#okhema

“Hold still, little one,” you murmured, trying to keep the squirming Chimera calm as you carefully examined its leg. You’d just finished treating the small creature’s injury, but now it was proving to be quite a handful. “You’re lucky this is just a scrape.”

Suddenly, with a burst of energy, the Chimera wriggled free from your grip, scampering off across the cobbled marketplace.

“Oh no!” You cursed under your breath, abandoning your medical bag and chasing after it. The little creature darted between stalls, zigzagging through the crowd as if it knew exactly where it was going.

As you pursued the elusive critter, you saw someone ahead—a tall, quiet figure observing the market customs from the side. Dan Heng, of course, you thought to yourself. Always in the background, always observing, and never fully immersed in the chaos of the world around him.

But today, it seemed, he was about to become an unwilling part of it.

The Chimera, in its frantic sprint, leapt up onto a nearby stall and straight into Dan Heng's path, climbing up his leg with all the grace of a creature that had clearly done this before. Dan Heng’s eyes widened in shock as the Chimera made its way up to his shoulder and disappeared beneath his coat with a loud, startled scream. The sound echoed through the marketplace, and a few heads turned in surprise.

It was then that you finally caught up to him, panting lightly. “I am so, so sorry!” you apologized, reaching up to gently pull at the hem of Dan Heng's coat, trying to pry the Chimera out. “It’s a mischievous little thing, I swear.”

Dan Heng froze, clearly flustered, his face turning slightly pale as his hand instinctively went to his coat. “What—?” His voice barely escaped in his usual calm, collected tone, but it was evident he was taken by surprise.

You chuckled nervously, the Chimera making small noises inside Dan Heng’s coat, clearly content in its new hiding spot. “You’re a good sport about this,” you said softly, trying to avoid eye contact. “They’re just... really excitable.”

The Chimera, apparently sensing the calm, poked its little head out from beneath the coat’s folds. It gave a small squeak and looked up at Dan Heng with big, wide eyes. It was hard not to feel an immediate connection with such an adorable creature, even if it was causing chaos.

Meanwhile, the Trailblazer stood off to the side, the camera in hand, recording the entire scene with a bemused grin. “This is going to make for great footage,” they muttered to themselves, already planning the inevitable teasing later.

With a bit of careful maneuvering, you finally coaxed the Chimera back into your arms. Dan Heng let out a sigh of relief, though his cheeks were faintly flushed. "I... was not expecting that," he admitted, his usual stoic demeanor cracked for a moment.

"I'm sorry again," you said with a sheepish smile, your hand awkwardly brushing your hair. "This little one does have a tendency to escape."

You both fell into a quiet moment, the commotion of the marketplace fading around you. You stood just a little too close, the air thick with the lingering scents of the day, yet there was something unspoken between you. A subtle, unacknowledged recognition.

Without thinking, you inhaled deeply, your instincts flaring—your draconic senses picking up on something unexpected. The air smelled... comforting. There was something familiar about it, though you couldn't quite place it. Dan Heng, for his part, was standing a bit too still, though you noticed his eyes flickering toward you briefly, before darting away.

His gaze met yours once more, this time a little longer, and you both seemed to freeze in place for just a second.

Dan Heng’s thoughts mirrored your own. There was something... strangely comforting about your presence. You smelled... like something familiar. Like home. His heart, however, did not want to acknowledge this feeling, so he let his gaze shift away once more, but his mind lingered on the inexplicable sensation.

Meanwhile, the Trailblazer, ever the observant one, tilted their head, watching the subtle exchange between the two of you. "Uh... are you two really sniffing each other out in public?" they asked, voice filled with unrestrained amusement. "In front of my camera?!"

Both you and Dan Heng jerked your heads in unison toward the Trailblazer, suddenly realizing what was happening. You both tried, and failed, to suppress the faint blush creeping up your necks.

"It's not—" You stammered. "We weren't—"

"Shush," Dan Heng muttered, looking as cool and detached as always, though there was an edge to his voice that made you both know he was flustered too.

The Trailblazer only smirked, clearly enjoying the moment. "You two are so obvious. You know that, right?"

You looked back at Dan Heng, your heart suddenly racing. This was the first time you'd allowed yourself to notice the way your dragon instincts were reacting to another. Yet, the more you stood there, the more you realized how similar you were. Both of you hiding behind false facades, both carrying burdens from a past you'd rather forget.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, you both shifted your gaze away, pretending the moment had never happened. The Chimera in your arms squeaked, its small horns twitching in the breeze as it tilted its head at you curiously, as if it, too, had sensed the connection.

"Well," you murmured softly, your voice barely a whisper. "It looks like you're okay now, little one."

Dan Heng nodded, his stoic expression slowly returning, but there was something different about him now. The distance between you both had shifted. And for the first time in a long while, both of you could sense the quiet bond forming between you.

Once the Imperator formally took over Okhema the rumors of her spouse spread like wildfire. The whispers between the streets were louder than ever.

"Have you heard of the Imperators secret lover?"

"I heard it was merely a political marriage."

"Well I heard the Imperator manipulated their lover into marriage just to curry favor with Okhema."

"No way, surely our Imperator marries for love."

"She's not in love with her spouse she's in love with her guard."

You couldn't claim that the rumors didn't grate on your nerves at times, that would simply be a lie. But to say its all you thought about would be wrong too.

I mean how could you think of anything else but your lover when she was sat right next to you in the bath chambers?

Her hair so adorably tied up and pined into place, like a flower atop her head. And the small wings protruding from her back started to curl around her body almost shyly.

"Stop staring." she muttered, a slight blush creeping over her features, not due to the water's temperature.

"I just can't help it my dear." you smile gently in response, fondness swelling in your heart. It was always nice to remember the effect you had on such a strong woman.

She huffed, turning her head away, but not before you saw the way her lips twitched upward in a barely-contained smile. That pride of hers was so carefully controlled in public, but those walls had long fallen between the two of you.

"torturing royalty is a serious offense you know." Cerydra remarked seriously, a slight pout settling on her lips.

"Oh my sincerest apologies yo-," you only get half-way through the words before a sweet grape is gently pressed into your mouth. You raise your eyebrows in question only for her to respond without looking up at you.

"You have not eaten all day." She breathes out in a small huff before continuing, "You must take care of yourself better."

It was both a way to get you to stop flustering her and her general concern coming out all at once. Although most people would never guess, the Imperator is a very loving wife. Despite the heavy demand that comes with a throne she still tries to take care of your every need.

"Are the rumors bothering you?" On a normal day she would suppress her more caring side when out in public. She did have a reputation to maintain after all.

Her head settled gently against your shoulder, it was easy due to the height difference, "No. It is more the fear of what they may bring."

Your smile took on a more bittersweet look, "Let them talk, the present is what is important after all."

A smooth hand traced the curve of your jaw on one side , guiding your eyes to her cerulean ones, "Just let me take care of you." The words where so tender and gentle. Like a soft summer breeze, quite as if you would break have the words been any louder.

In her eyes there was something pleading, as if she knew the present wouldn't last long, if you looked long enough you would surely catch the subtle gleam of tears.

"Of course my dear." You whispered back, pressing a faint kiss to her cheek. A promise that you were there. That you were hers.

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