You sit on the cold, unforgiving ground, your legs crossed awkwardly beneath you as you stare intently at the small jar before you. The liquid inside shimmers faintly in the dim light, and you can't help but scowl as you blink at it, convinced it looks suspiciously like water.
"Are you sure it's not just water?" you call out, your voice echoing slightly in the stillness. You don't even bother to glance at the large dragon a few meters away behind you. You know he is there. His presence fills the cave even when he says and does nothing.
The male huffs in response. "Do you really think someone would dare to scam me?" His voice rumbles like distant thunder.
You shrug, feeling a mixture of uncertainty and defiance. "Well, everyone can be stupid at least once," you reason.
"Sure they can," Diman scoffs again.
A moment of silence stretches between you before you break it again. "And what if something goes wrong?" you ask. "I don't want you to get hurt just because-"
When your sentence trails off and you glance at him over your shoulder, Diman's large mouth splits into a wolfish grin. His sharp teeth gleam under the candlelight's orange glow. "Just because you want my cock?" The teasing lilt in his voice sends a rush of warmth through you.
You've lived with Diman for almost a year now, and in that time, he's pushed you to the brink of ecstasy more times than you can count. Some days, it's almost a competition to him to see just how many times you can reach your climax, yet, despite the familiarity of his teasing, you still feel your cheeks heat up at his words.
"Come now," he purrs. His voice is smooth as silk and dripping with playful seduction. "You can't tell me that you don't want it."
You can't deny the truth in his words. The longing that has built inside you each day has become maddening. No matter how close you feel to Diman, there's an unmistakable barrier created by the vast difference in size between you.
"Of course I want it," you reply steadily despite the flutter of nerves in your stomach. "I want you, but not at all costs."
You hear him rising to his feet, the powerful thud of his clawed paws against the ground reverberating through the silence. He moves gracefully, as if the weight of his massive body is a mere afterthought, and settles down beside you with a gentle thump that stirs the earth beneath you. His head lowers, resting next to your body, and you can't help but admire the contrast between his imposing form and your own.
Diman's large eyes soften as he gazes at you, a flicker of understanding shining in the depths of his golden irises. He leans into your offered hand, rubbing his nose against your palm, the warmth of his breath sending shivers up your arm. "It's safe," he assures you, his voice deep and reassuring. "The worst that can happen is nothing." There's a calm certainty in his words that soothes your worries, but still, a part of you hesitates.
"And what if you stay that size? What then?"
His expression shifts to teasing in an instant, that signature glint returning to his eyes. "What? You won't love me anymore?" He laughs.
You elbow him playfully, though you can't shake the feeling that he feels it less than you do. "I don't want you to change. Would you really be happy if you stayed my size?" The question hangs in the air, heavy with the weight of unspoken truths.
Diman's large mouth opens, and for a moment, it seems he's ready to respond, but then his voice falters, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features.
"See?" you point out, a small smile playing on your lips. "You would hate it. You like being this scary dragon who can burn down anything." The words come out more playful than accusatory.
He locks his gaze with you, a knowing look passing between you. "You love that too," he counters. "And my offer still stands."
"You won't burn down my ex-village," you tell him firmly, your brow furrowing slightly. The thought of it doesn't stir any deep feelings within you; the village holds no charm or attachment. They had cast you aside, throwing you into the dragon's arms as if your life were a mere game, an expendable pawn in their fears. Even though Diman is the best thing that ever happened to you, the villagers didn't know that. They had always seen him as a monstrous threat, and now, they likely think you already died at his claws. You are sure they had already forgotten you even existed.
He huffs in mock disappointment, but you can see the spark of mischief in his eyes as he glances back at the small vial still sitting on the ground. The shimmering liquid inside catches the light, glinting like a treasure waiting to be uncovered.
"So?" he asks, tilting his head slightly. "Do you want me to drink it?"
"You won't leave me alone until I say yes anyway," you reply, attempting to suppress the flicker of worry that still lingers in the back of your mind.
"You're right," he nods, his golden eyes alight with mischief. Stubborn as ever, and not even trying to hide it.
You sigh, relenting. "Then drink it."
Diman gives a satisfied rumble, rising to his feet and approaching the small vial on the ground with a careful slowness. He lowers his massive snout until it hovers just above the tiny glass container, his eyes narrowing with annoyance.
Then, after a long pause, he glances up. "Could you... open it?"
The request sounds so awkward, so endearingly out of place, that you can't help yourself, you lean back, bursting into laughter. "Oh, you beast!" Your voice echoes off the mountain walls.
"Har-har-har," he grunts, rolling his eyes but staying completely still, clearly waiting for you to help.
Shaking your head with a grin, you finally stand and walk over to the vial. Reaching out, you pop it open. The glass feels cool and smooth beneath your fingers as you twist the tiny cap, releasing a faint, fragrant aroma that drifts up to your nose. It doesn't smell familiar, and it only makes you more worried.
Diman's eyes remain locked on yours, his gaze intense and unwavering, as you hold out the open vial. For a brief moment, time seems to stand still, the air thick with anticipation, and then, with a slow, deliberate motion, he parts his jaws, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth that glint in the dim light. You carefully reach over the intimidating barrier of fangs, and tilt the vial.
The moment the liquid touches his tongue, the two of you hold your breath, eyes locked on one another as you pull back, watching him intently. You wait, bracing for some shift, some sign of transformation, but the seconds drag on, stretching into a long, tense silence. Diman's form remains unchanged.
"Do you feel anything?" you ask, your voice barely more than a whisper.
"Nothing," he replies.
You raise an eyebrow. "How did it taste?"
Diman gives a small shake of his head, his expression unreadable. "Didn't feel that either," he mutters, glancing down at the vial with an annoyed huff.
"So... you think they really scammed you?" you ask cautiously, watching his expression closely. Though a part of you feels relieved that nothing bad happened, you can sense Diman's disappointment like a wave radiating off him. The excitement in his eyes has faded, replaced with a quiet frustration that's hard to ignore.
"Not necessarily," he says, shaking his large head slowly, his gaze lingering on the empty vial. "These things... Magic isn't something you can predict." His voice is low and thoughtful, as though he's trying to reason through his own expectations.
More seconds pass, each one dragging with anticipation. Finally, Diman lets out a deep, frustrated huff, the sound echoing off the rough mountain walls. "I'll still be asking for my gold back," he mutters, tinged with irritation as he turns, flicking his tail dismissively.
You can't help it. Your jaw clenches, stifling a laugh as you watch him stalk toward the nest you've built together. The sight of a massive dragon sulking over a failed potion is so absurdly endearing that a warm amusement bubbles up in your chest. You know you should feel some disappointment, at least to some extent, but the truth is, your fears had outweighed your hopes all along. A part of you braced for the worst, imagining scenarios where the magic might have gone wrong, and relief floods you. Diman, however, had believed in this wholeheartedly, his hopes stretching far beyond your cautious expectations. As he lies there, huffing quietly to himself, you can feel the lingering frustration radiating from him. For him, the vial had promised something grand, a spark of magic that could have changed everything. Something that could have brought you closer together. And now, that possibility sits hollow between you.
With a sigh, you settle into the nest beside him, pressing yourself close to his hard, scaly skin, feeling the familiar warmth seep through. Blankets and layers of fabric cocoon you, but it's his presence that truly wraps you in comfort. Reaching out, you let your fingers trail slowly over his scales, each ridge grounding you with its solid, reassuring warmth.