Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Chapter Text
Shrimp wasn’t very good at many things.
He wished he could be. Participated in as many hunts as possible, asking other dragons to teach him how to fight, even skipped out on mealtimes in to practise more.
But it never seemed to be enough for his family.
No matter how many seals he caught, fights won, and exams passed, he was never moved up the rankings. There was one, glorious moment, after he had spotted an intruding SeaWing and reported it back, that he got moved up. But never again.
“Shrimp!”
He jolted out of his thoughts at the barked order of his name, standing up straight in the uncomfortable position of what is known as the IceWing guard stance.
“What are you dreaming about this time, worm?” demanded the captain, spike ruff rising up.
“Nothing, sir.” Shrimp lowered his eyes submissively, struggling to hold a steady tone.
The other dragonets in the line next to him quietly sniggered at his expense. A sharp glare from the captain quickly hushed their laughter.
Returning his attention to Shrimp, the captain regarded him with disdain.
“If you aren’t dreaming then, why aren’t you in the correct stance?” he snarled at the small dragonet.
Shrimp shrunk into himself, trying to squeak out a second apology, when he was struck across the snout with the captain’s sharp, raking claws.
He bit back a whimper, awaiting the rest of his punishment.
“Anything to say for yourself, parasite?” asked the captain in a scathing tone.
Shrimp kept quiet; he knew that nothing he said could lessen the outcome, only make it worse. He pulled his wings closer to his thin body, wrapping his tail around his legs. No point holding the stance any longer, he was already going to be punished for his mistakes.
After a loaded thirty seconds of silence, the captain ordered, “Stand outside. Guard position. I’ll meet you out there once I’m done with the rest of this group.”
“Yes sir,” Shrimp walked outside the crystalline room, before sitting next to the door and moving his body into position.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
His neck ached from holding it an arched position for so long, his shoulders screaming their own protest. He can’t stop. If the captain catches him with anything less than perfect, his punishment will for sure be doubled.
Just as he thought he couldn’t hold it any longer, the captain came through the doorway.
“Alright, you rat, I want this done with quickly, I have better things to do with my time.” He spoke with an air of disgust, as if he’d rather be anywhere but here.
Shrimp didn’t respond, well used to the routine of punishments.
“Hold out your wing,” the captain ordered.
A shaky wing was outstretched.
The captain ran his claws over the wing, until he found a group of larger, defined scales on the arm rather than webbing. One by one, he picked them off, leaving bright red patches of raw skin behind, bleeding from their roots.
How many is he going to take? Shrimp thought to himself, trying to block out the pain. This will take awhile to heal.
After some long, agonising minutes, the captain stood back, ordering Shrimp to regain his position.
“That will be all for today. Dismissed.”
Shrimp gave a short nod, waiting until the captain was out of sight to relax his limbs and examine his fresh wounds. Pulling his wing around, he could see the skin was already getting inflamed, red and puffy. The blood was drying in the crevasses of the skin, creating a sticky feeling whenever he moved. Shrimp sighed. He’d have to take a dip in the freezing cold waters to wash this off properly, there was no way he’d get clearance for warm water for treating the consequence of his punishment.
Oh well. At least it wasn’t too bad today. he thought to himself, feeling thankful.
He lifted his head, scanning the surrounding area for the path to the sea. Once spotted, he straightened up, and pulled his wings close. Wouldn’t want a second punishment today.
A few names are thrown at him as he passes other IceWings, but nothing out of the ordinary. None of them hurt much, after hearing them for so many years.
Finally, he reaches the sea. The cold wind pushes him away, as if the sea itself does not want him. Shrimp holds his breath, bracing himself as he stretches his wing into the water. The cold chill runs up his arm, shocking him into releasing his breath. As he moves his wing around in the water, Shrimp can’t help but look at his reflection. His stupid, stupid reflection. He feels cursed, in a way, forced to look in such a way in a cruel world of unforgiveness. His light pink scales glare back at him, the circular markings on his face and the webbings of his wing haunt him.
Some days, he wished that when his scales were picked off by his superiors, that they’d grow back a more acceptable colour, like blue, or maybe a purple. Shrimp always liked how the ice castle looked with its hundreds of different shades, ranging all the way from reddish orange in the morning, to blue in the day, purple as it fades to night.
