You Were Supposed To Date The GRIFFON, Not Marry The DRAGON!

“Okay, get ready now. Because here. Comes. The plane.

Whrrr~

Aw, good job Junior! Uhp, you got a little oatmeal on ya. Here, let dear ol’ dad get that for you.”

Days off are just the best, you remind yourself. You wake up when you want to, lounge around the house to your heart’s content, and you get to spend time with the ones who really matter.

You sat at the kitchen table with your child, cleaning them of the little accident that happened when you decided to share your breakfast with them. Two napkin swipes is all it takes to make your kid presentable again. It was such a small act, but it’s enough to have you beam with fatherly pride.

You know, initially, you weren’t sure you were cut out for it. The whole being a parent thing. But now, after ample time had passed for you to settle mentally into the role, you feel confident enough to do a somewhat decent job. You’ve heard all sorts of horror stories regarding couples stuck with problem children, but so far Junior has been nothing but an absolute delight!

“Look at you,” you coo at Junior. “Spick and span, my little man. Or, uh… girl. You know, I still don’t know which you’ll--”

“Uh… what are you doing?”

Looks like someone had finally crawled out of bed. You turn to your side and discover Ember standing within the door frame, her arms crossed and her usual scowl evident on her face. Like you she was in her bed garments, only hers consisted of a black set of panties with a matching T-shirt that had the words ‘Princess’ on it, the latter being a gag gift you got for her shortly after she got comfortable wearing pony clothing.

“Mornin’, Ember,” you greet cheerfully. “Come and pop a squat with us. I’ve already fixed you a plate."

Ember remains still, choosing instead to fix you an odd stare. "What are you doing?" she repeats.

"Uh, offering you breakfast?" you answer. "Look, I know it's not your usual omel--" You stop yourself short, quickly covering Junior's ears before continuing. "Omelette. It's not your usual omelette, but this is just as good. I felt I had to prepare something else for us, something that wouldn't upset Junior, seeing as they're, you know... an--"

"An egg," Ember finished dispassionately. The dragoness shuts her eyes and takes in a deep breath. Her shoulders rise as she does so, and they don't fall to rest until after she exhales. "Slayer," she said pointedly, her eyes opening to lock you in their sights. "When I ask you what you are doing, what I mean is: why are you talking to an egg?"

You find that a strange question, and thus you raise your brow curiously as you deliver your reply.

"Uh, because Junior is our kid. Why wouldn't I?"

Furrowing her brow, Ember raises her hands up to her head. "It's. An egg," she asserts, coincidentally mimicking the Syndrome 'You dense motherfucker' meme with near perfect accuracy. "It hasn't hatched yet, so why are you being all mushy with it?"

"Hey," you argue, scooting closer to Junior's high chair and wrapping your arm around your round, smooth kid. "I take offense to that on both of our behalf. Granted, I fear getting up one groggy morning only to discover that I've made the horrendous mistake of cracking Junior over an open skillet--hence why I switched to oatmeal today--but the fact that that thought terrified me shows that they're more than just an egg. Being a parent is a blessing, Ember, and so we should cherish every moment we have with Junior, even if they're still in their shell."

"That's stupid," Ember huffs. "Also, 'Junior,' that's stupid too! Where was I when it was decided that that would be its name, because I sure don't remember being invited!" She slapped her hand on the other's open palm. "No. Our kid is not going to have a ridiculous name. You and I are gonna sit down, and we're gonna settle on a powerful, intimating name, but only after it's hatched. Until then just... just stop talking to it! It weirds me out!"

"What? Is it because dragons don't do that?" you mock with a roll of your eyes, poorly imitating Ember's voice.

Ember crosses her arms again, her tail thumping against the floor angrily as she glowers at you. "N-no. I wasn't going to say that," she insists, the scales around her cheeks turning red. She tries to hold a brave front, but it isn't long before she immediately drops it. "Wh-whatever. I don't know what oatmeal is, but it better be just as good as omelettes as you say it is."

