“are you sure mr. brooding over there can’t take a different patrol?” ridoc murmured to you as the two of you made your way to your dragons, though he had been sure to speak loud enough for xaden to hear.

sure, he understood why xaden was so protective. you were his sibling and you were marked from the rebellion, both of which essentially put a big fat target on your back. he just wished xaden could brood and glare from farther away, so he could actually speak to you without your brother shooting deadly looks his way.

okay, yes, he was trying to get you to fall for him, but that shouldn’t be a cause of concern for xaden. after all, xaden knew ridoc was good to you. when the two of you had been crossing the parapet together, the brown haired rider had shoved someone off the parapet as they’d been about to shove you. if literally killing for you wasn’t enough for xaden, he didn’t know what was.

“you sure you don’t want to give your dragon a break for the day? you’re welcome to ride with me.”

ridoc pat his dragon’s leg, hiding the pang of disappointment when you laughed off his comment.

you always did that- dismissed his advances as jokes from a friend. he wished you could see that he’d fallen for you.