His wing was starting to go numb, so he pulled it out of the water. Time to face his peers at dinner, he supposed.
As he walked, the numbness in his wings faded, bringing back a slow ache.
Entering the hall, he was immediately met with a couple names thrown at him, with some additional pieces of fish guts.
Shrimp ignored them, as per usual. Grabbed his own tray of fish for tonight, and returned to his small spot in the corner.
He closed his eyes as he chewed, trying to block out the hateful words of his peers.
“Freak!”
“Loser!”
“Mutant!”
It was the same as any night. It was the same as every night.
He couldn’t take it anymore.
Shrimp stood up, and rushed out of the hall, trying not to let tears fall from his eyes. He didn’t know when he started running, but soon he made it to the sea ice on the edge of the land.
Finally, he let his tears fall, his chest heaving as he sobbed as hard as he could.
He didn’t want to be who he was. He hated his scales. He wanted them gone. He hated them so much. Why did he have to be like this? Why couldn’t he just be perfect?
Everything felt muted as he reached for a scale on his front leg, talons shaking.
“Hello!”
Chapter 2: Chapter 2
Summary:
Shrimp has a conversation with this mysterious new dragon, prompting unwanted thoughts.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Shrimp jumped back with a yelp; who was that?
A blue head wearing a curious expression floated in the water, looking up, well, no, at him. This dragon seemed to be a bit bigger than him.
“I’m Seal!” said the other dragon cheerfully. “What’s your name?”
“I- I’m Shrimp,” he shakily introduced himself. “Sorry, but uh, what are you?”
The other dragon blinked.
“Oh! Right! Tribes are important to land dragons,” he seemed to be reminding himself of this. “I’m a hybrid of SandWing and SeaWing!”
Now it was Shrimp’s turn to blink in surprise. A hybrid? Now that was unusual.
“What are you doing in the Ice Kingdom?” And how did you get past the Great Ice Cliff? Shrimp wanted to ask desperately, but had to keep the tribes’ secrets.
“Oh I just swim around heaps!” replied Seal happily. “I don’t usually talk to other dragons, but you seem interesting! I’ve never seen a pink dragon up here before.”
Shrimp wanted the ice underneath him to open up and swallow him. Of course, this dragon was only interested in him for his colour. Although… this dragon seemed interested in a positive way, not with disgust like everyone else.
Oh- they wanted a response from him. Shrimp cursed internally, and opened his mouth to answer, before Seal beat him to it.
“It’s nice to see someone else who is different,” Seal commented, “normal dragons are mean!”
Mean? Shrimp thought to himself, They aren’t mean. They are right. I am wrong. All they’re doing is helping me.
Talons and tails! Seal was looking at him expectantly, he had stayed quiet too long.
New topic, Shrimp decided.
“Do you have a tail barb?” Best to get information first, as his superiors have always taught him.
Seal seemed delighted to answer this question about himself, and eagerly responded, “Nope! No fire either.”
He’s just… giving away information?
“My glowscales only work on my face, front legs and wings too.” Seal continued, “Can’t speak Aquatic fluently.”
He seemed to quiet for a moment, before Shrimp prompted, “What’s Aquatic?”
Now it was Seal’s turn to be confused.
“Is this another land dragon thing…?” he quietly mused, before answering, “It’s how SeaWings talk to each other underwater. Just light up some scales to make a word. This–” he lit up two of his face scales, one on each side, the first ones along his nose. “–means hello.”
“That’s so interesting!” Shrimp exclaimed, having never thought much about how SeaWings lived underwater.
“Can you show me some more?” he asked tentatively.
“Of course!” Seal grinned.
The ice around them was periodically lit up with light blue as Seal taught Shrimp about his limited aquatic abilities. Over there – bottom scale closest to paw on leg depending on which leg was used to point. Food – the first four scales on his muzzle. Danger – rapidly flashing the wing patterns.
The list went on and on as the two learnt about each other, late into the afternoon.
Eventually, the sun started to dip below the freezing waters, and Shrimp had to leave.
“Oh, okay.” Seal seemed surprised at the fact that Shrimp needed to be somewhere, but waved him off with a cheerful smile.
“Can I see you tomorrow?” he yelled at Shrimp’s retreating form, a hurried afterthought.
