Archive of Our Own

Scott blinked away; he still felt tired but that was normal. He glanced to the side of his bed looking for Aurora finding her sleeping on the covers of his bed. He smiled then let his eye fall forward.

There was a figure.

It was right at the top of the staircase that led into the bedroom. The room that he was in right now, sleeping in.

He pushed himself up, staring at them. They got closer and closer till they were at the foot of his bed they just stared, not moving.

Scott could feel his heart beat picking up and the temperature in the room drop.

They just stood there with no detail in the face but a crooked grin that got bigger. He flinched covering his head. 

He was waiting for the impact. He eventually felt something poke him in the side but it was a soft touch and accompanied with a whine. 

Scott pulled his hands away seeing that the figure was gone. It was Aurora who had poked him and was looking concerned.

How did she also not panic? Did she miss the figure? Scott quickly got out of bed, he put his hand out to let Aurora crawl onto his shoulder.

He couldn't let whoever was in the room hurt her.

He had checked everywhere, and there was nothing in his dorm. Not even a sign of forced entry. 

It had been a dream, of course it was what it always was. 

This had been the first vivid dream he had since being at the academy. Part of him hoped maybe his magic or the academy itself would stop them.

Aurora snuggled into his neck obviously still tired from her rude awakening.

Scott sighed, kneading his forehead, he needed to stop wasting his time. 

Sausage looking up at him as Scott approached the table, 

"Scott, do you want to switch out and I can do some searching?" Sausage took the two books from Scott's hands.

"No, I'm quite alright." Scott waved him off. "Honestly I would slow it down. I'm not the best at reading."

"Why that?" Graecie looked up from her book. 

"I just never had the time for it." After he had been given the go ahead to go back to doing labour he spent all his energy on it. To the point where he would try and read and he would literally fall asleep, it was probably for the best, his time and energy was better used helping Tegrith. 

"Well maybe another time we could read together." Graecie looked at the sausage with a hopeful look. "You're already teaching me new words, maybe you can help with Scott's reading."

"Of course!" Sausage almost jumped out of his seat in excitement. "We can have a sleep over."

"Oh blessed bells." Graecie jumped out of her seat. "I'm sure the dragons will also love it, all them snuggled together?"

Scott hesitated. It would be nice to read again. Maybe with more people around he would be more likely to stay awake.

"Okay." Graecie and Sausage stopped their chatter, looking at him with wide eyes.

"Really?!" Graecie grabs his hands, jumping up and down.

Man what he would give to have the energy her and Sausage have. It reminds him of young him and Pyro.

"Okay." Scott pulled his hand out of Graecie's grip. "We figure out a day but let's get back to work for now."

Graecie looked a little disappointed but nodded walking over back to her books.

"Let me help look a little." Sausage followed Scott further into the library. "I want to have some to take back to my dorm."

Scott nodded, showing Sausage what he had looked over so far. He ended up in the ladder well Sausage started the next wall.

Scott isn't a big fan of heights but he never let it stop him, needing to be useful.

But maybe he should ask Sausage to switch, it wouldn't really affect the search and Sausage always loved to help, especially his friends.

It was nice to actually have friends. It had been a long time since he had been around people his own age.

With Pyro leaving, Joel’s death, and the winter getting harsher, which they now know is because of the corruption, bringing less travelers.

Scott did feel a little alone; he was either too young for older people or had to be the voice of reason, or buzzkill, to the younger ones.

It had been a long time since he had just been peers with someone.

"What are you smiling about?" Scott hadn't even realized he'd been smiling which must have dropped for Sausage to pout. "Don't stop, I wanted to savor it more."

Scott had always had a neutral face and some of the other kids would make fun of it. well Pyro, back when they could stand each other, loved to try and make him smile.

"Well I guess smile or not!" Sausage voice drop to more of a flirty tone. "You look very handsome.~" 

Scott could feel the unfamiliar feeling of heat traveling up his cheeks. Feel the warm build up in his body. 

He tried to lift his hand to cover his face, which he wasn't even sure if a blush would show up, but he ended up not being able to raise his hand. 

