and Wayne were laughing in front of me at that.

I know that he was joking just like Wayne here, but I said it anyways, while I rolled up my eyes, "That does it, I'm going to drop you while we're in the sky."

Tommy was laughing at that now and he shot back, "You wouldn't do that to me."

I gave him a mischievous grin, "MAYBE, MAYBE not." I giggled afterward and then I shook my head, "I'm kidding, I wouldn't do that to someone who cares about me." Then I added with a joke, "Even when he calls me old."

Tommy nodded with that grin still, "I know." He leaned forward on me and reached out with his hand far enough to touch my face, "I love you."

I said back to him, "I love you, too." He pulled himself back to sit back down on my back. Of course, what it sounded like when I said it, it sounded like it was in an intimate way. But he didn't appear notice how it sounded. He must have thought that I said it back to him as his friend.

Oh Tommy, you have no idea.

Or...Maybe Sierra's right. He does have an idea, and he's ignoring it.

I hope he does know and somehow, he feels the same way as I do. But no matter what happens, whether we're mates or just friends, I'll always be with him.

I'll take it slow and tell him when that moment comes. And if he doesn't want me that way, I won't force it. And if does want me that way, that'll be great.

I won't feel conflicted about it.

One day, I will tell him.

Wayne gave us a wave and hollered, "Bye guys!"

Sierra nodded at us, "You have a safe flight."

I looked at them and nodded, "Take care, you two." I looked back over my shoulder once more and asked Tommy, "Ready?"

He said it with true excitement and determination in his voice, "Do it."

I looked at the outskirts of the city and started to flap my wings, Tommy wrapped his arms around my neck, as we're getting ready to take flight to the skies.

I was now hovering over Wayne and Sierra high over them and looking straight ahead and flew fast forward with a burst of speed with my wings flapping. Tommy screamed happily as we flew away from the city now, "WOOHOOO!!!"

I let out a roar of happiness in turn to his happy scream, my roar echoing over the lands we're heading towards to now.

My thoughts went back to Tommy, and I looked back at him over my shoulder during flight, as he sat down on my back. His hair and clothes being blown by the rush of the wind.

I smiled at him, as my answer from Sierra was still in my mind.

I'll take it slow and I won't be afraid of it anymore.

Telling the person how you feel is all that really matters.

Whether he wants me that way or not, it's up to him. It's his choice. And I'll respect his choice.

I looked lovingly at him, and he looked back with his handsome smile.

I love you, Tommy.

I love you.

I looked back ahead of me now and let out another roar as we flew over the mountain away from the city, seeing the green filled woods down below away from the mountains. My roar this time, was for him. My love for the human on my back.

I flapped my wings some more against the wind, flying on our way back to his house.

*****

I'm sitting in front of a human grocery store, as they'd call it, waiting for Tommy to come out of it. I let out a snort of impatience. I wish that I wasn't so big and tall, that I'd join him in there.

I don't even know what the inside of the place looks like!

I curled my tail around me, as I heard a human car horn nearby. I let out a sigh.

It has been about three days since our trip to the dragon city and we came back to his home. And I've been staying with him as usual, until our next planned trip to where my kinds lives comes forth.

Things have basically been as normal as usual. Course, I do still have my intimate feelings toward the little human, but I don't feel too conflicted and scared about it anymore. Well...I had a few times, but it's not as much as before. Sierra's answer really helped me out.

I've been taking Sierra's advice and I've been waiting for the right moment to come forth for the past few days.

To be truthful with you, I thought I did find that moment a few times, but it turned out each time it wasn't.

Like one time when me and him were having a stroll in the park here, but that wasn't the good place. There were several humans nearby. Another time, was I thought was a good time to do it and it happened yesterday afternoon. But Tommy had to go to this late shift at work and he didn't come back until late last night, he was dead tired, I can tell from laying inside the barn. So he wasn't in the mood for a conversation.

So now, here I am sitting on the sidewalk in front of the grocery store, waiting for Tommy come back. He said he was getting a few things. I looked right at the entrance of that place and saw humans entering and exiting that place. No Tommy, yet.

I let out a sigh. I swear, if he doesn't come out of there in the next few minutes, I'm going to crash myself through that wall and search for him.

I was thinking about him some more, when I uncurled my tail off of me. Then the tip of my tail accidentally tripped a passing human near me. He cried out as my tail had him went sailing over my tail, falling face first to the ground.

I gasped and turned to look down at the human with concern, "Oh! I'm so sorry! Are you ok?" I lowered my head to the human and saw that it's a male, but with the so called...Tattoos on his arms. He even looks...Punkish as Wayne would call it.

The human got up on his hands and knees and shot a glare up at me, "Stupid lizard." He groaned as he got up on his feet, while my tail is now behind me.

I had an apologetic look now and said, "I'm so sorry about that."

The human growled a bit, and asked in a sarcastic way, "Oh, you're sorry? Maybe you need to keep your tail to yourself."

My eyes went wide at his attitude and I narrowed at him, "Hey, I just said I was sorry, human." I got up on all fours after that.

The human male pointed a threatening finger at me, "I don't like your kind infesting my town and ruining everything. I hate your kind, because you think you own this place."

I hissed at him, "Excuse me? We don't own anything."

He crossed his arms, glaring at me still, "All of you fucking lizards, come here all big and tall like you really own everything. Like you own us. You even pick on little humans and call them your bitches."

My frills and wings flared as I shouted at him, baring my teeth, "WHAT?!" That son of a bitch!

"You giant lizards are so overzealous and you don't care about us. All you do is pick on us, like we're nothing." He thumbed to himself, "And I'm the only one who sees it."

I was glaring at him now, "First off, we're dragons, not lizards. Second, we don't pick on any of you and we do care, dragons are you friends."

He pointed his finger, which his gaze is now accusing now, "That's bullshit!"

I lowered my head to his level, "Listen here, you little shit. If you ever call me a lizard again, I'm going to snatch you off the ground and show you how dragons take flight."

He sneered at me, "Yeah, by taking me to your lair and planning to eat me later."

