Eladrin

The First Date

After Killian was injured saving his life, Eladrin went to visit him every day. His visits lasted for as long as he was able to stay; sometimes he was even late to his shifts. Aside from being grateful, Eladrin visited daily because Killian didn’t like being cooped up with strict instructions not to use his injured leg, and he was dreadfully bored.

“I’m not even supposed to walk around,” he groused, fluttering his wing in the direction of his bandaged leg. The layers of white wrappings were thick and wound professionally around the wound, obscuring it from sight. It was unusual for Killian’s mood to be so sour, but Eladrin knew that if their positions were reversed, Eladrin would be complaining far more.

They passed the time reading, joking, and playing card games. After a little over a week, the clan healer deemed Killian fit to leave and use his injured leg, but she refused to clear him for duty until he was fully healed. When Eladrin heard the news, he was over the moon. He was happy that his friend was on the mend, but more so, he could finally try to ask Killian on a date.

“Okay,” Eladrin said to himself as he walked to Killian’s quarters. “You got this. You’re a good-looking dragon. You’re not as much of a downer as you used to be. You can be fun! Exude fun. I have this.”

“Eladrin!” Killian called. Eladrin froze. He was still in a very public setting, not even near Killian’s residence yet. Killian must have gone for a walk. Eladrin took a deep breath and tried to steel himself.

He did not have this.

“Killian!” Eladrin managed in the most high-pitched, pained voice that he had ever heard escape his mouth. “So—“ he coughed and cleared his throat, and when he began speaking again, he lowered his voice past its usual timbre. “So good to see you.”

Killian puffed out a laugh. “You saw me yesterday.”

“Indeed,” Eladrin said, nodding seriously. Killian gave him a confused look.

“You okay there?”

Eladrin nodded more furiously. “Yes. I am fine.” He was not fine. He was sweating like he’d been sitting in the sun for a few hours. He needed to change the topic to something safer. “How is your leg?”

“It aches, but it feels good to actually use it. I’ve been out here for a while now; walk me home?”

“Yes, of course,” Eladrin said, and walked alongside Killian. It was unusually bright that day in the Tangled Wood, and Eladrin was dazzled both by it and Killian’s smile as he looked up to the sky.

“It’s a lovely day,” Killian commented, sounding perhaps a little wistful.

“Not as lovely as you,” came out of Eladrin’s mouth before he was able to stop it. Curse how Killian seemed to short-circuit his brain. Killian looked over at him, surprise written in his wide eyes and slack jaw. Eladrin could fix this. Somehow. “That – uh –“

A slow smile drew out Killian’s mouth. “You think I’m lovely,” he said. His voice had a teasing tone to it.

“No. You misheard me.”

“Oh?” Killian asked, feigning curiosity. “What did you say, then?”

Curse him. “I… oh, Gods, okay, yes, I may have said that you are lovely. Don’t let it go to your head... but you should have dinner with me. Maybe. If that is something that would interest you.”

Killian looked positively tickled, his pleased smile squishing the bottoms of his eyes. He gently bumped his shoulder into Eladrin’s. “That is something that interests me.”

Eladrin nodded, staring at the ground. “Good. Good. I am glad.” He knew that Killian understood what he was trying to say.

Link to jennaflare who did this amazing short story