He swore, trying to grip the ladder but all his limbs weaker like all power had just been taken from them.

"Scott?!" Sausage's voice was panicked, and didn’t help with his own panic as he slipped off the ladder. "Oh!"

He tried to reach for it but his limbs were sluggish. He squished his eyes shut not even being able to tense up from how weak he felt.

He expected a crack or crunch but there was only a thud. When he opened his eyes for a second the library roof looked like treetops and it was soft snow under him.

But then the snow moved and he looked behind to see Sausage, who had cushioned his fall.

Luckily this bout of weakness goes as quickly as it came. It made it way easier to dismiss; he didn't need to give anyone a reason to doubt him.

"Are you okay?" Scott helped Sausage up from the ground when he didn't see and blood and limb bend weirdly.

"Yeah I tried to catch you but I underestimated how much you weigh." Sausage stepped closer to Scott grabbing his shoulder and looking him over. “What happened?” 

“I slipped.” The lie easily slipped from his lips.

“Can’t handle a pretty man complementing you.” Sausage leaned more into Scott getting close.

Sausage’s metal arm felt warm on his skin as it traveled up to his cheek. He leaned into to it without fully realizing it was just so warm and comfortable like Pyro-

“Are you two okay?” Scott and Sausage jumped away from each other seeing Graecie round the bookcase.

Sausage quickly went into an explanation. Leaving Scott to try and shake off the tiredness that always accompanied the bout of weakness.

Scott felt warm he sighed snuggling closer into the warmth he was leaning on. He missed when he felt this warm. The cold air and a warm blanket or fire to warm him was always the best. 

But even with fire and blankets he never feels this warm. Scott forced his eyes open to a fireplace, it was the one he made in his dorm. He was leaning on something solid and warm. Scott looked up to see Pyro.

Pyro wasn’t looking at him but he could still see all the details of his face. He had his tongue slightly poking out letting Scott see his Piercing; he still didn’t really understand them even after Pyro tried to explain them.

Especially the fact the ones on his face apparently weren’t the only ones. But he wasn’t sure why you would ever do that, not like you could see them. He let his eyes follow Pyro gaze to a book in his lap. 

Oh he fell asleep while studying.

“Scott, you awake.” Graecie's voice was quiet, but everyone heard her both Sausage and Pyro looking at him.

It let him see more clearly Pyro's face looked surprised by eventually falling into a smirk. Scott pushed himself off of Pyro.

“Sorry.” Scott rubbed his eye, already feeling cold without Pyro’s warmth. “How long have I been asleep?”

“You were asleep for 20 minutes.” Pyro looped an arm around Scott's shoulders pulling him into Pyro's chest. “If you're still sleepy you can continue to use me as a pillow.”

Scott tried to pull away but Pyro held him tight, even after his nap, like normally he didn’t feel anymore rested.

“Hey!” Pyro's body was pushing into his arms and looped around his back. “Let go, Sausage.”

The additional arms made them shift positions letting Scott get a view over his shoulder as Sausage had grabbed around Pyro and his waist.

“What? I thought you wanted a hug?” Sausage fluttered his eyelashes acting all innocent, he ignored Pyro huff looking over to Graecie. “You want to join?”

“What? No!-” “I don’t thin-” 

Graecie did seem to listen to Pyro or him skipping over and looping her arms around Scott and Pyro the opposite of Sausage. “Oh I miss group hugs.”

Scott felt warm physically and emotionally. Though he felt happy to have people want to touch him but it was too much. It was the same feeling he would get when his parents' relatives would dote on him, pinch his cheeks, pull him into hugs saying how cute he was.

He should be happy they just want to give him attention, they just showing how much they loved him. He was being overdramatic, they weren’t hurting him. He was fine, he just needed to be patient and let them get it all out.

Though he wasn’t sure how long that would take with Sausage having fun teasing and flirting with Pyro he guesses he wasn’t special  who was threatening to set himself on fire. Scott flinched as he felt Graecie's head fall on his shoulder. She luckily did notice or ignored it, she just closed her eyes and sighed happily.

Scott swallowed trying to focus on something else that wasn’t him suffocating. They would eventually be disinterested in him like everyone at home.