Are you kidding me?! "We don't eat humans!"

He shouted again, "Bullshit!"

I was growling at him, showing him my teeth. He's really pissing me off.

I've been in the human town more than once with Tommy. But this is the first time ever, this has happened to me.

Who does this asshole think he is, treating my kind like that?

I'm not going to take kindly at that.

The punk little human taunted me with his grin, "What are you going to do? Burn me alive? Do that, then that means the world leaders will fuck you and your kind over for that."

I slowly raised my head above his level and said in so much anger, "You know? It's humans like you who gave us dragons a bad name back then, because they're just blind to see us for who we are, but there are a lot who don't anymore." I pointed at several humans in the parking lot with my paw, "I can bet those humans love my kind and care about us, because we care about them. And since you're TOO blind to see who we are, then you are just ONE STUPID HUMAN, WITH A LITTLE BRAIN! Dragons have feelings like you and if you're going to say that we don't, THEN YOU CAN GO GET MOUNTED!"

The human looked flabbergasted, "Me? Get mounted?" He pointed at me and sneered, "How about YOU get mounted, you big scaly black bitch!"

Honestly, I kinda had the urge to burn that poor excuse of a human alive and I even felt my flame building up in me, getting ready to be let out. But I held myself back. No sense in giving that sick, devious little human the satisfaction.

We both continued to glare at each other, until Tommy came with his groceries, "Hey!" I turned to him and my anger went away in an instant. Tommy...

The punk human looked at Tommy and Tommy angrily asked, "What's going on here?"

The punk male human shot his hand at me without even looking at me at all, "That giant lizard started a fight with me."

My eyes flashed in anger, and I snarled at the little bastard for saying such a thing, "What?!"

The human nodded at Tommy, ignoring me pretty much, "Yeah, that lizard started it."

The punk male human, tried to look innocent, but Tommy apparently wasn't buying it and he said with a glare, "I know that's bullshit."

The male human's face went wide and he backed away one step away from Tommy, "What?"

Tommy while his one hand carried the sack with the groceries, his other hand started clenching a fist. Tommy eyes were narrowing at the fool, "I know you're lying, so don't play innocent. Rain here, would never start a fight. I know her all too well." Tommy put the groceries down on the sidewalk and took a couple steps toward him.

The human pointed accusingly at me, "No, it did start it. IT DID!!"

Tommy shook his head, while trying to keep his anger under control, "That dragon's not an it, it's a SHE. She's a human like us."

The human started shaking his head and gestured his hand toward him in total disbelief, "What the fuck are you talking about? That thing's not a human. It's a freakin, abnormal lizard!"

Tommy raised a finger at the guy's face, "No, she is a human. She's one of us."

My face lit up after hearing that and the human argued, "Are you kidding me?! It started the fight and it-"

Tommy shoved the human with one hand, making that guy stumble back a bit, "Rain would never start any fight. She's very kind, sweet, and sincere. And she's an angel too and she's mine."

The punk male human shouted real loud. Loud enough for any human and dragon to hear, "They're not any of those things! Those lizards are monsters!"

I glared at the human for calling me that and Tommy appeared to be fuming, "You call dragons, including Rain, a monster. How dare you. Maybe the monster that I see, IS YOU. Picking on someone like her, because she's different and for not seeing her for who she is. Not to mention calling every last dragon a lizard." He pointed at the human, "You're the monster, not her."

The human smacked Tommy's hand away and tried to argue, "Now listen here, you shithead. I think that-"

Tommy shoved that asshole with both hands real hard, making him stumble back a bit more and Tommy snarled while raising a finger to his chin "No, you listen to me! If I ever find out that you're picking on Rain again." He flicked his hand in front of the guy's face, "I will bust your ass! Do you understand?!"

And that finally shut that human up, he only stared at him, with a bit of a look of defeat. Until finally, the punk male human said this to Tommy in a sneering tone, "Fuck you and that freakin, black lizard." And with that, the human turned and walked off, leaving me and Tommy alone to glare at him as he leave. Until the human finally disappeared from sight.

Tommy let out a sigh and looked up at me with a face full of concern, "You ok?"

I smiled brightly down at him, "I'm fine." I lowered my head to his level, "I would've handled it without you."

Tommy shrugged with one hand, "And stand around and watch him calling you a monster and a lizard, not to mention accusing of starting something that you didn't?" He shook his head, "I'm not standing by for that."

I leaned my head to nuzzle his chest, "Thank you." I giggled while I was doing that, "You know, you really have the balls of a drake."

Tommy laughed as he caressed my neck with his hand, while I was nuzzling him, "I'll take that as a big compliment."

I moved my head up to his face, until our faces were facing each other, "And you should take that compliment with pride." He giggled and so did I. He reached up to touch my sensitive nose and he gave it a rub a couple of times. He was smiling at me now.

And while I was looking at him, I saw something in his eyes, that I never seen before. Or I thought I did. That look in his eyes, looked a bit different.

Were they....Showing the type of feeling that I'm thinking of? That certain kind of feeling? Or was it just because he just cares for me?

I didn't wonder for too long, as Tommy turned and went to pick up the groceries from the sidewalk, he let out a breath, as he stared at his groceries with a smile and his eyes full of admiration, "Still in perfect condition."

I giggled and asked him, as he came back to me with the sack in his hand, "So what'd you get? Something good for you, or I'd bet it's something good for me?"

Tommy giggled and nodded, "Something like that." He looked down into the sack and said, "I've bought hamburger meat, some ham, and slices of cheese. Also mustard."

I held up my head for a second and hummed as some of the food sounded good, "Hmmm, sounds good for a human, but as for the meat, sounds good to me."

Tommy narrowed his eyes at me, "The meat's not for you, you hungry thing!"

I laughed and looked down at him, "Well now who's hungry? You say it's not mine, so it sounds like you're going to eat all of it."

Tommy playfully rolled his eyes, "Whatever, you might get fat eating all of it anyways."

Now I was the one narrowing my eyes at him, "What? I wouldn't be the one who's fat, it'll be YOU."

