12- Dependence
#14 of The Legend of Rift Book II: Resurrection
Sithris pulled his head out of a pond in the cave, washing his mouth out, shuddering. Removing the large spider's hairs out of Rift's eyes had left him feeling sick and puking. He didn't understand his friend. With as much pain as Rift was in and his screams that scared Sithris, he was able to keep consciousness. After the hairs were removed, Sithris had covered Rift's eyes with bandages, at which point he found the pond and hurled.
Going back to check on his friend, he halted in worry. Rift was able to feel his way to the dead spider and was viciously dismantling the corpse in rage. Sithris ran over and pulled Rift back, earning a whine of defeat.
Sithris rubbed his back. "Let's get you out of here. We can get to my place in a few hours."
Rift nods slowly. "I apologize in advance for being slow. I can't exactly see."
Sithris pulled out a collar and leash and clipped on Rift. "Yes, it is what you think it is. I ask that you swallow your pride so I can get you out of here."
The orange dragon nodded, and they went on their way.
Sithris gleamed as he entered his den. What had only been a few weeks felt like forever since he was in the presence of his blue glowy lights. Everything was just as he left it. He led Rift to the bedroom and had his friend lay down.
Sithris looked at him sternly. "I'm gonna get us dinner. I want you to stay here and rest, got it?"
Rift nodded and Sithris smiled before heading out, deciding not to seal the front door. He looked around and wandered into the woods.
Sithris drooled at the thought of meat. "Might as well get some deer. Poor Rift could use something to contrast the last day. I should also make him something so he can walk without tripping. I'll deal with that after noms."
Picking up a scent, he quickly followed it and found his desired meal. A three point buck was standing just out of the treeline, grazing. With expert stealth, Sithris crawled low to the ground. As the buck lifted it's head, Sithris pounced. A quick bite on the neck and a mass of electricity made fast work of the buck. Quick and clean was always his style.
Opening his front door, Sithris yelped. Rift was whimpering, crumpled over by the table. His head was bruised and bleeding. Sithris ran over and pushed his head under one of Rift's front legs. With a grunt, he lifted Rift onto a stool.
Rift sighed. "I was trying to get a fire ready, but I didn't make it."
Sithris smiled. "Stubborn dragon. Stay right there so I can patch you up."
Within a few minutes, the orange dragon was well wrapped as he and Sithris began eating. Both were in love with the flavor. Rift was happy that Sithris managed to cook his well done. He wasn't happy though that Sithris had to help him eat. He had tried himself, but kept jabbing himself in the face with his claw.
Sithris looked at Rift."I never had the chance to ask before what that move was."
Rift shrugged. "It's the one I learned from Ignitus. Yol Jusk, It requires alot of energy, but it superheats my tail spade beyond what I normally can."
Sithris nodded. "So that explains why you waited to use it. Still, you could have saved your eyes had you done so earlier."
Rift moved his head away. "Don't remind me. Has it been long enough to get that bandage off?"
The black dragon hesitantly starts unbinding the cover over his eyes. Sithris sighed in relief. Rift's eyes were still clouded, but the blood was no more. That damned dragon had a knack for quick recovery.
The skies grew dark as the night fell. Sithris yowled, Rift doing the same, both agreeing it was time to sleep. Rift slowly stood up and Sithris quickly ran over to try and assist him. Rift refused and attempted to walk, only to trip over. "Son of a bitch!"
Several more failed attempts to walk to the bedroom and Rift gave up. With a snarl of anger, he dragged a paw over the ground before burying his head in it. Sithris cautiously walked over to check on his friend. He worried as he heard his friend's strained whimpers and saw tears falling.
Rift shuddered. "I'm useless like this. I can't even walk. I won't be able to get Kara back. I'll be a burden on your back forever."
Sithris lowered his head and licked away Rift's tears. "You are not a burden. You're my friend, and also stubborn as all hell. You just need time to recover. Hell, you were in much worse shape when I first found you, gushing blood all over the place. My point being, you can do it."
The orange dragon nodded and Sithris smiled. "Good, now let's get to bed."
The next week had been tough for the dragons. Rift had to learn how to depend on Sithris, while Sithris continuously contemplated his place once his friend reunited with his mate. It scared him at his thought of returning to his isolation and no longer being with his friend.
Those fears were pushed away however as the two dragons snuggled next to the fire as sleep slowly overcame them. Sithris couldn't help but notice his heart beat a little faster around the orange dragon. He smiled as he thought back to the last few days when he would wake up. His friend was always sprawled on top of him like a warm blanket, Rift's head laying on his chest. Sithris didn't understand why he felt so content, and at the moment, he didn't care. Sleep quickly overcame him.
"SITHY!!!"
The black dragon startled awake in a panic. "What's wrong?"
Rift was wagging his tail wildly and Sithris finally understood what it was. Rift's eyes were no longer clouded, but cleared up, once again their usual deep blue. Sithris squeaked as he was quickly dragged out of the bedroom and into the kitchen. Waiting for him at the table was freshly caught and cooked steak. He drooled and quickly nibbled. Finishing his meal, he turned to Rift and smiled.
"Thank you, how are you feeling?"
Rift slurped him, leaving the black dragon blushing as he responded. "Like a dragon that can see for the first time in a week. Let me eat my breakfast, and then we'll head out."