"Scott." Scott opened his eyes to see the face of Drift.

"What up?" Scott grumbled, he hadn't meant to fall asleep.

"I wanted you to help with something." Scott's eyes traveled past Drift when he saw movement. "But if you want to keep sleeping, it's not urgent."

“No I should get up-” Scott's breath hitched.

Beside the door stood Joel, who was dead. He was just staring at Scott, not even really focusing on him.

"Scott?" Drift followed Scott's gaze but scanned over Joel. "What are you looking at?"

"Its-." Scott's voice cracked and he pushed himself to a more upright position. "He's right by the door."

"What, I don't see anyone?" Drift was kept on looking right over Joel.

Joel started moving closer, finally his face shifting to anger the same as the day of the accident.

Scott stood up, grabbing Drift and pushing her behind him. "Scott there is nothing there."

When he went back to focus on Joel, he was gone.

"Where...?" Scott scanned the whole room looking for where he was hiding. "He's gone?"

"Scott, there was no one there." Drift grabbed Scott by the arms and spun him around. "Take a deep breath."

Scott couldn’t calm down. He needed to find where he went. He was just here but he's dead. How could he even be here-

It was a dream.

Scott could feel the shame wash over him.  "Sorry I-"

"It's okay." Drift's hand was firm on his arms. "Why don't you explain what you saw?"

"It's nothing, sorry." Scott tried shrugging Drift off, but she held firm.

"No, it obviously isn't nothing." Drift guided Scott back onto the couch. "That is the most expression I've seen form you that wasn’t forced."

Scott grimaced.

"Hey I believe you saw something and it really seemed to freak you out." Drift put his bag down, pulled out Fern and putting them in Scott's lap.

Drift looked genuinely concerned but would she even believe him? He knows his vivid dreams have nothing to do with magic with how he had them long before he even heard of the academy.

"It was just a vivid dream of someone I knew." Aurora hopped up on the couch and joined Fern in his lap. "They're long dead."

"I'm sorry. Were you friends?" Drift put a hand on his shoulder. "You seemed scared?"

"No, I-." Scott paused, he honestly doesn’t know why the thought of Joel freaked him out. "We were arguing when he died… I think?."

"You saw him die?" He could hear the shock in Drift's voice.

Scott just nodded. He doesn't remember it well, only bits and pieces. The rough texture of a bow in his hand, the creaking of the tree under them, Joel's voice.

He doesn't even really remember Joel’s words, just his voice and his anger.

Something warm enveloped him, it was Drift. "That must have been hard."

Scott felt his throat tighten and he returned the embrace gripping on tight. The two dragons between them didn't seem to be happy with being squished trying to wiggle out of the embrace.

It honestly felt great to have someone acknowledge it. His parents and town had all been more focused on the physical damage. He had been the lucky one, the one who survived by some sort of miracle.

He should just be happy to be alive, not cause trouble and do his best to work hard for Tegrith. He wasn’t in Tegrith right now and no one needed him, he could relax.

“Pyro.” Scott steeled himself, he would really be keeping a secret if he didn’t tell Pyro now. “There is one more thing.”

“What?” Scott turned away from his door to fully face Pyro, he looked annoyed like Scott just breathing was irritating him.

“Joel died 5 years ago.” Scott keeps his hand on his door knob trying to steady himself. “I think he was corrupted.”

“What?! You really-” Pyro cut himself off, grumbled trying to contain his anger. “How?”

“I was out hunting when Joel showed up and started yelling. I don’t remember what he was saying but his anger came out of nowhere, he ended up in the tree at some point, on the same branch as me and it snapped.”

He could hear that Pyro had stopped pacing but he was looking down at his feet.

“He died on impact and I almos-”

“What does that have to do with the corruption?” Scott snapped his head up taking in Pyro’s expression.

“He had visited the corruption spot a week before.” Scott gripped the handle tighter. “He was also acting strange.”

“The corruption's been there for 5 years?”

“Well no. I found it 2 years ago-”

Pyro let out a little laugh. “Did he have a bruised eye? or unsatisfiable hunger?”

