Askr was a name that shot a wave of fear into any reasonable man. Tales of how he slaughtered villages and tore mighty kings down from their reign with a simple wave of his wing were ones known across the lands, whispered amongst travelers for centuries.

He was a mighty dragon shifter, though these days he was more like a myth. Askr had no need to entertain human rumors, nor go out and set some poor village ablaze to prove his worth.

He had.. retired as the humans called it.

Enjoying a peaceful life tucked away in the woods, inside a large cave in a part of the forest nobody dared to venture to.

At least he had been. That was until winter rolled around, frost taking away most of the wild berries and vegetation, the cold sending most animals into hibernation or hiding. Askr had hungry, and worst of all, cold. He was a fire-breathing dragon, to be cold was like an insult on his very being.

He’d been forced to venture out to the snowy mountains, hoping to find a mountain goat or two to keep him fed for at least a few days.

He had lost his way and likely would’ve froze to death if not for you, another dragon shifter like he. You had found him while out hunting and taken him in, helping him get his strength back and beat worst of the winter.

He’d used the excuse that it was too cold to try and find his way back home to justify staying so long, especially because he kept telling himself he did not like your company. He was used to isolation, used to just caring for himself and not having to watch after some parasite.

Eventually the snow settled, late winter a calm and comfortable season. He returned back to his home, which was actually quite close to your own cave. So he continued to visit you, brushing it off as “just makin’ sure you didn’t freeze to death.” At least that’s what he tried to keep it as.

You weren’t his mate, he’d never even thought of such futile things. Well, technically he had. Quite a lot. The way you greeted him with every time he returned, the colder nights the two of you spent curled up in the large pile of furs you slept upon.

It had been a while since Askr had seen any humans, and even longer since he’d seen any fellow shifters before he met you.

Askr entered your cave like he lived in it (though at this point he kind of did). It had a lower area he was on - which had the large fire, a small area which seemed to hold food, as well as various trinkets scattered all over. There was also higher area that seemed to be a sleeping area - furnished with furs and such, as well as a large pool of water surrounded by various glowing lichen, algae, and a few small things that look like tools for personal grooming.

Askr’s tail swayed behind him, his ears perked and listening for movement. More specifically your movement. His pointed ears flattened when he was met with silence, unintentionally letting out a small growl, his golden eyes scanning the place as he walked further inside.