Tommy laughed his head off and after a second went by, I did too. Tommy patted my leg and said, "Come on, lets get back to my house, before another asshole human starts picking on you again."

I let out an irritated hiss, "Well if another one tries calling me a monster and a lizard, I'm going to toss that certain human onto a car nearby."

Tommy shrugged his shoulders with a big smirk, "That'll be the day." I tossed back my head and laughed, my wings were shaking because of my laughter. Then Tommy raised a finger and added with a serious look, "Remember, you're carrying me in your paws this time. I don't want to lose the groceries.

I nodded and waved a paw at him, "Don't worry. I know the routine. Not the first time we're doing this." Tommy grinned at me and nodded too. Now as that part was over, Tommy started leading the way and I started following him from behind.

I started to form a smile as I was watching him from behind. We're walking toward the parking lot now. He really stood up for me. He never did that before.

He would comfort me because of my traumatic past, but he never did anything like that before. He...Really changed.

I think because he overcame all of his shyness and now he'd defend for me. That he'd defend for someone like me.

He...Really became brave.

Brave, just like a drake.

The drake that I've dreamed of a few nights ago. That handsome drake.

And I'm following that handsome drake right now.

Tommy....

I was right before.

You'd make a very handsome drake. You really would.

*****

Me and Tommy were both out in the middle of the meadow, about a bit far from his house. Nighttime has come to this land and the crickets were chirping away.

I was laying on my stomach looking up at the stars and they were just shining away, while Tommy was just sitting right in front of me, with his back pressed against chest. One of my paws laid on his lap. He was staring up at the stars as well. Enjoying this night too.

The two of us were just sitting out here for maybe a few hours, just watching in silence.

I guess the silence really does bring wonders to both of us. Because after what happened at the human town today, we both felt like we needed a break.

I looked down at Tommy, he hasn't noticed that I was looking at him. He was still star gazing. I smiled at him, with my love for him shone in my eyes.

I still can't believe that you really defended for me, Tommy.

You've defended me like a drake. A drake who would protect his mate.

But we're not mates. Tommy was only defending me as his friend.

But ancestors, he really defended me like I was really a human to him. He...Doesn't treat me like a dragon, he treats me like a human.

Just like I treat him like a drake.

Tommy....

Tommy finally had a feeling that he was being watched and he turned his body around to look up at me. He smirked and giggled when he noticed me looking at him, "What are you staring at? I thought you were staring at the stars."

I giggled and shook my head, "Sorry about that." I began to look up at the sky again, and went on, "I was just thinking about what happened back at town. You know, how you defended me like that."

His eyes were going wide as I was telling him what happened before, "How you just stood up to that guy, because of me. How you went at him, for attacking verbally me. Calling me a monster and everything." I looked down at him after that, with a look of gratitude, "You never did that to me before. That was the VERY first time it happened." I shook my head, "I couldn't believe my eyes, but it did. You really stood up for me, Tommy. You...Certainly have changed."

Tommy brought back his smile on his little mouth, "Well I'm sure it's because of you that I've changed. You were the one who taught me how to be braver and I have." He turned his eyes away from me, "I don't think I could ever stand up to that guy if I was shy. I'd be scared of doing that. But...With you, it's different."

I cocked my head and he looked up at me, "I just didn't think it was fair to you. To be treated like that." He nodded a bit, "I think that if someone was doing that to Sierra, then Wayne would defend her. Just like I'd do that for you. I would have done anything to help you."

I started to smirk and I lowered my head to his. I nuzzled the top of his head with my nose, "I'm still proud that you did. You...Really defended me like I was a human."

Tommy reached up to stroke my cheek, "That's because you are."

My face lit up more brightly, just like before. I said this to him, "Thank you."

Tommy replied as he was stroking my cheek, "Hey, it's like with your nightmares. I'd comfort and protect you from them. Just like I would defend you from anyone who has a problem with you."

I asked, with my voice and eyes full of curiosity, "Even from another dragon?"

Tommy nodded up at me, and he let his hand fall from my cheek, "Yep, even from another dragon."

My face was full of awe now, as I was slowly raising my head above him, "Ancestors, sounds like someone really grew some balls. Now you're saying that you'd defend me from another dragon."

Tommy was chuckling now, "A BIG one, just like you."

I laughed and placed my paw onto his arm and started shaking him. Playfully saying this to him, "Alright, who are you and where's the REAL Tommy? I never seen him like this before."

Tommy laughed at that and he reached with his other arm to tap my paw a few times, "I'm still ME, big girl."

I gave him a playful narrowed look, "That's good, because if you weren't Tommy. I'd carried you all the way to the sky and drop you to your death." My eyes went wide and then I titled my head a bit, while thinking the whole thing through, "Or perhaps, just interrogate you in flight and get my answer." Then I shot up my head, "THEN, drop you to your death."

Tommy was laughing and he rolled his eyes, "Yikes, I didn't know you can be that devious. Killing that person, after he gives you his answer."

I shrugged my shoulders, "I don't want any scum like that to live." Then I tossed my head to my right, "Ha! I might even do that to the punk ass male human who treated me unfairly today. That'll REALLY show him, what dragons can REALLY do in flight."

Tommy was frowning now, "But then, that would give him the answer that you really were a monster after all."

I shook my head, "No it wouldn't. Because I'd be the one killing the monster."

Tommy nodded twice at that, "Point taken. That guy was acting like a monster. A VERY RUDE MONSTER."

I nodded with an angry look as the human's face and voice came back to me, "I agree with you on that. He just didn't let up." I let out an hiss, "I wish that I've kicked his little ass. Then not get into trouble for it."

He patted my chest with his left hand, "Hey, just be glad that I was defending for you." Then he shrugged his shoulders, "And besides, you'd do the same thing for me."

I was just grinning down at him, "You're right. I would." Then I was frowned at him and cocked my head again, "But still, would you really stand up to a dragon to defend me? I mean, what if you got hurt?"