“I don’t remember." Scott didn’t like Pyro tone, like just the idea itself was stupid. “But he was attacking me when I was out hunting.”

“You don’t remember?" Pyro rubbed his temple. “So you really are just making stuff up now?”

Scott's eyes widened, letting his hand fall from the doorknob stepping closer to Pyro. “No, it's just he keeps on showing up.”

Pyro actually did look up at him rubbing his chin. “Like here at the academy?” 

“Yeah, after I wake up I sometimes see him.” Scott didn’t feel it was too important to say he didn’t just see Joel.

“Did you ever see him in the spot where he died?” 

Pyro scanned Scott's face making him want to shrink in on himself. “Well no-”

“Did you ever actually touch him?”

“no.”

“So you never touch him, and only see him after you wake up?” Pyro glared at him and obviously distrust in his face. 

“Well if you put it like that it-”

“It sounds made up.” Pyro stepped closer even though he was now shorter, he still managed to make Scott feel small. He honestly hated when he acted like this more than when he would get angry and shout it was more calculated and demoralizing. 

“I-

“What are you going to argue?” Pyro spat out his words, throwing his arm around. “You can’t just make stuff up and say ‘you don’t remember' when someone asks for details."

“What reason would I have to make this up?.” He believed Pyro with Tim, Pyro could even acknowledge it was a possibility.

“There is no way the corruption that did show till years later could have affected Joel.” Pyro got into Scott's face, poking him with his finger. “It honestly just sounds like you're just trying to explain it away.” 

“What?” Scott's eyes widened. “What are you insinuating?”

“Joel was your only competition.” Pyro stepped closer back Scott into the wall. “You both just so happened to be up in a tree and you came out perfectly fine.”

“I wasn’t fine!”

“Oh sure.” Heat was rolling off Pyro in waving. “He was threatening your place in Tegrith.”

“That is not true.” Scott's voice came out cracked. “I’m just as much a part of Tegrith as anyone, my parents-

“Oh what, they help hide how lazy their son is? I assume Joel was the only one who was willing to point  it out.” Pyro snarled out, Scott flinched at those words. “What? You don’t think I’d not notice how every single time we do any studying you either leave or fall asleep. Too good to do some reading?”

“I-” Scott back hit the wall, swallowing.

“Becase guess what Scott that is what we are mostly going to be needing to do here, This isn’t tegrith.” Pyro spat, poking Scott in the shoulder. “We don't need physical labour, we need to actually use our head.”

He remembers Pyro words from the first day how he was cut out for this place. He had desperately wanted to deny it, Aurora had chosen him, same with his magic. But he felt more exhausted than when he was doing 10 hours of labour everyday.

“You say I’m pretending? But you are the real actor” Pyro huffed, blowing smoke into Scott's face. “Always so good at making it seem like you belong.”

Pyro didn’t give Scott the chance to say anything, stepping away not even looking back at Scott, as he slammed his door.

Scott for once wasn’t shaking from the cold. The heat that came off Pyro still lingered, almost making him sweat. Aurora made squawking noises trying to wriggle out of his backpack that was pressed against the wall.

When he moved away from the wall, she took the opportunity to curl into his neck making a cooing noise.

Was Pyro right? He always tried to be kind, and helpful making sure he actually smiled and didn’t let his expressionless face show too much. He hoped all his efforts worked and his friend dormmates actually liked him. 

Scott stepped into his room, closing the door behind him and letting himself slide down the door curling in on himself. 

Really what was there to like. What even was there to him? He was strong but what did that do in a world of magic, there was no farms, herds, or hunting needed, the academy provided it all. What was really needed was studying and he couldn’t even do that without falling asleep.

Aurora nudged her way into Scott's lap rubbing against his face. He let out a sigh, Aurora had to have a reason to pick him.

Pyro panting as the arena was emptied of enemies, he could still feel the ice in the air. Magic started weaving over their heads slowly giving the lower then highest scores. Finally it stopped showing the highest score.

“Scott your first place!” Shelby bowled Scott, almost knocking him over. 

