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Despite the Rain - 5773, February 8th

"Power's out!" Acer announced after the last thunder's boom. The silence after his shout was replaced by a pouring rain that had lasted three days straight. A faint green light from his scales slowly intensified in their brightness, to act as a flashlight of sorts.

There was more to living in a suburban home than he anticipated. When he took the mercenary job some months ago, he only thought of flying the Incandescence fight after fight, worried that the stress and G-forces pushing and pulling him would put him under. That would've been easy.

Holding down a job as a bookkeeper, and living a simple planetary life was a challenge in itself. At least living with his friends made the job easier. The mercenary one that is.

So there he was, in the bedroom of that aforementioned suburban home. This world was inhabited by 'regular' species of animan. Unlike himself, only those with feathers could fly, and those with scales could swim. And none of them glowed green in the darkness.

Acer decided to check on Nero first since he was more accustomed to this lifestyle. Shouting, "Nero, where are you?!"

"You don't have to shout Acer, I'm in the living room." Nero replied.

"Sorry," Acer spoke normally, and he could hear himself better as opposed to the initial panic. He stepped out of his room and walked down the flight of stairs where enough outdoor light still seeped in to brighten the room enough for him to lower his inner light source. It remained on for the aesthetic of it because, despite how the day had started, it was his hatchday.

Upon reaching the lower stairwell, he could see Nero in the living room laying down on the couch. The furred white arm raised and waved at him, having heard his loud descent. "No electricity." He said, "I'm gonna miss my stories."

Acer could see his facial reaction on the hollowed tv's reflection. He walked over to the back of the sofa, tail wagging, and his glow appearing on the glass. Hopefully his company could cheer his fellow dragon-kin. "I'm pretty sure you could just download them online, can't you?"

"I mean, yeah. But it's very different when I'm watching it on my sofa y'knooooow." The furred dragon stretched out, fluffing up in the process.

Resting his arms on the seat, and looming over Nero he asked, "How come?" Head tilted in wonder, "Because it's on an old-time tv?" It was a square television set, which was a far rarer sight than holograms you could touch, or sentient food you could eat in this day and age. Valefall was no stranger to such advancements either but why did the two catalysts have to live such an ancient lifestyle.

Nero fully laid on his back and reached out to hold Acer's scaly claws, contrasting his fluff. Their colors were opposite too, where he was majority blue-white, while the latter black. But they bonded together nonetheless, with Cas helping them out as needed.

Acer held his hand and felt the warmth coming from it, contrasting the cold environment he was in. He tightened his grip with one, and massaged the backhand with the other. Tail wagging fast because he enjoyed doing it, but remembering an accident last time where he brought down an entire bookcase for it so he slowed it down.

"Happy Birthday, Acer," Nero whispered to him. His tail wagged between his legs, fluffing up when he said the name.

Aw! Acer's heart jumped, and so did his entire body over the sofa. The ceiling fan nearly bumped by his dark wings, and he crouched beside the furred dragon and gave him a tight squeeze. Cheek to cheek, and arms around his chest. "You remembered..." he whispered, tail wagging fast and stretching out to almost reach the tv.

"Acer, relax your tail please, hah," Nero chuckled as he embraced, and he returned the gesture in kind with an addition of soft purrs. Sitting up as the scaled dragon calmed down but tightened his hug with him.

"Sorry about that," He leaned back to nuzzle him, and Nero nuzzled along as well. They looked at each other's eyes where the joyous memories of a time before was followed by a loud scream that shattered their bonds. Both dragons frowned at that, but Cas came along and set things straight between both of them.

A lightning flashed, revealing how gentle blue Nero's eyes were. The testament that he was a good friend who, like his objectives in the campaign, was to take care of people; the second on-site medic. And that slight guild riding his back of his overreaction then, yet never forgot about it. Always worried, and expressing it to Cas who assured him of it. And that skip of a heart when the opportunity to reunite was present.

"It's alright," Nero smiled and hugged him closer. And tighter as thunder drummed over their heads, and surely it was not Cas thudding around. "Rain's hard, huh?"

"Yep," Acer noticed that he and Nero had glanced up. Now he was driven with wonder how hard the rain truly was. He went to the nearest window and slid the curtain open enough for his eye to peek through. Muzzle picking up that unpleasant smell of the fabric simply not being washed for too long. Like rotten, but not caused by anything for they did not have pets nor daily foodfights. "We should also clean our curtains. You think we can do it in this rain?"