"Can't promise that it'll take your taste buds on an adventure, but it's breakfast," you say with a shrug as Ember storms into the seat right next to you.

You spend the next minute in amusement as Ember stares hesitantly at the soggy mush she scooped up with a spoon. It's difficult to tell if her thoughts are of curiosity or disgust, but right as you're about to offer to make her something else, she surprises you by bringing the spoon to her waiting mouth.

"Well?" you ask curiously.

Ember stares dead ahead, her expression thoughtful while she thoroughly chews. She soon swallows, then seconds later she shrugs lightly. "It's fine. Is there fruit and cinnamon in this?"

"That and a sprinkle of brown sugar," you add. "Anything to make it less bland."

"Mm," she hums in acknowledgment before quietly returning to the oatmeal.

Feeling content with yourself that Ember found your little offering acceptable, you return to cleaning off your own bowl. The next few minutes are spent in mutual silence, the clinking of silverware being the only distraction from your enjoyment of Ember's company. It was almost a shame that you had to ruin it, however, as you had something on your mind for a while that you felt compelled to voice.

"So uh, have you decided yet?" you ask.

"Too early for a name, Slayer," she mutters around her mouthful of oatmeal.

"Not talking about that," you say, shaking your head. "I'm talking about the, uh... Well you know... We talked about it a week ago..."

Ember doesn't spare you a glance as she continues to dig into her breakfast. "You're gonna have to be more specific. We talked about a lot of things a week ago."

Either she's avoiding the topic or she really has no clue what you're talking about. She can be pretty self-centered at times, so it could go either way, really.

Being left with no choice, you decide to get straight to brass tacks, albeit hesitantly. "Remember. You said you would consider it. ...I brought it up when we were in the bathtub together."

Ember's spoon slips from her fingers, it clinking violently as it hits the table. She stares forward with wide eyes, speechless, and for a second you think she might be choking on her food.

"You know what!" she spouts, suddenly turning to you. There's a look of crazed desperation in her eyes as she then speaks. "Let's decide on a name for the egg now! Who knows, I might settle on a stupid one you'll suggest!"

Less than enthusiastic by her reaction, you cross your arms and lean back in your chair. "Ember..." you all but growl.

"What?" she protests. "Let's decide on a name now. It's better than discussing doing that with... with her."

"Ember, you said you'd consider it," you say under your breath, rubbing the area between your brows.

Ember is clearly frustrated, something made obvious by her tail writhing against the chair legs, her wings extending midway before folding back, and the excessive hand gestures she makes as she talks. "Y-yeah, well, I thought it over just now! And I don't wanna do it! Not again! Once was enough!"

"Once?" you echo, looking at Ember scrupulously. You take a second to pick your next words carefully, then, once you have them, go on the attack. "Ember, I like you, love you even. I know it, and at this point I think you know it too. But I kind of have the same feelings for Gabby. I don't have a single shred of regret over what you and I built here together, but because you forced yourself into my life, you kind of prevented Gabby from being closer in mine.

Were Gabby a different kind of griffon, she would have challenged you long ago and that would have been the end for either one of you, but she's too polite for that. You force her to sit on the sidelines because you keep her at arm's length from me, and despite that she's been nothing but nice to you. When you suggested inviting Gabby into our bedroom last time, I was overjoyed. I remember thinking 'Hey, maybe Ember's finally opening up to her. This is amazing!'

But no, things weren't amazing as they could have been. You kept me all to myself, forcing poor Gabby to just sit there and watch the entire time. What, was the only reason you invited her at all was so you could flex on her? That's kind of mean-spirited Ember, even for you."

That seemed to have struck some kind of nerve, as Ember sank in her chair, crossed her arms, and turned away from you. Seeing this, you decide to simmer down a tad before your passion gets the better of you.