All the vuples gathered around him congratulating him, Scott's shocked expression quickly turned into a grin, he looked so bright. 

Aurora was also celebrating having climbed on Scott's head. Pyro also gets lost in the graduations, slapping Scott on the back and cheering. Scott turned to him and it was honestly a surprise that he could smile wider, it was some of the warmest Pyro had seen Scott recently.

People from other dorms were also giving them congratulations, which made sense they were in the best dorm and they won. The other contest they weren’t the best but with combat they were exceptional, Pyro heat to make the cold more bearable it worked perfectly. He couldn’t wait for the dragon to grow and for it to be even better.

“...help!” Pyro whipped his head around at Elaine's voice seeing her holding up Scott. Boa quickly steps in helping Elaine lower the completely limb Scott to the floor.

Pyro quickly pushed past the people who were focusing on Scott, luckily they were smart enough to not crowd him.

“What happened?” Pyro landed beside Scott, his eyes were opened, his mouth was moving a little coming out with incoherent words.

“Here.” Drift passed her cloak to Elaine, who quickly bunched it up, setting it under Scott's head.

“I don’t know, he suddenly grabbed my shoulder and then went limb.“ Elaina answered, holding Scott's hand.

“But he was fine.” Pyro's words were swallowed by wind quickly whipped past him.

The Professor was hovering over the crowd, people looking up at him confused not having realised the emergency happening feet away.

A little smoke spilling from her mouth had the crowd quickly making room for him to land.

It was honestly the closest he's ever gotten to the Professor he could reach out and touch him. The Professor didn’t even look at him, focusing on Scott seeming to scan him over. 

“Step back.” The professor's voice rang through their head, the three of them hesitantly stepped back knowing to not get in the way.

Scott didn’t seem to be in pain or anything he almost looked to be sleeping just had his eyes open. It was still freaky though, was this the magic? the arena? 

Would the last real conversation they had be an argument? How would he explain this to the Boralith’s? Was Scott going to be okay?

“Do you know what is wrong?” Boa had Aurora in her arms, the dragon looked distressed trying to fight her way back to Scott.

The professor just ignored her sniffing Scott then opening his mouth and picking Scott up. He heard multiple gasp but before he could fully process he was moving forward. The professor took off quickly but Pyro was also quick using his fire to launch himself into the air grabbing the professor.

He threw himself on the professor's back, Cindy was luckily secure in his bag.

“Get off.” The professor's voice rang through his head.

“No way.” Pyro yelled, he could feel himself heating up. “If you're going to be putting people in your mouth I'm keeping an eye on you?”

The professor huffed, then they were spinning. Pyro tried to hold on tight but the scales were too smooth and he could get a grip.

He fell onto the grass outside the arena by the time he got his bearings, the professor was already too far for Pyro to reach.

The professor didn’t really seem to care fot the rider and they have already seen a dragon eat someone he won’t let Scott be his new dinner. Even if he was dying Scott would want his body to go back to Tegrith and have a proper ritual there.

The professor was flying towards the academy so he could at least give the overgrown lizard a piece of his mind. He activated the recall spell only for it to be interrupted by something slamming into him.

“Let go!” Pyro tried to fight the guard but they wouldn’t ease up. 

Pyro was forced to the ground and cuffed. A few of the other students had also made their way out the building and were staring at him, he made eye contact with Drift who gave him a determined look.

It made him feel a little better but he wasn’t going to give up fighting the guards, he would go back kicking and screaming if he had too.

Pyro was finally escorted out of his cell by a guard. For the last few hours he had been yelling at the guards and anyone who passed by but he was ignored, he was given no updates or information on Scott or anyone else.

The guard also would say anything completely silent. It was only when they got to the academy and he was handed to Guard Guard that he got anything.

"Scott is likely still in his room." Guard guard projected his voice to him after uncuffing him. "That at least when I say him last."

"Thank you." Pyro politely nodded to them running down the halls.

"Don't run in the halls." He could tell Guard guard didn't actually mean it.

He never minded when Guard Guard spoke to him in his mind. Unlike the professor's voice that was loud and fully fills your head, Guard guard's was always softer.