Nero remained on the couch, putting his arms behind him as he looked at the small crack of a brighter light. "Nope, wind's gonna make it go bye-bye."

It wasn't an understatement either as the outside road was not too visible from the intense downpour. Acer could make out the branches and twigs rolling in front of their lawn, as well as an inverted umbrella from someone who had the balls, and the lack of a brain to go outside in the first place. "Well, there goes an umbrella."

"Like what, an umbrella-shaped race or an umbrella umbrella?"

"There's an umbrella shaped race?"

"Yeah but that's a story for another time."

It was intriguing, and the Universe was no stranger to strange things. This rain was nothing out of the ordinary, another severe weather phenomena. It was fogged up down the road where the umbrella tumbled into. And there was another house down there that hosted two more of their team. Yanixter and Redgath, which he knew the former enough of being an ice wolf. The latter was one of the newer members to arrive from Bridgewater, a Bagelgeese? Betelgeuse? Bazelgeuse?

Acer wondered, "That Red guy, Nero, what is he exactly?"

"A Bazelgeuse," pronounced as Basil-geese. Nero said, "If he gets angry, his chingleberries become live grenades."

"And where is he from?" Acer retracted the curtain and sat by his side, looking at the empty screen. Feeling weird about this form of power outage.

"Dunno, some place called EhmAgeDubolYou."

"That is an unusual name."

"Mhm." There was a pause for a moment with both dragons staring at the tv.

Acer realized he had never experienced an infrastructure blackout in a long time. The last several years spent jumping from station to station, and the last months residing in Cas' ship. Everything was well maintained and safe enough out of hazards that everything functioned. It was at these times he never really felt himself shine. The green glow intensified from his scales enough to light the radius around him and not to bother Nero.

"Kinda funny how it's during your birthday that we don't get electricity," the furred dragon poked the protruding green spines on his back.

"Hah, yeah." Acer was about to get to that thought.

"Y'know what," Nero sat upright and rubbed the top of his head.

Acer purred, and got up to sit beside him. Leaning against as he kept getting pats. "Yeah?"

"Why don't I bake you a cake?" Nero looked over his shoulder and towards the adjacent kitchen. "A pancake at least."

"You can do that?" He caught him in his eyes, smiling. "Do you need me to breathe fire or anything?"

"Psh, nah," he booped him on the snout, smoke fuming out the black muzzle. "It's gas here, and I can make do with that. Just rest up, or maybe check on Cas." Nero swiveled his head wondering where the croc would normally be. "Maybe check the study and see if he's stuck upside down again, or holding something that could terminate half the block."

Acer sighed, "Well, let's hope it doesn't come to that." Either outcome was not desirable, even though the latter happened more. Cas had been reduced to a seven foot crocodile, and with less weight for the purpose of this operation yet found it difficult to go between rooms, or picking himself up from the floor. For a leader whose main directive was to act conspicuous, he always stood out and got the side-eye from the locals. Redgath of all people seemed normal compared to him.

"Just let me know if you need help," The furred dragon got up and went to the kitchen, tail wagging and all. It was still bright enough for him to work at least, but his eyes wandered to see if the water leaked in through the window or the wooden back door. And it seemed to have, muttering something as he got a cloth from one of the cabinets and lodged it in the small gap underneath.

Acer stood and double checked that case on the front door, or any of the other windows in the living room. The front balcony had a roof at least, but one could never be too sure he supposed.

"And Acer, no need to shout alright?"

A conscious feeling made him answer softly. "Yeah, I won't." Nero gave him a thumbs up as he walked out of view and back up the stairwell. The study would be at the far right.

Given Cas' sheer size, and difficulty of movement, the study became his own bedroom too. It had its own bathroom at least, but they had to move a bed large enough for him through the doorway. Even one of those large folding mattresses. That was a five person job back during the second week of their operation last month.

After reaching the top step, he could see the light escape from the small gap that all these doors would have. A shadow moved between, and by Cas' size it was a moment of darkness before the light seeped through again. The doorknob was jagged because the crocodile crushed it on the first day, as they were all accustomed to button pressing and automatic scanners. And now it had been hammered outward so it could at least be twisted and opened.