“Yeah!” Shrimp called back, a smile touching at his face, feeling like it was his first time doing so.
As he walked off towards the castle of ice, a feeling of dread settled upon his shoulders, twofold what he’d ever felt before.
He half wanted to go back to Seal, instead of turning in for the night’s circle rankings.
No, he told himself sternly, it’s mandatory.
Nothing had changed.
So why did he feel like going back into the halls of the castle was equal to being found by a NightWing?
Shrimp lowered his head, letting out a long sigh.
This is too much, I just need to follow my moons-damned orders. I should never have spoken to that dragon!
A huff of warm air rushed out of his nostrils as he stewed over these new, traitorous thoughts that the hybrid had instilled in him.
But soon enough, he was at the courtyard, ready for the ceremony.
He watched as Queen Glacier glossed over his name, as if it didn’t exist.
It was the same every day. How could it change? No dragon could change their scales.
Shrimp glanced down to his side, at the wing missing some scales. He pulled them closer to his body as he quickly looked back up at the Gift of Order.
He held himself tightly for a few seconds, letting out a breath as he realized no one noticed. In the corner of his eye, he could see a younger dragonet watching the sunset off in the distance.
I should alert the captain.
The dragonet was misbehaving, it was every IceWing’s duty to ensure that all dragons in the tribe were up to standard.
So why was he hesitating?
Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do?
He wrestled with his thoughts, before a call jolted him out of his mind.
The ceremony’s over.
I suppose it can wait for tomorrow.
Notes:
tada!!!!!!!!!
i am so excited to hear your thoughts on this chapter!!!! i am loving how easy it is to write after having actually PLANNED the story lol.
(please let me know ur thoughts in the comments, i need them)(need)
Chapter 3: APRIL FOOLS!!
Summary:
SHRIMP GETS APRIL FOOELD
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
couldnt figure out how to do images so
https://www.tumblr.com/abby-wolf/779598951242514432/tw-flashing-april-fools?source=share
Notes:
HE GETS EXPLODED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KABOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
seal doesnt get exploded cuz i can't reach him underwater :(I DONT KNOW WHY THE FIRST CHAPTER NOTES ARE HERE TOO
Chapter 4: Chapter Three
Summary:
Training!
Then researching!
Then difficult-to-write dialogue!
Notes:
okiii so this chapter got longer than i expected but that's okay!! my goal was 2000 words and its a lil longer than that but im really happy with it!!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
The next morning, as the sun was just rising over the horizon, Shrimp and some fellow adolescent IceWings were training their battle skills. Skirmishes were happening left and right, bright blue blood dotting the snow.
Shrimp looked at his opponent opposite him, breathing heavily. He had gotten a lot of hits in, but not without taking his own fair share. He’d unfortunately nabbed a cut on his wing membrane, so he’d have to stitch that up later.
A shrill whistle cut through the crisp morning air, signalling all the trainees to stop.
The greenish blue IceWing across from Shrimp seemed disappointed, but nevertheless lowered his claws and positioned himself into the guard stance; Shrimp did the same.
The captain walked through the pairs, giving a nod to those who seemed to be up to standard. As he passed Shrimp, the pink IceWing could feel the scorn burning off the older dragon.
I wasn’t good enough again.
What did he do wrong this time? Was it because he slipped on that rock? He dodged the hit though? I suppose it didn’t matter. Useless as per usual.
But Seal liked me, a traitorous part of his mind whispered.
He shoved that thought deep down for later, he had to pay attention.
Polar had won his fight; that was nothing new, he was usually Shrimp’s biggest competitor.
Vole was bleeding a lot, with large claw-marks on his belly. He was always losing his fights; didn’t bother training for them, yet he usually didn’t get any flack for it.
Shrimp supressed a snort of annoyance, it wasn’t fair that Vole could get away with anything because he was the nephew of the queen’s brother!
He looked back at the captain, who seemed to be in the middle of his ‘inspirational’ speech. It didn’t seem all that great to Shrimp, but who was he to judge? He was only a dragonet, no matter how hard he trained. And I’m pink, too. He thought miserably.
“Dismissed!” the captain bellowed, glaring at the dragonets.
Shrimp hurriedly stood and joined the mass leaving the training arena, wondering where he’d spend his afternoon.