It didn't take long to get into their dorm with how late it was most people were sleeping the only one he did see was Drift who was smoking on the stairs.

"Pyro! you're out of jail." She flicked out the bud, most likely from Elaina. 

"Yeah, have you spoken to Scott?" Pyro glanced up the stairs. "Do you know what happened?"

"Yeah he's fine." Drift paused before continuing. "He has taken the news that he has narcolepsy well."

That made Pyro freeze. He's heard of it before in plays and storys. How a character will just randomly fall asleep if their body so decided.

"Really?" A laugh crawled up Pyro’s throat. "Oh my gods! He just fell asleep, oh my."

Pyro rubbed his face hard, of course his worry had been for nothing Scott was just asleep. "Why is he still here?"

"What?" Drift tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

"He could fall asleep at any point." Pyro through out his arms. "He was lucky he fell asleep when we were anywhere dangerous."

"You think he should go home?" Drift face scrunch up.

"Yeah." Pyro just huffed, he had been right and Scott wasn't cut out for this. He could get himself killed if he continues and he doesn't want to be the one to explain to his parents he’s dead. 

"I guess he could stay as the cook." Pyro chuckled as the mental image of Scott snorting on the cutting board. "Though he would need supervision."

Pyro stumbled as Drift shoved him. "I thought you were friends again?"

"Well.." they weren't friends, weren't enemies, not even rivals, especially now. "It's complicated and when the dragons are big enough to fly he is a liability up in the air."

"That's not how it works." He could feel the dirt shift as Drift got more upset. "He can function just fine by himself, especially with the fact he knows why he has been so tired."

“Is their a cure?” was Drift really not getting it.

“Well no but their is a way to manage the symptoms.”

"Yeah, keyword manage." Pyro scoffed. "You enjoy your little fantasy where 'no matter what anyone can do anything'."

Pyro drops the sweetly sick voice. "If you're going to slow down for Scott go ahead but I won’t stop for him."

Pyro shoved past drift, not caring for what she had to say. 

As Pyro turned down his hallway he thought he saw Scott's door close. Pyro shook it off, assuming he was just tired from being in jail for no good reason.

"Scott!" Cam called in a singsong voice.

Drift wanted him to stay away but he had insisted and it was probably better to be here so she can distract Cam or do damage control.

There was silence for only a few minutes when Cam turned to her. "Should we go in?"

"No." Drift grabbed Cam arm, dragging him down the hall. "He probably just isn't in."

"Well we can at least drop off the food and maybe you can do some cleaning."

"No, you can't enter someone's home without permission."

"I can because I'm a prince." Cam pulled his hand out of Drift grip.

Drift followed right on Cam's tail. "Well you won't break in and I'm sure Scott locked his door."

The door swung open. "Its unlocked! So he must not mind then."

Drift ran a hand down her face, of course Scott said he was from a small town in the mountains why would they lock doors.

Drift follows Cam not wanting to leave Cam alone in Scott dorm. Cam had already made it to the living where he had picked up Aurora, as he looked at the fire.

That must mean Scott home, he never left anywhere without her. 

Drift slipped on the ice on the floor and caught herself on a table, rattling everything on it.

"Sssh." Cam's voice was actually in a whisper. "He is sleeping."

Drift bit her lip walking over to peer over the couch to see Scott. He was curled up, there was an empty spot which she imagined Aurora had been earlier.

"It's always interesting that even with a fire in his room he's still covered in frost." Cam was leaning over the couch staring at Scott.

Drift looked closer at Scott’s face, there were little flecks of frost in his face. Especially down his cheeks like tear tracks.

Drift grabbed Cam pulling him away from the couch. "Drop off the food then we'll go." 

Cam looked back at Scott, he seemed a little confused but nodded passing Aurora to her.

Well Cam got the food situated in Scott's kitchenette. Drift went about planting Aurora back into Scott arms.

It was a little tricky lifting Scott's hand and not dropping Aurora. Luckily the dragon was well behaved and didn’t squirm, happily snuggling into Scott. 

She wasn't really sure what to do. She had snuck into the infirmary with Callum and overheard doctor Violet speaking with Scott.

