Sora released his hand and returned to rubbing the top of his head.
Ravi huffed and laid his head back down, though his chin might now be on Sora’s leg a little. Okay, so maybe he was playing up the pathetic just a little bit, but he was soaking up all this amazing attention while he could get it. He was like a cat getting head scratches, and he never wanted it to end.
“Thank you, but I’d be fine with some bread. It’s easy to eat and not very messy. I can eat whatever I want when I’m human again,” Ravi murmured. He glanced up to find Sora frowning at him.
“How about you watch your movie while I see what I can fix up for you?”
“Really? You don’t have to go to that kind of trouble.”
“No trouble at all. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Sora slipped away, and Ravi tried not to sigh. The moment he was gone he realized that he could have gone without food for a long time if it meant that Sora stayed right there with him. He liked that man. He was nice, funny, and very compassionate. A damn good healer. And Ravi was getting rather attached to him, if he was being honest with himself. He liked Sora A LOT. Sora needed to remain at Burkhard Castle permanently.
Ravi waited for Sora to return, only partially paying attention to the movie that was playing. He’d already watched it a few dozen times. It was one of his favorites, but his mind kept drifting back to the mage, wondering what he’d been about to say. Sora had never really goggled at the dragons the same way the other new mages did. He’d always sort of taken them in stride.
He also wondered what Sora would bring him to eat. Would he stay and eat with Ravi? Or simply drop off the food and leave again?
He would probably leave. While he might not be a part of the clan, there was plenty that needed to be done around the castle, and Sora was the type to jump in and help where he was needed. Lisette was probably already looking for him to assist with anyone else who’d been injured. Ravi snorted to himself. Lisette probably had him wrangled into teaching more classes on healing. Despite the mage’s concerns, he’d turned out to be a damn fine instructor. Sora might not even be able to return to him.
“I told you he was wasting away.” Sora’s voice rang out in the hall.
Ravi’s head popped up to see Sora crossing toward him with Warin following behind, carrying what looked to be a heavily laden tray. The smell of cooked meat and fresh vegetables mixed with taco seasoning reached him, and he sighed happily.
“You made me tacos!” Ravi cried out.
“Tacos at nine in the morning,” Warin muttered, and Ravi smiled at him.
“The tray ended up heavier than I expected, and Warin offered to help carry it,” Sora explained.
He sat down on the pillows across from Ravi while Warin placed the tray down beside them both. Ravi looked it over, his eyes wide as he saw everything that he’d listed earlier for his perfect taco, along with a mix of meats and taco shells. It was a tray filled with delicious heaven.
“You must watch this one,” Warin warned. “He will eat tacos for every meal if he isn’t stopped.”
“Tacos are the best,” Ravi argued.
To his surprise, Warin rubbed the top of his head and smiled. “You heal up fast. I know for a fact that Alric and Cameron miss their shadow already. We all miss you around the castle.”
A warm glow filled Ravi’s chest, helping to chase away some of the lingering pain. He never doubted it. He was loved, and his family cared greatly for him. His tail may have thumped the ground a bit in happiness before he could shush it.
Warin gave Sora a final nod and left them alone, which brought up a new question in Ravi’s mind—how in the world was he supposed to eat a taco?
Sora didn’t hesitate. He snatched up a soft taco shell and started to carefully load it with all the things that made Ravi’s stomach rumble. When it was full, Sora pointed it at him.
“Open.”
Ravi cautiously opened his mouth, and Sora didn’t hesitate to lay the prepared taco in the center of his long tongue and then pull his fingers back. Ravi closed his mouth and carefully maneuvered the taco so he could chew it. Dragon mouths were not designed for chewing, mostly ripping and tearing, but he was making this work. The wonderful flavors filled his mouth, and he hummed his pleasure.
“Good?” Sora inquired.
“Amazing! Did you cook that?”
“With some help. The chefs in the kitchen were happy to give me a hand when I explained that you were craving tacos.” Sora grabbed another shell. “What are you thinking for the next one? More ground beef? I’ve got some steak here, too, as well as some chicken.”
“Ooo…the steak.”
“Any other changes? More salsa? Or sour cream?”
“Just like the last one.”
Sora nodded and proceeded to make another taco, placing it on Ravi’s tongue. Sora had cooked for him and was now feeding him by hand. He was in heaven. He’d happily take down a Jaeggi every day of his life if it meant he got to keep Sora with him just like this.
A dozen tacos later, Ravi was groaning. His stomach was full and happy, but he didn’t want to stop. Thank god they were out of shells and meat. He was going to explode soon.
“Should I make more?” Sora asked.
“No. No more tacos. I’m so full. They were amazing.”
Sora chuckled and rubbed the top of Ravi’s head for a moment before moving the tray aside. “I’m glad you’re happy. You need to eat if you’re going to heal properly.”
Ravi’s head popped up as a thought hit him. “Did you eat?”
How could he have not thought of that? Even injured, his first priority was always the health and safety of a mage. He shouldn’t have been so worried about his own belly that he forgot about what Sora might need. In his defense, tacos.
Sora laughed and settled back on the pillows next to his head. “I had some oatmeal in the kitchen while I was waiting for your steak to finish.”
“That’s it?” Ravi gasped, earning another chuckle.
“I’m not a big breakfast person. Oatmeal is plenty for me. I definitely can’t handle tacos early in the morning, but I enjoyed taking care of you.”
“You’re sure?”
“Most definitely.” Sora went back to rubbing Ravi’s head, and Ravi settled back down.
Ravi had almost drifted off to sleep when Sora spoke again. They’d fallen into a comfortable silence. Much of Ravi’s pain had subsided thanks to Sora’s healing efforts, and his tummy was full of tacos. With good company and comfy pillows, he was ready for a nap.
“Ravi, can I ask you a personal question?” Sora inquired softly.
“Sure,” he replied without hesitation. He’d happily answer any of Sora’s questions.
“Are you the only wind dragon in this clan?”
“Yep. Always have been.”
“Really? Do you mind if I ask why? Why aren’t you with other wind dragons?”
Ravi opened his eyes and cocked his head a little so he could look up at Sora. The man sounded so confused by it when the answer had always been so obvious to Ravi.
“It’s because of the war.”
“I don’t understand.”
Ravi snuggled his head a little closer.