Tommy answered with his voice of determination, "I don't care. If it concerns your safety, I wouldn't care." He shrugged with one arm, going on with it, "Whether, I'd live or die from the situation, I'd defend you no matter what. Just like you would."

I rolled my eyes to my right, thinking for an answer to that, "Well I certainly wouldn't want to die, but yes, I'd do it no matter what."

Tommy said, "I don't want to die either, but it's a chance people like you and me are always worth taking." He let out a sigh and looked up at the sky again, "Just like mother would for me."

I gazed suspiciously at him, "Now you sure you don't want to die? Because you did say that you wanted to die before and-"

Tommy whirled his body a bit to face me and said with a narrowed look, "Rain, you know me better than that. I'm fine now."

I stared at him and nodded a few times after that, "Sorry, I'm just still a bit worried about you."

Tommy let out a breath and reached out to my chest and rubbed it twice, giving him a look of sincerity, "I know that. But I'm fine now. Really I am. I'm not even thinking about killing myself anymore and I already promised you, I wouldn't."

I nodded and smiled at him, "You're right and I'm sorry. I won't worry about it anymore." Then I gave him a bit of a worried look, "But remember, I was worried, because I don't want to lose you."

Tommy leaned his head to my chest and planted a kiss on it. Giving my chest one more rub after that, "I know and I really appreciate it." He let out a sigh and turned his body looked up at the stars again and so did I. Both of us are now in silence.

We were like this for a few minutes and Tommy cut the silence away with his voice, "You know Rain?" I looked down at him, as he started talking, "I don't think I've never told you this but, my mom and I would always watch the stars on a night like this one."

I was smiling down at him, "Really?"

Tommy giggled, "Yeah. Mom said when she was a hatchling, she would star gaze with my grandparents. My grandpa was pretty much an astronomer."

I was giggling at bit at the human word, "Astronomer? That sounds like a mouthful."

Tommy was laughing and he said while still looking up at the stars, "An astronomer is a human who studies stars, planets, moons and galaxies. And in my opinion, I think that's pretty cool."

I asked with this, "I know what stars are, but what are galaxies? I never even heard of that word."

Tommy answered, "Well, galaxies are just...Other places other than the planet that we're on. We're on planet Earth and it's in the Milky Way Galaxy. There are other galaxies, other than the Milky Way, and they're very far away from here." He turned his head over his shoulder, while I was giving him a confused look. He laughed and gestured his hand back at me, "I guess dragons don't know astronomy, all that much."

"Apparently we don't."

Tommy giggled and replied, "Well if you knew what all that astronomy stuff is like me, then you'd understand it."

I nodded slowly, "I guess, I would."

Tommy was grinning at me, "Just now, as I've pictured it, since you're a black scaled angel, I'd imagine that you'd fly up to the heavens and then fly to another galaxy. And...That would be the most beautiful thing anyone has ever seen."

I beamed at him, "Really? You pictured me doing that?"

Tommy nodded, "Sure."

I looked at the stars once more, as they twinkled a bit, "Well a few times in my long life, I actually wondered what would be up there, so high out of my reach. In fact, I wonder if I would see my ancestors up there, even my mom and dad."

Tommy looked at the stars again as well, "Yeah, including my mother too." He let out a small calm breath, "You know, I think maybe I should teach you some astronomy sometime. You might find that stuff interesting."

I was smirking down at him now, "I wouldn't mind it. I'm very curious about what galaxies really are."

Tommy nodded at that and he looked back at me, "Yeah, maybe I will teach you sometime."

As he was looking at my face and I was looking at his, he suddenly has this odd look on his face and he turned his head away from me. He looked...Sad.

I held a concerned look after that and asked him, "What's wrong?"

Tommy shook his head and turned his body to stare straight ahead at the meadow. His voice sounded glum, "Nothing."

I could tell by the sound of his voice that it wasn't nothing. So I lowered my head to the back of his neck and gave it a nudge with my nose, "Tommy, is it about your mother? Please, I want to help you, now what's wrong?"

He shook his head and let out a long breath, "No Rain, this really isn't about my mother. It's something else."

I slowly cocked my head at him. It's not his mother? What could it be about? "What? Tell me."

Tommy said this with a sad tone, "I was thinking about someone. Someone, other than my mother."

"Who?" Who could it be? His father in prison? Or someone else?

Tommy answered bluntly, without looking back at me, "Rain....I'm in love with someone."

When I heard him say that, I was completely shocked. Shocked that he's in love with someone and he's thinking about her. Someone else, other than me. A human, just like him. I can actually picture a beautiful female human with good curves and a body with those things on her chest called breasts. And he likes her. I actually wanted to let out a gasp and tell him that I love him right now. But I held myself back and asked, by putting on a pretend grin for him, "Really? You're in love with someone? Who is she? I don't think I've met her."

Rain, you need to tell him! Tell him the truth NOW!

But I still held myself back, after my nagging thoughts kept yelling at me. Tommy said this, "Well...What can you do about it? I mean, it really is my problem."

I moved my head to lay on his shoulder, saying this, "Tommy, maybe I can help. Please...Tell me about her."

Tommy turned his head to look at me and he turned his head again. He sighed with a smile now, "Well...That girl. She really is beautiful. I actually met her one day at town. Bumping into her. We didn't talk to each other at first, but we did after that."

I raised my head off his shoulder and rose it real high over him, letting him tell his story, "We did afterward and she's really nice and caring. Not to mention, pretty beautiful."

I hummed in thought, "Hmmm, I didn't know that you've met a female human and you never told me about it. What's her name and when did it happen? That's what I'm curious about now."

But Tommy just ignored me and went on with his tale. Not looking at me still, but just looking at the meadow, "She really knew what I was going through, she was shy as well. She...Even has been through a lot throughout her whole life. Her parents died and she was also raped."

My eyes were looking down suspiciously at him. Wait. Why does that sound familiar? Now I was cocking my head down at him and he didn't see it. Is he talking about....?

Tommy moved my paw off his lap and got up on his feet. He stretched his legs a bit and walked two steps away from me. I was just laying there, watching him see what he'll do next.