That Seal dragon hadn’t stopped plaguing his mind, he cursed him for distracting him throughout his lessons.
I could’ve won that fight if I wasn’t such a useless idiot.
Maybe he could go to the library and research hybrids? It was certainly odd to find one, considering that the tribes could never co-exist together. With his mind set, he walked through the heavy snow that coated the ground, creating a deceivingly fluffy look. It crunched under his talons, wet. Shrimp didn’t mind the cold; he was an IceWing after all. It was the wet that really made him grind his teeth, it felt gross. Swimming was an outright no-go for him, he hated it. The fact that there could be anything under the water? A leopard seal, enemy SeaWings, that hybrid- anything!
Crunch, crunch, crunch came the sound of his footsteps as he walked into the pristine library. An indigo blue tinted IceWing looked over her glasses at him, a scowl on her narrow muzzle. A necklace with four rings on it signifying her place in the fourth circle.
“I’ll- I’ll clean it up,” he stammered under her unwavering gaze.
She nodded, and threw a broom at him. Shrimp flailed to catch it before it hit the ground, succeeding but at the cost of accidentally spreading more snow on the clean ice floor. He chuckled nervously, hoping for forgiveness. An irritated snort was all he received before she turned away to continue sorting books. He let his face fall as he turned to brush the snow back outside.
Soon enough, the snow was outside, the floor mostly clean, his talons wiped. Walking over to the desk, Shrimp held up the broom with a smile.
The IceWing continued sorting.
Shrimp’s smile faded. He awkwardly cleared his throat, this time succeeding in gaining her attention. Pasting the smile back onto his face, Shrimp cheerfully told her he finished.
She raised an eyebrow at him, before leaning forward to look over the counter and towards the entrance.
“I suppose that is… suitable,” she noted in a snide voice.
Shrimp opened his mouth to ask where books on hybrids were, when the other dragon continued speaking.
“- for a dragon like you.”
He looked away; of course it was his stupid scales again.
Shrimp asked in a small voice, “Do you have any books on hybrids?”
The other dragon seemed surprised, before regaining her cold stature, responding with, “I suppose you’d like to check, wouldn’t you?”
Shrimp was insulted by the subtle implication; what was this fourth-circle trying to imply? That he wasn’t an IceWing? He kept his mouth shut though, no need for unnecessary speech. That’d probably earn him a scratch or two.
“Aisle 6, at the furthest end,” she told him. “Don’t expect too many books on this topic, it’s not very common.”
Shrimp thanked her, turning and walking down to the correct aisle.
The bookshelves were tall, with large spaces in between to allow for easier flight up to higher levels. Ledges protruded here and there, allowing for easier access to the higher up books without exhausting a dragon’s wings.
Down near the floor was a section labelled “hybrids” in neat cursive.
Shrimp leant forwards, having to fold his front legs under him while his back half remained in standing position.
If Polar saw me like this, he thought to himself, I’d never hear the end of it, that’s what! Next they’d probably call me MudWing, for doing something as stupid as this!
He let out a snort as he looked through the books.
Why Hybrids Happen – not what he was after.
Hybrid Prevention – also not what he was after.
Hybrid 101 – maybe?
Hybrids shouldn’t be allowed to exist, here’s why – definitely not that. Maybe he should stick with Hybrid 101.
He reached for the book, before straightening up with a wince.
Time to find a spot to sit. His eyes roamed the spacious area, before deciding on an ice bench that would suit.
Holding the book with his wing claw, he walked past the librarian’s desk, feeling her cold gaze on him.
Ignoring her, he sat down on the smooth bench and began to read.
Hybrids are a rare commodity in the dragon culture, tribes unable to stand to be in the same room as each…
…chance of mutation increased by mixing tribes…
…often considered lesser than pure tribe dragons, due to collective belief of their lower intelligence…
…occasionally unable to hatch on their own, similar to runts… found dead upon forcing a hatch…
…uneducated, due to having to flee for their lives constantly for aforementioned reasons…
Shrimp put the book down, barely restraining a frustrated sigh. None of the behaviour stuff matched up to Seal! He seemed smart, strong, but admittedly naïve. He hadn’t seen any apparent mutations with him, though. Except the glowscales? He did say that some didn’t work… Dunno if that counts as a mutation, though.
