E7? 👀🙏🪦

"I have considered telling you when you've grown a little older," Morax rubs his chin, a thoughtful hum escaping from his lips. "Perhaps in fourty. No, would seventy years of mortal age be appropriate?"

"Seventy?!" Ajax shrieked in disbelief. "Morax, I'll only have a decade or two left to live!"

The ginger squeezes his hand. He can no longer imagine living in a world without his companion. "Were you ever going to tell me…?" Ajax murmurs.

Ajax takes in every word with careful consideration. They've never talked about what they meant to each other. From the first meeting up to this moment, everything just happened so naturally like they were always meant to be side by side.

“But I have no intention of tying you down as a bride. You — my greatest treasure, who wanted to see the world with your own two eyes and fulfill your burning ambitions." The dragon’s voice gradually strains as he continues. “I knew that it would not be the life that you dream of.”

"Am I your mate?" Ajax tightens his hold, his blue eyes searching for an answer. "Is that why you've always been on my side? Listening to me and protecting me?”

Morax’s gaze softens as he takes the ginger’s hand to warm in his. "….Yes. You were born with a geo mark that only I can see."

Ajax’s father tremble before his presence. Morax sees no reason in leaving such a cowardly man alive. For the sake of his companion and the good in his family, it would only be right to remove this man.

Suddenly, a familiar touch takes ahold of his ashen arm and pulls at his attention.

I know it’s impossible but I hope my health will be better next year. I just want to write.

A guttural growl reverberate from his throat.

"I did not leave to punishment the people of Morepesok.” Rex Lapis narrow his eyes. To say that he's angered would be an understatement. "There is simply no reason to stay in a land where my mate is not."

"Humans are quick to blame their misfortunes on a god," Morax leaps to the ground. In the blink of an eye, a man with dark hair appears. As he walks, his armor imitates the scales of dragon that soars in the sky while the halos of gold in his irises accentuates his slitted pupils.

"And what would that be?" Ajax crosses his arms. Strange. The dragon had never mentioned anything about a contract. His father's weary gaze sinks even further as he croaks out. "A suitable mate — a bride for his favor and protection."

"Instead of relying on a god, the villagers should learn to protect ourselves," Ajax stands by his ground. Amidst the heated discussion, his father rises from his seat. "You know nothing, son. Rex Lapis may be gone but our village has to fulfill the contract that we've forged."

“Our guardian god is leeching from a poor adventurer as always," Ajax sighs dramatically. Still, he indulges and scratches under his chin. Of course, it is only a matter of time before he's called back home. The ginger argues to cease the needless sacrifices.

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"Thanks for helping my sister," Ajax grins at his companion. He holds up the reptile and kisses his forehead. The dragon sways his tail in delight. "I expect an exquisite meal and a precious collection of antiques in exchange."

"Molly! You've returned too!" Tonia squeals as she pulls the dragon into a tight hug. Morax squirms in her hold, displeased by that cursed nickname. "Child, I’ve mentioned it many times before. My name is not —"

Ajax shuts the dragon down with a a sharp glare. Morax frowns and flicks his tail.

Morax swallows the monsters and turns into his miniature form with his fluffy body and stubby limbs. The dragon spits the filthy blood from his mouth and waddles onwards to the siblings.

He sits on his behind, like it's ever a ever a normal behavior for a pet lizard.

"B-Brother," Tonia sniffles and leaps into her brother's arms. Ajax switches his attention to the dragon and the grotesque pile of corpses that he'd swept away with his maws.

Fuck.

'Change your appearance!' The ginger flails his hand. 'You're going to scare her!'