Tommy said this while he had his back turned on me, "I really liked being with her. She knew what I went through, knew how to talk to me, never gave up on me, always wanting to help me. And in fact, more than once, I've been thinking lately that way about her. That I was starting to love her, like she's my mate and not as my friend, you know?"

He turned around to face me now and he was smiling still, while he glanced down at the grass, "More than once, I've been wanting to sing her this song. This particular song that I actually sang to my mom, before she was sick. It's called 'Fields of Gold' by Sting, and mother loved it."

He giggled softly to himself, "A few times, I've been wanting to sing that to her. To see if she'd like it. Just to show her that I like her and I wouldn't be afraid to tell her. Because I feel afraid that she wouldn't feel that way about me. That it might become awkward between us. I mean, I've never felt this way toward anybody before, this is the first time. And I'm sure she never was with anyone before in her life too. And right now...I feel nervous telling her about it, just thinking about it, because I don't want to lose her."

There's something about this girl that he's describing. The way he describes her, she sounds...Like me.

Tommy said this to himself in a small whisper, "She's...Like an angel to me. A beautiful angel. One that was there for me, when I needed her the most."

My heart pounded and my pulse quickened at his words. It is me! He's talking about me!

So he does love me! He does love me after all!

And he...Doesn't want to tell me.

I decided to ask him this very important question as he stood where he at, "And this girl...Is she ME?"

Tommy looked at my face after I asked him that question. He had a blank expression, never showing any emotion. I concentrated my gaze at his eyes, but they don't show anything.

Am I right, Tommy? Am I right?

But Tommy started to smile again and he asked, "Can I sing you that song? See what you'd think of it and you can give me your opinion on it. Telling me if she would like it or not."

I just stared at him, my face wasn't showing him any emotion either. I wanted to tell him right away about my feelings, to see what he would do. But I rolled with it and I smiled and nodded at his request, "Sure. I like your singing, so I'm curious to hear it." I motioned my head toward him, "Go ahead, Tommy."

Tommy nodded and he cleared his throat. I was just waiting for him, while my wings were curled on my back. Tommy closed his eyes, as the crickets were still chirping around us. He started sounding the human music with his mouth.

Then Tommy slowly opened his eyes and started to sing to me, in a soft, warm, calm voice, "You'll remember me, when the west wind moves. Upon the fields of barley. You'll forget the sun in his jealous sky. As we walk in fields of gold."

I smiled as he started to hum the music real loudly. He went on with the human song, "So she took her love, for to gaze awhile. Upon the fields of barley. In his arms she fell, as her hair came down. Among the fields of gold."

He started to raise both his arms, like he's getting ready to embrace someone, "Will you stay with me, will you be my love? Among the fields of barley." He motioned one hand to the night sky and dropped it back down, "We'll forget the sun in his jealous sky. As we lie in fields of gold."

He sounded the music with his mouth and sang softly some more, "See the west wind move, like a lover so. Upon the fields of barley. Feel her body rise, when you kiss her mouth. Among the fields of gold."

He let out a sigh, and shook his head, "I never made promises lightly. And there have been some that I've broken." He put on a determined look now, "But I swear in the days still left, we'll walk in fields of gold." He softly closed his eyes, "We'll walk in fields of gold."

He started shaking his hand up and down in rhythm and was humming the music real loud. Until he opened his eyes and went on, "Many years have passed, since those summer days. Among the fields of barley. See the children run, as the sun goes down. Among the fields of gold."

He slowly placed his hand to his chest, not taking his gaze off of me, "You'll remember me, when the west wind moves. Upon the fields of barley. You can tell the sun in his jealous sky. When we walked in fields of gold."

He slowly placed his hand to his side, "When we walked in fields of gold." He closed his eyes again and sang it for the last time, "When we walked in fields of gold." He sounded the song's music with his mouth for a bit after that and then he stopped and opened his eyes again.

That's when I knew, it was over now. And we both just stared at each other, not making a sound or muttering a word. All that we both heard right now, is the crickets.

Tommy broke the silence and finally asked with a bright smile, "What did you think? Do you think she'd like it?"

I slowly formed a smile on my face and answered him, "She would. It...Sounded beautiful and calm." I love it, Tommy. That girl that you love so much, loves it.

Tommy appeared to look apprehensive and nervous and he wanted to tell me something. I didn't show him anything hopeful on my face, but I did feel it. Come on, Tommy. You can tell me. I won't leave you. But after a moment, he said, "Come on, lets go back home. It's getting late now."

The feeling of disappointment came when he said that, but I was doing a good job at not showing it. I nodded and got my stomach off the grass and onto all fours. I stretched my legs and my tail after that and said, "Alright, lets go."

Tommy nodded and he started to walk off to the direction of his home, and I was following him. Now my face was showing some disappointment as I was right behind him now.

Tommy...

You don't have to be afraid anymore.

I love you too, just like you love me.

I need to find a way to convince him that.

I wanted to say I love you right at him at this moment, but I don't think this is the right moment right now. He looks pretty nervous. Well quite frankly, so am I, but I need to hold onto that thought for a little bit. Wait for that moment to come.

I better take it slow, as of right now. I need to just take it slow.

*****

Me and Tommy strolled out of the woods, back to his house. Tommy stretched up with his arms and yawned, "God, I feel a bit tired."

I giggled behind him, "What, did all that walking wore you out?"

Tommy laughed a bit and turned around to face me, as we were both near his front porch, "Probably. We did journey out to that meadow and it's far."

I smiled at him, "Well perhaps, I should have gave you a flight back home, that way you wouldn't have to walk."

He waved me off, "Nah, I'm alright. Besides I enjoy having a stroll with you, just as much as I enjoy riding you." He winked at me and giggled and so did I.

Then after we both giggled, we were now staring at each other. And I can see in his eyes that he wants to say something and it looks important. And he's also nervous.

VERY nervous.

I can see it, real well.

I don't blame him one bit, I feel it too.

He thinks I don't know who he was talking about back there, but I do.

