Gentle Giant

Leafy had never been particularly good at keeping his excitement to himself, and Apparition was proving to be no exception. The tiny dragon had been hovering around them for some time, his frilled fins fluttering as he circled their enormous head, occasionally darting away to investigate something before returning as though he'd suddenly remembered where he'd rather be. Apparition moved through the water with their usual unhurried grace, their long, dark body disappearing into the deeper blue behind them. Yellow markings and scattered, star-like specks shifted through the gloom whenever the light caught their scales.

Eventually, Leafy seemed to decide that simply hovering nearby wasn't quite enough. He approached Apparition's face, his tentacles reaching forward before curling gently around the ridges of their snout. He worked his way around their features, occasionally pausing to nuzzle against their scales, his little body pressing close wherever he could find a comfortable spot. His frills spread and fluttered with each movement, and he made a series of soft, cheerful clicks, seemingly quite content with himself. There was something rather endearing about the determination with which he went about it. Apparition was so impossibly large that Leafy could barely cover a fraction of their face, yet he seemed intent on making sure no part of it went without affection.

Apparition remained still, their attention fixed on the tiny creature exploring their face. A low, resonant sound rolled through the water, vibrating gently through the cavern. Leafy paused, his head turning towards them, before giving an enthusiastic little chitter and resuming his nuzzling. He curled one of his tentacles around the edge of their snout and pressed his cheek against them, holding there for a moment. It wasn't an accidental brush or a quick touch made out of curiosity. He was being affectionate, and he seemed quite determined that Apparition should know it.

After a while, Leafy finally backed away. His tentacles uncurled one by one, and he drifted backwards, fins fluttering as he regarded Apparition with an unmistakably pleased expression. He gave a little trill, his body bobbing in the water, and seemed quite satisfied with the attention he'd given them.

Apparition answered with a sudden, playful snort.

A circular ring of bubbles burst from their nostrils and drifted towards Leafy, expanding slightly as it travelled through the water. It was perfectly round, its delicate edges shimmering in the dim light. Leafy froze for half a moment, watching it approach, before his entire body seemed to light up with excitement. He darted forward, slipped neatly through its centre and emerged on the other side, his frills fluttering wildly.

He immediately turned around.

The ring continued drifting, and Leafy followed it, looping through the middle again before circling around its edge. His tentacles streamed behind him, occasionally curling as he twisted and turned, clearly delighted by the little game. Apparition made another series of low, musical notes, the sounds rising and falling through the water as they watched him.

Leafy responded with an enthusiastic flurry of clicks and trills. He made another pass through the bubbles, then swam back towards Apparition, seemingly eager to share his excitement rather than simply chase the ring away.

Apparition shifted their enormous head slightly, their attention following his movements. A second, smaller ring slipped from their nostrils, drifting lazily towards him.

Leafy was ready this time. He darted through it with a particularly enthusiastic twist, then circled back towards their face, his frills still spread wide. He settled against their snout once more, tentacles curling comfortably around the familiar features, and gave them a happy little nuzzle.

For all his adventurous curiosity, Leafy seemed to have found something he enjoyed more than discovering new things: returning to someone he liked.

Apparition answered with a deep, gentle rumble that travelled through the water around them. Their enormous body continued its slow movement through the cavern, but their attention remained with the tiny dragon nestled against their face.

Leafy, quite content with this arrangement, showed no intention of going anywhere.