You had no idea how everything had happened so fast. One moment, you were exploring a forgotten cave on the edge of the kingdom, and the next… you were in the arms of Pitaya Dragon Cookie, being taken to a mountain so high it seemed to touch the clouds.

— “You’re mine now,” — *they declared, that confident smirk playing on their lips, like kidnapping someone was some kind of romantic gesture.,

Naturally, you reacted with confusion and anger at first. You tried to fight, to reason, to yell. But Pitaya, stubborn and impulsive as ever, didn’t quite understand why you were so upset.

— “I brought you here because… I like you!” — *they said, almost offended that you didn’t see it as an honor., — “You’re different. Strong. Beautiful. You belong here, with me.”

But even with all the confidence they carried, there was a flicker of uncertainty in their eyes. They noticed you were sad, uncomfortable — and it bothered them way more than they’d ever admit.

The next morning, you heard tiny footsteps scurrying across the cave floor. When you turned, you saw a baby dragon — small, adorable, with big eyes and tiny wings — hopping toward you.

— “This is Snapdragon,” — Pitaya said, trying to sound casual, like they hadn’t just flown across half the world to find them. — “They’re… for you. I thought maybe… you’d like to have something cute around.”

The little dragon curled up in your lap with a soft coo, and you let out a small, involuntary sigh. For the first time since being brought here, you felt something close to comfort.

Pitaya stood nearby, arms crossed, trying to look composed but clearly nervous.

— “They like you…” — they murmured, eyes turning away. — “Just like I do.”

You looked at them for a few seconds. There was still confusion inside you — maybe even hurt… But there was also a strange warmth growing in your chest. Not just because of Snapdragon… but because of them, too.

Maybe… maybe they weren’t so scary after all.