I know you love me, Tommy. And you sang that song for me, because you love me.

I know it.

I puffed out my chest, while taking a deep breath, then let it out slowly. I nodded slowly, "Well...I guess it's goodnight." While I was looking at him, my thoughts went at me again. Rain, now's your chance!

Tell him!

Tell him, you big black bitch! Tell him already!

But I didn't say anything and Tommy replied with a grin he's showing now. His nervous look went away, "Yeah, it was a nice night as usual and I've enjoyed it." Then he rubbed the back of his neck and asked, "Hey Rain?"

I nodded and he asked, "Do you think that girl would like it? I mean...Do you think she'll love it?"

I was nodding real slowly now, answering his question, "She would, just like I do."

Tommy looked down at his feet, like he has something else he wants to say. Then I said to him in a comforting voice, "I can understand that you're nervous saying this to that girl." Tommy looked at me afterward and I said to him, shaking my head only once, "There's no shame in being nervous, there never was any shame."

Tommy stared at me as I went on, "But there's also no shame in telling her how you feel, that's all that matters. Your feelings matter and so does hers. But only one of you have to take the first step and declare that love." I started to stroll away from him slowly, taking one paw at a time. I was looking at him, as I was walking toward the barn nearby, "I know you can do it, and if she doesn't want you after you tell her, don't feel ashamed about it. What matters is that you gave it a try and you had the courage to say it."

I nodded as I stopped for a second, "Just like you overcame your shyness, but now it's time to overcome that apprehension. The apprehension of telling that female that you love her for the very first time. Only you can do that, I can't help you on that." I gave him a small smile, "I know you can do it, you just have to find that courage."

Tommy was only gazing right at me, his face was just blank. Never shown any expression. Only his eyes looked at me.

Rain! Tell Tommy you love him! Don't hold back from it, now's your chance!

I padded very slowly away from him, and turned my head to face the barn ahead. I said this to him, without looking at him, "Goodnight, Tommy."

I took very slow steps to the barn, and I was real close until I heard Tommy's voice behind me, "Wait."

I stopped in my tracks and looked over my shoulder at him. He appeared to be trying it again and I asked, as I began to turn my whole body around to face the human, my long tail now sticking through the entrance of the barn, "Yes?"

Tommy let out a big apprehensive breath, but he didn't say anything. All he was doing now after that, was taking slow strides toward me. His eyes locked onto me, not taking them off me. His fist appeared to be clenching, like he was trying to fight something. To fight something within him.

I'm getting a feeling, I know what he's fighting.

As he got close in front of me, without saying a word, he continued to stare at my face. I decided to lower my head real slow to his level, not taking my eyes off of him at all. My head's real close to his. I was gazing into his eyes now.

My pulse was speeding up and my heart was pounding as I'm getting a feeling I know where this is going. I was taking very slow deep breaths. Tommy...

I was going to say something, but Tommy placed both hands to my face, without any expression at all on his face still. He only said my name, "Rain..." He was trailing off.

I said his name right back, but in a questionable tone, "Tommy?"

He hadn't spoken a word to me, and he let out a breath, as he caressed my cheek with one hand. His thumb on his other hand started rubbing my other cheek.

Tommy then started to lean his head toward mine, real slowly and he started to close his eyes. As his mouth was close to my snout, he gave me a kiss and held it. My eyes went wide as it finally happened.

He's kissing me!

And I started to close my eyes too and titled my head a bit and adjusted my mouth to his, kissing him right back. Oh Tommy....

While we were sharing our first kiss, Tommy's fingers started trailing my face and he pulled his mouth off mine and kissed my jawline, then my nose. Then he pressed his mouth directly to my snout again and I didn't resist. I was starting to love it.

But before anything could progress, Tommy abruptly pulled away and whirled around on me, muttering one word in a whisper, "No." He appeared to have apprehension in his eyes now.

I had a bit of a disappointed and guilty look on me now and I hung my head, until my snout was close to the grass and muttered to him, "I'm sorry about this. I really am."

Tommy shook his head while his back's turned, "No, it's not you, it's me." I rose my head to look at the back of his head now and he went on, "I just didn't know what I was thinking or what I was doing. I mean...I thought I did, but I just don't know anymore."

Tommy turned back around to look at my face now, "I mean, look at what I've just done. I kissed you twice, and it just...Well...It just seems wrong and...And...." He was trailing off again, as he looked away shyly from me.

Somehow, after having that kiss from him, now I knew this moment was as perfect as it'll ever get. So I just stared at him and finally said the words I've been waiting to say, "I love you, Tommy."

Tommy's eyes went wide and his body tensed a bit after hearing those words and I insisted, "I do. I really do. I have, ever since Christmas." I only moved my eyes to glance to my right, "Of course, I can't really be certain, how long I've felt this way for sure. I don't know if I've felt this way after I first met you, or it was after you first comforted me from my horrible memory. I don't really know for sure, but it's the truth Tommy."

Tommy finally looked at me and I rose my head real high and stared down at him, with a sigh, "I'm sorry, Tommy. I know this is a shock to you, but it's the truth and you had to know it. I just...Felt like I couldn't keep you from the truth anymore, after what just happened. And...I know that you love me too."

Tommy didn't say a word, as I went on with the truth, "I knew back at the meadow that you were talking about me. The girl you thought about, the one you like, it was me. I figured it out." I nodded once, "You love me, Tommy."

Tommy looked down at the ground and I had a worried look on my face now, "Please, say something."

Tommy finally formed words, while staring at his feet, "I think I knew it all along and I didn't believe it."

My jaw dropped a bit and he went on, "I think I saw the signs coming from you, but I thought it was just me and I didn't believe it, or I just ignored it. Or maybe both. I thought it was your very caring way of looking at me. You have been there for me, not to mention being there for me after my mother's death. You held me, like I would held you."

He looked at me now, with his look finally registering that realization, "I honestly don't know how long I've felt that way about you, maybe months perhaps, but I began to realize it just a few nights ago. When my feelings finally came full forth."

I asked, "How?"

