After staying in their embrace for a little while, something clicked inside Aeron as he realized something. " Wait, does your father know about this place? "
Starfania's heart sank at the realization–her father hadn't set foot in place since… since the tragic departure of her dear mother. She shook her head slowly, her thoughts racing.
"No, he doesn't. It's been years since he wanted anything to do with this part of our lives," she admitted. The memories flooded back, images of laughter and warmth, of her mother's smile brightening every corner of the hidden sanctuary. Now, it felt like a ghost of what once was. Aeron watched her, the weight of the silence pressing heavily between them.
"What if he found out?" he asked gently, trying to gauge her reaction. The thought alone made Starfania shiver.
"I don't know how he'd react. He's so lost in his own grief. I don't want to bring up old wounds," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. They took a moment, standing together in the quiet serenity of the secret garden, lost in their thoughts. Aeron wanted to comfort her, to tell her it would be alright. But the uncertainty loomed like a dark cloud over them. How could they share this beautiful place when it was tied up in a past that was so painful?
Soon Violet's laughter echoed through the garden, her voice filled with joy as she played alongside the dragons, Atlas and Drogo. Her carefree movements brought a smile to her face, a reminder of the innocent we were all trying to protect. Starfania sank onto the soft grass, her eyes drawn to the boundless expanse of the sky above. Aeron followed suit, laying down beside her. Together, they watched the clouds drift lazily across the heavens, their elegant shapes painting a picture of peace. The warm embrace of the heat bathed them, and the harmonious song of birds wove through the air.
Aeron found himself completely captivated by Starfania's beauty as her hair danced with the breeze, cascading like silk over grass. Her radiant smile illuminated her face, and her dark, fathomless eyes seemed to hold the secret of the universe. She was mesmerizing, and in her presence, the world seemed to pause. The only sound Aeron could hear was the steady, thunderous beating of his heart. As a wave of warmth washed over him, and deep down, he knew he had always been falling for Starfania. Every moment spent with her felt like a gift, an escape from the ordinary. The way she laughed, light and carefree, brought a smile to his lips even in the toughest of times. They shared countless afternoons exploring the nearby woods, where sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting golden patterns on the ground.
Each shared glance and fleeting touch ignited a spark between them, something undeniable and profound. Aeron cherished the way she listened, her attention unwavering as he shared his dreams and fears. It was as if she recognized the magic in his words, carefully weaving her own stories into the conversation, creating a tapestry of shared moments. In those quiet exchanges, their souls seemed to intertwine, and Aeron felt a deep connection that transcended mere friendship. But with each passing day, a fierce longing grew within him, a desire to confess the feelings he had tucked away. It scared him. The thought of risking what they had built. Yet the allure of her presence pulled him closer, urging him to step away from the safety of silence. He often found himself daydreaming about a future together, full of laughter and adventures, where they could explore the depths of their bond. As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Aeron knew he had to make a choice. Would he keep his heart guarded, or would? He finally reveals his truth?
As Starfania sat up, Atlas leaned in and rested his head on her leg. She reached out to pet him, her fingers brushing against the intricate texture of his scales, cool yet comforting. Violet and Aeron sat upright nearby, soaking in the peaceful ambiance of the garden. Suddenly, Violet broke the calm, grinning mischievously as she whispered something to Aeron that made him laugh in surprise. Without warning, she winked at him, snatched Starfania headscarf, and darted off. Caught off guard, Starfania laughed, and said, " Oh, so that's how it's going to be? "
Atlas lifted his head from Starfania's lap, sensing the change in energy, and stood up when she did. With a shared understanding, they both pursued Violet through the garden, her playful squeals echoing in the air. The chase was exhilarating, weaving through the overgrown paths as if they were kids again, joined by the boundless joy of a dragon.
Atlas ran alongside Starfania with surprising agility, his four legs moving in sync as though he were part of the game. The sound of their laughter mixed with Violet's delighted shrieks, creating a symphony of pure bliss. Just as she thought she'd outmaneuvered her, Starfania cornered her, grinning triumphantly.
" Got you now! " Starfania said, unleashing her secret weapon: a merciless tickle attack. Violet shrieked with laughter, pleading for mercy, but there would be none. Atlas joined the fun, nudging her playfully with his snout. Not to be left out, Drogo bounded over and contributed his own clumsy attempts at tickling with his enormous wings. It was utter chaos–pure, unbridled joy. Between her fits of giggle, Violet cried out, " Aeron, help us! We're being tickled to death! "
But Aeron simply stood at a distance, arms crossed and shaking his head, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
" Some knight you are! " Starfania said, out of breath but grinning. He rolled his eyes, muttering, " I knew you'd say that, " before turning to find a quiet spot to escape our antics.
" Buzzkill! " Violet and Starfania chorused, giggling even harder as Atlas let out a playful rumble that seemed to echo their sentiments.
The dragon ceased their playful antics, their attention shifting to Aeron with curious intensity. As they all turned towards him, a mischievous glint in their eyes, he instinctively began to back away. Step by step, he retreaded until he was pressed against the garden's stone wall. The first gentle nudge came from Drogo, his snout brushing Aeron's side with surprising delicacy. Atlas followed, wingtip grazing Aeron's ribs. Within seconds, Aeron was at the mercy of a full-on dragon tickle attack. Before long, they were all engaged in the most chaotic and hilarious tickling battle imaginable. Aeron squirmed and protested between fits of laughter, and they collapsed onto the soft grass one by one. Breathless and giddy, they lay sprawled on the garden floor, sharing quiet chuckles and a sense of unity that was impossible to put into words.