Maybe I’ll ask him about it, he thought to himself as he put the book away.
As he was leaving, he made sure to smile at the librarian. No response.
Oh well. Less conversation means I can get to Seal faster.
He set off through the snow towards where he had sat by the ice cold water yesterday.
Shrimp took a glance at his wing scales; seemed like they were healing up well. He could already see a new scale forming at the top of the quick.
When he arrived, Seal was nowhere to be found.
Shrimp sighed; does nothing want to go right today?
He found himself pawing at the snow in boredom, a few specks falling into the water and creating ripples.
He leaned closer and watched as the ripples expanded, crashing into each other but yet continuing. It was fascinating, really.
Pushing differently shaped pieces of snow all resulted in a perfect circle, expanding outwards in a beautiful pattern.
Wait… what was that?
He leaned closer to investigate, when his face was instead splashed with water!
Laughter met Shrimp’s ears as he shook off the freezing water.
Finally! It was Seal.
“Hi!” Seal greeted, as enthusiastic as yesterday.
Shrimp returned a much quieter, “Hello”.
“What’d you need to run off for, yesterday?” Seal inquired.
Huh? He doesn’t know about the Gift of Order-? Shrimp didn’t let his confusion show, but opened his mouth to ask before remembering what the book said.
“…uneducated, due to having to flee for their lives constantly for aforementioned reasons…”
“I had to go see the changes for the Gift of Order.” Shrimp told the other dragon, allowing a little bit of confusion into his tone for Seal to understand that this was considered common knowledge among what he called “land dragons”.
“What’s that?” Seal asked, seemingly unaware of Shrimp’s undertone.
Definitely “uneducated”.
“Uh, it determines where you live, what jobs you do, who you’ve gotta bow to, stuff like that.”
Seal frowned. “That doesn’t seem very fun.”
Shrimp lifted his shoulders and dropped them in a very informal shrug, “Doesn’t matter. Just how it is.”
“Why?” Seal looked at him with his questioning blue eyes.
He’s acting like a hatchling, how old is he?
“How old are you?”
“Six.”
Six?? He’s as old as I am. Yet he seems bigger than me.
“Really?” Shrimp asked, curious.
Seal opened his mouth to reply, when Shrimp quickly apologised, “Sorry, that was rude of me.”
“Oh – I didn’t mind it, I like your questions!” Seal told him eagerly.
“You like questions?” Shrimp asked, taken aback. He usually got punished for his – just follow the rules like every other IceWing – so he didn’t usually ask very many.
Seal nodded, a toothy grin on his blue face.
“Oh! That reminds me, I brought a gift for you!” Seal exclaimed, before diving underwater and yet again splashing Shrimp with more cold water.
A gift? Like the animus gifts? Shrimp frowned with confusion. The SeaWings and SandWings don’t have animus dragons, don’t they? And why would he use it on me?
A third splash of water elicited a hiss from Shrimp as Seal surfaced, a seal in his claws.
“Tada!” Seal smiled proudly.
“What- you’re an animus?” Shrimp stammered, suddenly afraid.
Seal blinked. “No? Those are the magic dragons, right? I caught this-”
“Then why’d you call it a gift?” Shrimp interrupted, still not understanding.
Seal answered slowly, a couple face scales lighting up, which Shrimp recognised to be what. “That’s what you call it when you give dragons something. Can be anything, can’t it?”
Now it was Shrimp’s turn to blink in surprise. If anyone could do it, and they don’t have to be an animus, why haven’t I ever gotten one? Why haven’t I given one? I’d have to give it to-
Shrimp stopped. He didn’t have anyone he would want to give a gift to- except maybe this strange yet friendly dragon in front of him.
I’ll get him a gift too. Shrimp decided.
“So, uh…” Seal prompted, holding the seal up to him. “I noticed you seem a bit skinnier than me, and I don’t know if that’s a – what are you again? An IceWing? Yeah, that – if that’s a normal thing for you guys, but I got you this anyway.”
Shrimp didn’t know what to say. He knew that he was the only dragonet with ribs as prominent as his, but that was because of him. He needed to perform better to earn food- yet here Seal was, offering it to him.
He decided on a simple “thank you” because there were no words that could describe the impossibly light feeling in his chest.
Shrimp reached out to grab the seal, brushing talons with Seal.