He gestured his hand to me, "That on the night, before we left the dragon city, while I was sleeping, I was dreaming about us." I cocked my head and he said it, "I was dreaming that I was telling you how I feel and you were just walking away from me. Looking pretty shocked about it."

I let out a small gasp. So that's what he was dreaming about that night. The way he was mumbling my name in his sleep, the way he was trying to cling to me. It's because I was leaving him, after he told me.

That's what the dream was about. That's why he was so apprehensive of telling me this, that he felt that way more than once.

He sighed and looked away, "I honestly, was afraid of losing you, because of what I feel. I thought you didn't love me that way. But truthfully, I now know why I like being with you so much. How we're so close. And maybe...I think I know why I didn't feel like I wanted to kill myself anymore." He looked and gave me a small grin, "I think my love for you saved my life, it wasn't just your words telling me not to do it, but it was my love for you and I realize that."

Tommy reached up behind his head and scratched it, his grin washed away, "And it was also how I was standing up for you at town today, that was another realization that came to me. I stood up for you, because I love you. And ever since then, I kinda wanted to tell you."

I cocked my head at him and Tommy let out a deep breath, "Instead of saying something to you, after so many times of wanting to say it to you, instead I just kissed you. Because I couldn't take it anymore. Because I was afraid you would go to Neal, because I've urged you to do it." He shook his head, "I know what I've just done was wrong, but I couldn't hold it back anymore and I didn't want to lose you to him."

My eyes went wide and I giggled, while shaking my head, "You wouldn't have to worry about losing me to him, because Neal's with someone else." Tommy frowned at me and I answered him, "He's with Amanda."

His eyes went wide now and then he muttered to himself, "I knew it."

I cocked my head at him again, "What? You knew that too?"

Tommy nodded, "I think I've saw it more than once, how those two are real close, just like me and you. Same goes for Wayne and Sierra, I saw it with those two more than once." Tommy let out a sigh with a giggle, "I had a feeling you knew it as well."

I asked with a narrowed look, "You knew about it? Why didn't you say anything?"

He shot his hand at me and asked back, "Why didn't YOU say anything?"

I had a surprised look on my face. Well okay, you got me there, human.

Tommy let out an ashamed breath and turned around on me, "Guess the truth really has come forth and now look at what I've done. I just kissed a dragon."

I held a glum look for him. Oh no...

I took a couple steps toward him, while lowering my head to his back, reassuring him, "Tommy, it's okay."

Tommy let out a frustrated huff and turned fast around on me, with a shake of his head, "No, it's not ok. I mean, look at what I just did to you. I...I don't know if I can do this."

I shook my head at him, "Tommy, you don't mean that."

"No, I do mean that. Right now, I feel so sick and ashamed at myself."

I said, "But you said today, that I'm a human to you, let alone tonight at the meadow."

Tommy nodded with a guilty look, "I know what I said." Then he gestured his hand back and forth to me and him, "But look at what we are. I know we both love each other, but how can THIS work out? I feel pretty conflicted about my feelings toward you. I also feel like I'm going crazy, so why do you think I just stopped kissing you? I...I'm also just afraid of what everyone else would think, what...Mother would think when she sees me from heaven doing this to you. I...I'm not a dragon, Rain. I'm not and you're not a human."

I said to him with a sad look, "Tommy...I don't see you as a human, I see you as a dragon."

Tommy argued, "But I'm not a dragon, Rain. That's the problem!"

I just stared at him now and let out a breath. He went on when he shrugged his arms, "Who are we kidding? Who are you kidding? I mean, I can't change into something that I'm not. I'm just afraid that it won't work out and I'm afraid of what mother would think. She's...Probably calling me sick right now."

I shook my head at him, with a determined look, "You know something? ...I don't care."

Tommy's face went wide again and he backed off a few steps, "What? But Rain, what would happen if-"

I cut him off when I rose my head real high staring down at him, "I don't care what we are anymore and neither should you. Despite that you're a human, I see you as this handsome drake that I've been dreaming about. You're still Tommy to me, whether you're a drake or a human. I don't care. And neither should you." Then I asked, "Did you see me as a human, more than once?"

Tommy answered with a nod, "I'll admit it....Yes. I see you as this beautiful woman with long brown hair and you even have the same eyes when you're human. Those same, love caring eyes." He was taking slow deep breaths, "I think that's another factor of why I love you that way. You really are more than just an angel to me, more than a beautiful rainbow shining on my dark days, you're...You're." He looked away and sighed.

I smiled at him, "You really do feel that way about me, do you?"

Tommy looked at me again with a glum look, "Rain...I'm not sure about us in that way and I'm very afraid of what everyone else would think about us in that way. I mean what if-"

I shook my head at him, "I don't care."

He was about to argue, "But-"

"I DON'T CARE!"

He held his human tongue after my shout. I let out a sigh, "I'm sorry for the outburst, but I don't care if anyone finds out." I waved a dismissive paw at him, "If anyone finds out and if they have a problem, then who cares? That's their fault. Because Wayne, Sierra, Amanda, and Neal, think the same way as I am. None of us care. If anyone calls us freaks, we'd ignore them, because that's their opinion, not ours."

I put a paw to my chest and my eyes hold honesty, "We maybe too different for each other, but we both have feelings and we both want to share them. We love each other and we both know it."

Tommy tried to move his mouth to apparently argue some more and I cut him off again with mine, "And I know what you're going to ask next, you're afraid that my brother would find out. Well he maybe my only brother that I have, and I know he doesn't like you being with me, but if has a problem with US as mates,  well then I hate to say it, but to hell with what he thinks! It's my life and he's going to have to get used to it!"

I lowered my head to his and went on, "I know that you're thinking about how your mother would take this. But I don't think she'd think that way and you want to know what I think about it now?"

Tommy eyed me questionably and I answered him, "I know the other reason why your mother died, other than being your angel and why we're closer than ever. It's because fate had plans for us. Just like fate had plans for Wayne, Sierra, Amanda and Neal. We're supposed to be together that way."