Scott looked relieved with every question Violet asked and explained what to expect. He did even seem to be annoyed when after he was let out the infirmary that Drift and Callum had been listening in. 

A tired smile hadn't left his face even when Callum had to help him up the stairs. 

Something must have happened for him to have been crying, did Pyro already say something?

"All done." Cam's voice was a little loud, making Scott stir.

She shushes him quickly standing up to leave. Cam did whisper that her shush was just as loud as making them both argue back and force. Only from them to hear a creak, making them freeze.

They were awkwardly silent for a moment, both too scared to turn around.

"Drift?" Even with how quiet Scott’s voice was she could hear the scratchiness.

"And Cam." Cam seemed to fully give up on being quiet. "We didn't mean to wake you."

"It’s fine." A yawn cut Scott off, which Aurora seemed to have taken as an invitation to lick Scott's face.

"Oh of course." Cam puffed out his chest. “Are you hungry?"

Scott nodded his head, still seeming to be waking up. He really was a big fluffy bear, with his hair going every which way.

"Okay I'll get right on that." Cam turned to Drift. "Drift, can you get to it?"

Drift held her tongue she would normally tell Cam off but she just stuck with tugging on his ear.

"Wow." Cam scoffed. "You attack a prince! Scott, she attacked a prince!"

"You probably deserved it." Scott was resting his chin on the back of the couch, lazy watching Drift grab a pot of soup.

Cam scoffed, sitting down beside Scott. "I thought they fixed your narc-lap-sie or whatever."

Scott blinked at Cam, letting out a sigh. "Nacrolepsy can't be cured it can only be treated."

Drift glared a Cam over Scott's head.

"Oh sorry." Cam rubbed the back of his neck.

"No, it's fine." Scott let out a yawn fully letting his jaw fully open almost like a cat. "Sorry."

"You sure it worked, you were never this tired before." Drift left the pot letting it hang over the fire.

"Yeah it's just because it's after such a big attack." 

"The combat game?" Cam tilted his head.

"No, when I 'fainted' it’s called a cataplexy attack. They'll sometimes happen when I have low sleep and high emotions."

"Well if you ever need a prince, I’m used to catching beauties." Cam made eye contact with Scott, his brain seeming to catch up with himself. "Not that I find you beautiful, you're more handsome. I mean that in a totally straight way I like women."

Cam was tried to ignore his own blush, well not seeming too embarrassed. Scott was just staring at the man, his tired brain having to work extra hard to understand Cam, Which honestly who could understand him.

Scott's expression finally landed on a small smile with a soft blush gracing his face. "Thanks."

Drift leaned on Scott from her seat on the cough. "Do people not normal call you handsome?"

Scott let out a nervous laugh. "Noone other than Pyro was close in age to me."

"Mmh well." Drift Scott hand. "We have to make up for it then."

"Of course." Cam perked up from his seat. "You look so strong and tough."

Drift put a hand to her forehead. "Don't forget how quick and accurate he was in combat."

Scott stuttered on words that did even sound like anything.

"Don't forget how helpful he is." Cam also had a smile that took over his face. "With his teaching and ritual magic!"

"Guys." Scott covered his red face.

Aurora also purred almost like she was also complementing Scott too.

"Yeah and so kind." Drift looked directly at Scott, letting his voice fall into a more genuine tone. "He will be the thing that gets us out of a pinch one day."

Scott peered out from his hand scanning her face with an unreadable expression.

"Oh and don't forget he has big b-" 

"Okay okay I get it." Scott huffed, leaning more into Drift which she happily allowed him to especially with how cold the man was. 

“Yes well I’m also great.” Cam sat up puffing out his chest. “I won the jousting tournament in my town 5 times in a row…”

Drift let Cam's voice fall into the background focusing on Scott's face. At first most would guess he was pissed from his expression but she learned that it wasn’t that. 

She wasn’t as advanced as Pyro at reading what he was actually feeling but she could guess he was happy or at least content. It was cozy to be surrounded by friends and their dragons all piled on a cough together.

They didn't need Pyro especially if he was going to be an ass.