“Ah!” Seal jumped back, with wide eyes. “You’re so cold!”
Shrimp hesitantly answered, “Uhhh… yes? IceWings are cold. Are you warm because of your SandWing part?”
Seal shrugged, eyes flicking back to the dead animal on the ice.
Oh right- that’s for me!
Shrimp got started on the seal eagerly, finishing it in a matter of minutes while the hybrid watched with horror.
“How do you eat so fast?” Seal asked, gobsmacked.
Shrimp looked up from licking his claws. “That’s… fast?”
Seal gave him an incredulous look. “Yeah! Don’t you want to enjoy what you’re eating?”
The IceWing shrugged. “Gotta eat it before you can’t.”
Seal’s eyebrows knitted together in confusion. In his experience, food never ran away once it was dead. “I guess…?”
They sat in silence for a moment.
“Do you have to go anywhere again?”
Shrimp shook his head. “Not yet, but I will have to when the sun starts setting.” The dragonet looked at the other. “Come to think of it, what do you do all day?”
Seal’s expression dropped for the first time since meeting him, looking away. “I don’t have anything to do so I usually just… swim around. Land dragons don’t like me, animals are afraid of me, which means I don’t have any friends, so…”
He trailed off, staring at the water.
“Well…”
Seal looked up.
“I don’t have any friends either.” Shrimp admitted quietly.
“Really?” Seal’s jaw dropped. “But you’re so nice!”
Shrimp huffed a laugh. “I guess- but that doesn’t matter to them. I don’t look like they want me to, so I don’t get any friends.”
“Why don’t we be friends then?” Seal supplied, “Neither of us look like we’re ‘meant’ to, so why don’t we be friends? I think you’re nice to me, and I hope I’m nice enough to you!”
Shrimp’s eyes met Seal’s. “Really?” he breathed.
“Yeah!” Seal beamed.
A smile pulled at Shrimp’s lips, before it became a full grin.
“Celebratory hug!” Seal announced, clambering out of the water.
He shook himself off, and opened up his wings, walking towards his new friend – but stopped, looking down and seeing Shrimp’s suddenly wide eyes, his body compacting, making himself seem smaller.
“You okay?” Seal asked with concern.
Shrimp seemed to snap out of whatever he was doing, answering. “Ah, yeah. Sorry- I just didn’t know you were so big!”
Seal looked down at himself, then back at Shrimp. “I am kinda big. I thought it was just SeaWings that were small… is it all land dragons?”
Shrimp shook his head. “No. Usually dragons only get as big as you when they’re super old… I did read a book about hybrids that said chances of mutations are increased when tribes crossbreed. Maybe that’s why you’re so big?”
Seal shrugged, “You still up for a hug?”
“Yeah, if you can stand my coldness!” Shrimp jabbed with a grin. It felt good to tease his new friend.
Seal let out a deep belly laugh, and scooped his friend up with his rounded wings.
“You’re spikier than I expected!” he chuckled.
Shrimp didn’t hear him; he was too busy enjoying what he didn’t realise he had missed until now.
The two stayed like that for awhile, enjoying the company of the other. Too soon, the sun neared the horizon, casting them both in an orange light.
Shrimp pulled away from Seal with a sigh.
“Guess it’s time for you to go?” Seal asked the smaller dragon.
Shrimp nodded, walking to a clear spot to take off. “Will you be here tomorrow?”
“If you need me to be!” Seal answered with a cheery smile.
“Alright, I’ll see you then!” Shrimp smiled, and lifted his wings. A beat or too, and he was in the air.
Seal waved as he watched him fly towards the shape on the horizon.
Sliding back into the water, all Seal could think about was how excited he was for tomorrow afternoon.
Standing in the crowd, all Shrimp could think about was how excited he was for tomorrow afternoon.
Notes:
HEHEHHEEHEHHEHEHE I AM SO HAPPY WITH THEIR SCENE TOGETHER!! it was so annoying to word things without repeating stuff but im happy with it!!
also when i was writing the hug i wrote "AND THEN THEY KISSED!!!!!!!!!!"
but no. no romance in this !! seal is aroace btw!! ive also put his new ref at the bottom :] hopefully the image works!!
