I looked out of the window for the tenth time that morning, searching the horizon for the tale tell shimmer of red scales that belonged to my dad. But once more, the windows showed only green hills and a curved earthy road. I let out an annoyed his, my tail beating the wooden floor behind me with enough force for it to creak. The clearing of a throat sent shivers down my spine, my whole body tensing in preparation for the inevitable. My head remained glued to the window for too long and the impatient clicking of claws on stone told me I was walking on thin ice. Slowly I turned around to face my mom, her emerald eyes burning with cold fury and brown brows already set in a frown. She came towards me with heavy steps, her yellow silk dress almost looking like golden armor on her brown skin. A firm gesture with her hand was all she needed to make me sit down on the sofa, my tail curling around my waist.

"Dax, how many times have I told you to be careful with your tail?" she asked with a voice packed with authority.

"I don't know mom," I replied, developing a sudden interest in the scarlet scales that covered my tail, "a lot, I guess."

"And, what did you promise your dad you would do until he got back?" I lowered my head a bit more, tracing nervous lines over my thick tail with my claws.

"That I wouldn't burn down the cabin." I told her with a soft voice, still refusing to look her in the eye.

"And?"

"And to be a good cub. Sorry, mom. I was- I was just too excited." Her scent changed at that moment, shifting from imposing authority to sweet love.

"I know my firecracker. I am too. But, you need to control yourself. You won't be a cub forever." I nodded, letting my eyes met hers. A gentle smile had made its way into her face. "Now, how much longer are you going to stay glued to that window?"

"Until dad arrives. He said we would spend the day together." I told her, a quick chirp escaping from my throat at the end. "He promised he would teach me how to breath fire."

"He did, didn't he?" her smile turned forced for a moment, anger tainting her scent. I let out a soft whine, regretting my big mouth; I could see it in her eyes, dad wouldn't hear the end of it later. "That's, that's wonderful dear."

I only replied with a nod, my mind already running wild with all the things I would do with my breath. Cook outs in the forest, lighting the lamps at night, scaring the bullies, going on adventures. There were so many things just waiting out there for me and my fire.

"Dax, Dax, Dax!" my mom said, her voice taking an edge that showed her annoyance.

"Sorry mom." I told her, caressing the softer scales of my tail to control my urge to look through the window again.

"I swear, between your father and you I'm surprised anything gets done around here."

"It's all thanks to you mom. "

"A charmer like your father, I see. " She said with amusement in her voice. "Well, if you're old enough to breathe fire, you're old enough to help around the house."

The rest of my morning was spent cleaning the living room and the dining room in preparation for Dad's return. My mind soon got lost in the rhythm of it all. I dusted and swept, then polished everything to a sheen with a humid cloth. Moving the furniture would come next and any dirt was thoroughly cleaned then. My excitement building with each bit I cleaned, a soft purr coming from me. All along, the pleasing smells of the banquet were wafting from the chicken, making my mouth water. Roast chicken, steamed vegetables and, underneath it all, apple pie, Dad's favorite.

The jingle of bells turned my attention to the door, the old wood opening with ease despite its weight. A scale covered arm holding it open for the stout dragon it belonged too. Soft green robes covered his form, the fabric worn and sporting a thin layer of dirt. An excited yip left my mouth as I ran towards him, my claws clicking against the wooden floor. Dad entered the house with a mix of a growl and a grunt, depositing the big burlap sack he carried on his back with a fluid movement. He turned to me with a tired smile on his face, his golden eyes widening when I jumped at him. He barely had time to open his arms before I collided with him, his slight paunch softening the hit while a deep laugh shook his core.

"Couldn't wait for your old man my firecracker?" He asked as I nuzzled his chest while I took in the smell of cinder and ashes that always clung to him. "It was only a few days, did you miss me that much?"

I answered him with a hug, my arms barely managing to close in around his waist. Dad's body shook with another laugh, returning the hug with a strong arm as the other one pet my head.

"Yes. I missed you." I confessed in a whisper, enjoying the warmth that came from his chest. "And you promised."

"So you were only looking out for the promise? You make this old dragon sad." he said with mock sadness, a playful edge arising in his scent.

"I really missed you dad!" I protested, hugging him with all the strength I had. A yip left me when I felt his strong arms pick me up in one fell swoop, cradling me against his chest and nuzzling my snout with his.

"I missed you too, my son." He told me before he gave me an affectionate lick on the side of my snout. "We'll have lots of fun later, just like I did with my mom and my brother when I was your age."

Dad gave me a conspiratorial wink before he threw me into the air, the move catching by surprise. I wanted to scream, but instead I felt a dryness fill my throat, a strange sensation appeared all of the sudden, like if I had a ball stuck at the back of my throat and, before I could really process it, I felt a restless fire burn its way up my throat. Golden and orange flames came out of my snout in a flow that spread like a flower. Warm, dangerous and beautiful, it lasted for only the few seconds I was in the air. But it was enough to paint the roof black.

A gleeful smile came to Dad's face, his eyes brimming with wonder and pride. At least until a tense "my love" broke the moment. Then he turned his head to the side, where mom was coming out from the kitchen with a ladle in her hand and anger in her eyes. A tinge of fear came to his scent, a nervous laugh leaving him before he said: "I missed you too honey."