"Trying to escape little snake" said the dragon king. "Did you really think I would let you go that easily"
Tightening his hand on the robe beside heart little snake narrowed his eyes at the dragon.
"You..." He spoke through pain. "What have you d...
As Little Snake stepped out, he saw the Dragon King leaning against a pillar just outside the door, arms crossed, watching him.
"Old Dragon, I thought I told you not to follow me" Little Snake said, narrowing his eyes.
"And I thought you were just going for a walk" the Dragon King countered smoothly.
"I just came to walk around the palace" Little Snake muttered, glancing away. Then, as if nothing had happened, he smiled and said, "Let's go. I'm hungry." Without waiting for a response, he grabbed the Dragon King's arm and tugged him forward.
The Dragon King looked back, meeting Ye Dingzhi's gaze as the Demon King stepped out. Ye Dingzhi raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. The Dragon King said nothing and turned his attention back to Little Snake. He could sense a shift in him, his usual cheerfulness seemed forced, his grip unusually firm.
Still, the Dragon King let him pull him along. "Let's go" he said.
After they returned to the mansion, Little Snake clung to the Dragon King, refusing to let go for even a moment.
"Are you planning to stick to me all afternoon?" the Dragon King asked, taking a sip of tea with some difficulty since Little Snake was curled up in his lap, his face buried in his neck. "What about sword practice? You even read some scrolls today. Didn't you learn anything you want to try?"
Little Snake let out a quiet sigh, snuggling even closer. "Not today."
The Dragon King's expression darkened slightly. "I never told you about my past because I knew it would upset you. And I was right."
Little Snake lifted his head to look at him and sighed. "Eavesdropping is a bad habit, you know."
"I didn't, I just heart it and you left like you were going to war" the Dragon King said. "I was worried."
Little Snake muttered under his breath, "You're stupid."
The Dragon King raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"You sacrificed too much" Little Snake said, his expression unreadable. "And for what? Just to be hated?"
The Dragon King's steps slowed. "It was my choice" he said simply. "And I don't regret it. Not even for a second."
"Are you still in pain?" Little Snake asked with concern.
"Not anymore" the Dragon King said, giving Little Snake a kiss on the forehead. "My dragon scales have already started to grow back. In about 1,400 years, they'll be as good as before."
"That's so long" Little Snake said.
"Not for a dragon" the Dragon King said. "And now I have you by my side," he added, squeezing Little Snake's chin, making him giggle.
"Yes, you do" Little Snake said, leaning in to steal a kiss.
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