Chapter 5: Thinking
Summary:
ehem. uhm. eheh. u had fluff. now angst >:D and then maybe fluff. this chapter is a big bulletpoint in my planning so look at it that way
Notes:
hiii i felt really inspired and i wrote all this super fast but did lose some sleep lol
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Another day, another name call, another punishment.
Getting up from his cold slab called a bed, Shrimp readied for his day.
Walked out from the room he called his own which had nothing but a desk and a bed. He didn’t get a window.
He took his place in the neat, orderly line to be marked as present for the day’s lesson.
A sharp pain from his tail, Shrimp swivelled his head around to see Polar smirking as he pushed his foot down harder on Shrimp’s fanned tail. The one thing that Shrimp liked about himself, and Polar had to ruin it. Shrimp bit back an annoyed snort as he pulled his tail out from under Polar’s clawed foot.
“Shrimp!”
“Ah!” Shrimp jumped at spotting the captain’s head a mere claw-length away.
“Why aren’t you paying attention?” the captain snarled, his lip curling.
Shrimp resisted the urge to shrink back and simply said, “Sorry, sir.”
The captain regarded him with disdain for a moment, before stepping back and continuing down the line once more.
Shrimp already couldn’t wait for the day to end.
Well, at least I get to see Seal again! A smile tugged at his face as he thought of his new friend.
I’ve just got to get through this lesson first…
---
When the sun had passed the centre of the sky and started leaning towards the horizon, Shrimp was finally free to go see Seal.
He’d admittedly done really badly this lesson, resulting in a punishment that took form of a long claw down his leg. His scales were torn, so he’d have to tear those off so it could heal properly later.
I’ll do that in the cold water, he mused, it’ll hurt less.
He launches himself into the air with his nearly fully healed wings, the new scales fully grown, still pink as ever.
Closing his eyes, he lets himself enjoy the wind caressing his wings for a moment, free from the lessons that he didn’t know he hated until a couple days ago.
He flew and flew until he reached the flat ice plains, riddled with cracks in which freezing water spread from.
Shrimp scanned the land for a familiar figure, brows furrowing as he realized he couldn’t find Seal.
Come to think of it- every time he’d seen Seal, Seal was the one who found him each time.
Am I just meant to land? Will he find me?
He angled his wings, gliding downward towards the ground.
As he landed on the ground, the powdery snow flurried up around him, water rippling as the piece of ice shook.
I guess I wait?
Shrimp looked around, seeing nothing but ice.
Guess I can pull off the scales now.
He lowered his front leg into the cold water, hissing as the water rushed over the congealed blood. A light blue coloured flowered into the water, darker clumps here and there.
Bracing himself, he gripped the edge of the scale… and pulled.
He tasted blood in his mouth- oh, his tongue was bleeding. Must have bit that. Oh well.
Swallowing down the taste of blood, Shrimp continued his work, reaching down for the next torn scale.
Another tug-
Three more to go.
Again, grab and pull-
Two more.
Grab… and pull...
One more.
Grab… and-
And-
He stared at his bloodied claw. The blood.
On his claw. Coming out of his leg. Torn, broken cales around him.
His blood.
His scales.
Torn- broken, just like him.
I’ll never be good enough for them, why do they have to do this to me- my scales- I just- it hurts-
His chest rose and fell quickly, breaths coming in and out fast.
I shouldn’t be here with- I should- I can’t- but-
Eyes wide, he looked around, locking eyes with-
The captain loomed over him, a snarl on his cruel face.
“What are you doing out here?”
Shrimp gasped and shrunk back, shutting his eyes.
He can’t- I don’t want-
A claw grabbed his shoulder, cruel eyes staring- wait, those aren’t the captain’s eyes. Those were the soft blue eyes of Seal, a gentle webbed paw resting on his shoulder, his eyebrows furrowed in concern.
Hot shame filled Shrimp as he realised Seal just witnessed his stupid little breakdown, he thought he had stopped those-
“Hey,” a soft tone broke him out of his thoughts.
Seal bent down, a worried expression pulling on his features. “Are you okay?”
Shrimp started to nod, a wing jerk reaction.
He frowned, and admitted in a small voice, “No…”
“Do you want a hug?”
Shrimp sniffed, and nodded slowly.
Seal’s warm, large wings folded around him, encasing him in a big cuddle.