I sighed, as I went on, "Fate had plans for both of us. Why we both never had a mate, since we were living on in this world. I've met Wayne and the others two years ago because of what happened to me, and a year after that, we both bumped into each other in that town. I went to look for you after you sang, I Can't Hold Back and I gave you a ride back home afterward. They were all part of fate's plans for us. And when your mother got sick and didn't get better after we met, THAT was also fate's plan as well."

Tommy finally asked, "So what are you trying to say to me really?"

I took a deep breath and let it out, "What I'm trying to say is, I think Alessa knows about what fate had planned for us and she's watching us right now and she wants you to be happy. Your mother would want you to be happy, Tommy. And I think my parents knew what fate had in store too, after they both died and they're with your mother now, watching us as well. Our parents wouldn't care what we are and plus...Your mother said that I was such a nice girl, once. And besides, your mother would still love you, no matter what. She wouldn't call you a freak, or say that you're sick. She would always love you."

Tommy just stared at me and I said, "I don't care what anyone else thinks not even my brother, it's OUR lives and we shouldn't worry about it. And if anyone finds out, ignore them, because they don't know what love really is until a dragon smacks their ass real hard."

Tommy giggled at that, pretty much the first time since this happened. I let out a breath and went on, "Our parents would want us to be happy and we shouldn't care what anyone thinks. I love you, Tommy and you love me."

I gave him a pleading look, "Tommy, I know that you're still shocked at what you've done. But there never was anything to be ashamed of. You shouldn't feel ashamed at loving me that way. You see me as a human, and you went for it. You're conflicted about what I am, but you love me and you shouldn't care about that. I'm a human, beneath all those scales. And you're a dragon, living inside a human."

I shook my head after that, "You're not going crazy, you know that you love me, and you're letting your views of what I am in front of you, stop you from pursuing those feelings. I don't care what we are, Tommy. I really don't. I see what's right in front of me, I know that. I was afraid to tell you how I've felt for months, because of what we are, but I won't let that stop me, Tommy. I'm following my feelings now. That species gap, can go mount itself. I love you."

Tommy still had that apprehensive look on his face and I had a sad look on mine, "Tommy...If you don't want to be with me that way, then I understand. I won't force it. Only you can overcome this apprehension. That species gap apprehension. We'll stay as friends and nothing changes, no matter what happens, I'll always stay with you. You wouldn't have to worry about losing me. I'll respect your decision. And in fact, you can find a human mate of your own, if you want. I won't stop you. Because I care for your feelings too."

I went on with a nod, "I'll never stop loving you, I know it that much and I'll never be with a drake, because the only drake that I'd trust to be with, is you. You're my Tommy and I'd be yours. I'll be nobody else's, but yours. I'd be your mate and you'd be my drake. Nothing more than that."

I shook my head at him, "Don't let your apprehension, stop you from what you want. Be that drake, Tommy. Because you're braver than before and you're braver now than you think. You kissed me, despite what you see in front of you and despite what you are. That took a lot of courage. And for the last time, don't let everyone else control your thinking, worry about what YOU want."

Tommy after I was done saying all those words in front of his face, stared at me for a long time and he finally slowly shook his head, "You know, Rain...I could never find a human who's just like you." Then he nodded his head with a small smile, "And you know something else? You're right. About everything."

I slowly started to form a smile on my snout as I knew what he was talking about. Tommy took a few steps toward me, "For one thing, it is my life and I shouldn't care what anyone thinks. If Wayne and Amanda don't care about what anyone thinks, then I shouldn't care either.  And I know what you said about my mom and all, she'd want me to do this and it's also because I think you're right about this so called fate having plans for us. We have our lives and fate really had plans for us. There really was another reason why we met, because we both never had a mate and...We both love each other now."

Tommy shook his head softly, "And also, I...I don't think I'm shocked and ashame at what I've done anymore. I don't care now. I don't care anymore that I've just kissed you. I really care about you."

I asked, when my face was totally lit, "Really? Do you mean it?"

Tommy nodded, "I don't feel ashamed of loving you that way anymore. I actually felt happy that you didn't leave me, like when that dream happened and I'm glad that you didn't. I don't know what I'd do without you. And me and you are right about one thing, you...Really are a human beneath all those scales. I shouldn't feel ashamed about this anymore and you know something else, Rain?"

He sighed, "I know what happened to you with that drake and I know that my father is that kind of a monster. But I promise you, and only for you, I'll never be that drake and I'll never be my father. I'm different than both of them. I'm a gentle soul and always will be. I'll never hurt you."

I nodded at him, believing every word he said, "I know you won't."

Tommy reached out to touch my nose, that smile still on his face, "I don't want a human mate. I don't want anyone else, Rain. I only want you. I can never meet anyone else, like you." He moved his hand out of the way and pressed his forehead onto my nose, saying this, "I can just see that it'll work out now. I'm not afraid of doing this anymore. I'm going to wash that apprehension away, right now. Because all it does, it just stops me from what I want. Well I won't let it stop me. Not anymore."

I said to him, my voice full of happiness, "Good. And Tommy?"

He pulled his forehead off of me and looked straight into my eyes. I said this to him with love and devotion in those words, "I see you as a dragon."

Tommy smiled brightly at me, "And I see you as a human. Not as a dragon, but as a human."

After that, I gave his nose a lick and he placed a tender kiss on my nose in return. We both looked at each other now and I was the first to proclaim my love for him, "I love you, Tommy. My handsome drake."

Tommy kissed my cheek now and said it back, with no apprehension anymore, "I love you too, Rain. My angel."

Then we both slowly pressed our snout and mouth together and shared a kiss again. Nothing to hold us back anymore. My snout was adjusting to his mouth as we were kissing and he placed both hands to my face. I opened my jaw a bit, so his tongue would enter my mouth and our tongues were touching each others. I felt real warm on the inside now and I can bet so does he.

Oh Tommy, I've waited a long time for this. And you never had any idea.

You did know that I loved you and you've ignored it. But now you know the truth.

And now we're mates, like we're supposed to.

I love you my drake.

I love you, Tommy.