"Look, I know this is a weird, bizarro situation and it's something you dragons possibly never encountered. But... it's just not fair. Not to Gabby, and not to me. Ember..." You place your hand on her knee. "Do you, like, hate her or something? Is that what it is?"

"Hate her?" Ember says, still facing away from you. "Why would I hate her? So what if she's some dopey bird that e-everyone likes, and I-I'm..." Ember sniffs, and the tone of her voice shifts to one that makes a weight drop in your chest. She turns to you, and to your alarm you see tears running down her cheeks. "I'm just the mean lizard that everyone hates and avoids..."

Oh no. Now you've gone and done it. You're shocked; this was something entirely new. You didn't think Ember's brain was physically capable of expressing this kind of emotion, and yet there it is. You're wracked with guilt for having her feel like this.

"Oh Ember, baby," you sooth, moving in to console her. You wrap your arms around her, and she instantly returns the favor. Her horn jabs at the side of your neck as she rests her head on your chin, but no matter.

"I don't hate her," Ember sobs. "It's just... I... I don't know. L-look at me, I'm crying. Dragons don't--dragons don't cry."

"One step at a time," you assure her, patting and rubbing her back. "Deeep breaths now. C'mon."

Ember focuses on breathing, her breath slowly getting less and less unstable as seconds tick by. Before long Ember tries again, seeming to have a better handle on it.

"I don't hate Gabby," she says. "It's just... I don't know. I want to like her, but I'm just... afraid, I guess. I'm afraid that if I allow you to be close with her in that way then that somehow completes the full package for you and you won't need me anymore. I don't think you've noticed, but I'm not exactly like other girls."

"Earth-shattering news, but I think I'll survive from this revelation," you laugh.

"Shut up," she laughs back, slapping you on the side with her tail.

"I'm not trying to replace you with her," you reassure Ember. "This would be an addition to what we have--nothing is being lost. You'll always be my big blue grump lizard."

Ember tightens her hold on you and she nuzzles her head deeper into your neck. She's cheered up, even if it's just a little bit. That's good.

"But listen," you start. "If it really bothers you that much, we can just forget it. Gabby's content with out current arrangement, so I just have to--"

"No." Ember separates herself from you and looks you dead in the eyes. "You were right: I'm not being fair to either of you. Dragon's aren't known for sharing, but from what I hear, neither are griffons. If she's willing to give this a shot, then... then I won't let her outshine me. You can invite her over later tonight and this time I'll... I'll make more of an effort."

You didn't expect this outcome, but it wasn't unwelcomed.

"You know, you are being a very thoughtful sourpuss today," you say, planting a quick kiss on her lips. "Just think, if this works out, not only will we benefit, but so will Junior. Junior already likes her so much, and soon the two of them will get to spend even more time together."

Ember cocks her head to the side, a quizzical expression on her face. "Uh, it's an egg. How can it like anything?"

To that you smirk at Ember, then turn your head to the egg in the high chair.

"Oh hey Gabby! So glad you can watch Junior again!" you say out loud.

To Ember's visual surprise, Junior rocks to and fro excitedly in its seat.

"Bullshit," Ember objects. "You're definitely doing that!"

Expecting that kind of response, you grin from ear to ear as you hold out your open hands to Ember, revealing to her that there is no conceivable way for you to be moving Junior. Ember blinks, her face contorted into one of bewilderment as her eyes move between your hands and the egg.

"Even so, it could just be sound it's reacting to!" she proposes.

Your grin turning lopsided, you turn to Junior's direction and utter a phrase that puts her theory to rest.

"Oh, wait. Never mind. It's just mommy."

Junior immediately stops, and Ember's jaw drops.

You rap your hands on your knees in triumph, then take both bowls off the table and get up.

"Love you~" you say, planting a kiss on Ember's head. With victory claimed, you whistle a little tune to yourself as you head toward the sink.

Now that you've gotten the go-ahead, tonight was going to be a very interesting night indeed.