Shrimp tried to keep himself together for a moment, before giving in and letting long, heavy sobs wrack his thin frame as he let out years of sadness he didn’t know he had.
They stayed like that for awhile, neither speaking.
Seal did nothing but comfort while a seemingly endless stream of tears leaked from Shrimp’s eyes to flow down Seal’s chest.
Eventually, the tears slowed to a hiccup every now and then, Shrimp still clinging onto Seal as if he’d be pulled away any moment.
“Thank you, Seal,” Shrimp said quietly.
“Anytime, mate.”
Shrimp pulled himself away, and looked up into the kind eyes of his friend. “I don’t think I want to stay here anymore.”
“What made you stay in the first place?”
Shrimp looked away and thought for a moment.
“I didn’t know it was wrong.”
Seal looked at him, deep emotion in his eyes.
“When did it change?” he asked, tilting his head to the side.
“Two days ago.” Shrimp answered truthfully, a smile growing on his face.
Seal pulled him back into a hug, before asking, “When do you want to leave?”
Shrimp barely took a moment to breathe to answer, “As soon as possible. Which will be-”
“Why not now?” Seal interrupted, confused.
“Because I can’t just leave?” Shrimp responded, also confused.
“What, why not?”
The IceWing thought for a moment.
“I don’t know. I just can’t.”
“Alright, when will we leave then?”
Shrimp looked up, an eyebrow raised in confusion, “You’re coming with me?”
Seal laughed, “Of course I am! It’s not like I have somewhere to be.”
Shrimp almost started crying again right then and there. What was he thinking? Of course Seal would come with him!
We’re best friends.
“Thank you,” Shrimp murmured quietly, hugging him again.
They stayed like that for a moment, wind quietly whistling around them. Shrimp could stay like this forever, in the warm wings of Seal.
Seal pulled away and asked, “Where do you want to go?”
“Anywhere.”
Seal hummed, and looked at the water. He bit his lip and said, “Well, the other land dragons have their war, which means they won’t like you, and they automat- auto-”
“Automatically?”
“Yeah, that. They won’t like either of us, so we’d better swim.”
Shrimp told him, “I can’t swim too well. Only the basics.”
“That’s fine!” Seal responded confidently, “I can help!”
Shrimp grinned, once again glad that he had a friend, especially that it was Seal.
The two continued talking and forming their plan of where to go, much later into the night, allowing the stars to decorate the sky, the sun long gone.
Yet it still seemed too soon that Shrimp finally told him he had to go.
Seal waved him off with a toothy smile, and Shrimp yelled as he flew off, “See you tomorrow afternoon!”
This time, he flew feeling like the lightest and warmest IceWing in the world.
When he landed at the palace, the feeling remained, if dampened by the dread he felt as a guard approached him.
Two rings swinging on their neck indicated their position in the second circle, so Shrimp bowed and stood in the standard stance.
“What is your business?” The guard demanded, glaring at him.
“I was out checking borders.” Shrimp answered, making sure not to make eye contact. That was one thing that would definitely make this situation worse, all he could do was hope the guard believed him.
“You weren’t rostered for a patrol today.” Suspicion coated the guard’s tone, a warning.
“My performance in my lesson today was not up to standard, I wanted to rectify that.”
“Your captain has also added he’s noticed disappearances recently,” The guard intoned, “over the past couple days.”
Shrimp nearly froze at the words, before reminding himself that the guard hadn’t actually mentioned Seal, just him leaving.
“Same reason as above, sir.” Shrimp answered.
The guard raised an eyebrow. Shrimp held his breath. The moment seemed to last an eternity before the guard finally said, “I will be reporting this. Be dismissed.”
Shrimp bowed again, and headed to his room, waiting until he was out of earshot to let out a long, relieved breath.
That was close. I hope they don’t look into it too much.
He curled up on his slab, already missing Seal’s squishy and warm body.
Notes:
how we feeling?? please let me know i love hearing what people think of my idiots!!!
also i hope to god that ppl dont ship them... maybe i should uhh i should say that uhh seal is aroace :D
also i have a toyhouse now!! i will be putting all art of them on there bit by bit, itll take me awhile since ive drawn them heaps and have also been gifted lots of art of them!!
art done at the bottom by an amazing super duper person @deersoncupcakes on tumblr :33333
send her some love !!