Acer knocked on the door first. His scaled knuckles left scratch marks on the wooden surface, "Cas?"

"Ye, what's up?" He said, several paces away from the door.

"Wanted to check on you. Can I, uh, come in?"

"Sure, door's open, Acer."

He held the jagged knob and gave it a twist, not unlocking in the first try. It was like this, so he tried again and the inner mechanisms moved and the door swung inward. This particular room had a scent of old books that latched onto the crocodile somehow. Wall to wall of shelves, and even a ceiling that had shelves of books that somehow latched on. At the opposite side was a window, with a bed perpendicular to it, with the same light gray shine coming through while the windows were constantly washed; you wouldn't see raindrops anymore.

Cas stopped on the left hand side of the room and smiled, "Happy Birthday, ya dork." He chuckled, bellowing in the process.

Acer shot him back with a huge smile, and a brief exhale of joy before walking over to hug the larger reptile back. His upper muzzle brushed with the crocodile's chin, and large claws went under his arms and pulled him closer. "Thanks Cas, you and Nero mean a lot."

"I know. So do you, Acer." He rubbed the back of Acer's head gently, fingers traced around his scaled spine going downward. "Sorry that we had to celebrate it under," thunder boomed for convenient effect, "less than pleasant circumstances."

"This is perfect, as long as you, Nero, and the other guys are here. It's already perfect."

"That's very flattering, dork. Thanks."

"No problem," Acer answered in a cheerful tone. The dragon was first to let go and go over on the crocodile's bed and knelt as he assessed the weather outside. Still the same, if not worse. Though the back of his mind couldn't help but praise the sturdy construction that prevented any leaks of sorts, or perhaps it would be Cas' magic. He looked back up to the odd horizontal shelves.

Cas glanced upwards too, chuckling as he looked at the gravity-defying encyclopedias and novels. "Had some spells from good 'ol Hallor. Old world during a past time, back in the 2800s, Act fourteen or fifteen." And he found himself in thought for a while, counting upwards and downwards from one to sixteen and back.

Acer listened momentarily only to conclude that the weather had gotten worse as the rain drowned out the crocodile the longer he went on, enough to a point he couldn't hear himself think. And knowing Cas' capabilities, he wondered, "You think you can grant me a birthday wish right now?" His mind flashed back to when Cas performed magical feats in Bridgewater when he sparred against Sahara and tested her capabilities.

That was a fond memory because he joked about the crocodile being a dragon for two weeks because he breathed fire at the time. And that was one of many unnatural abilities that Cas did. Made him wonder why he hadn't made the books smell a bit fragrant at least, or washed the curtains. They weren't massive in scale, nor abrupt, and perhaps the weather could be toned down in the next few days right?

Cas figured he'd ask something pertaining to the nature of things, "If it's the weather, Acer, no. I do not have the plausible means to present myself to be in possession of changing it. And even if I did, who knows if the planet could accept meteorological manipulation."

"Aw, okay." That shouldn't hamper his mood, laying down on the large bed. "What do you plan on doing for the rest of the day?"

"Check up on the guys, maybe write something." But he wanted to talk about him more as it was his day, reaching over and massaging his chest while his large reptilian tail swept the bed, straightening the covers with it even. "You're the birthday boy though, any ideas?"

"Hmmmm," Acer sat up in thought, glancing outside, and back into the plethora of books surrounding them. "Got any interesting books here to read for passing time?"

Cas' eyes sparkled at that, hopping off the bed and thudding around while muttering something else. Words, titles, and terminologies he had said countless times before and explained it but often not understood.

Acer saw the passion in him, and that sense of weirdness that was its own sort of bond between them. Luckily he had compilations and books dedicated to topics the crocodile would've taken too long to explain.

Cas found a stack of books from the shelves closest to the door, grabbing a set of five before Acer could comment on his busybody state. They were as thick as a coffee mug, and as lengthy as two pens stacked together. His shelves did not have the depth to hold these books but Acer shrugged it off as magic. The crocodile brought them to the bed, tail flailing freely behind him.

He found it funny and cute, chuckling and moving aside so Cas could lay them in an order. Five books about the different kinds of dragons in their galaxy. Different covers depicted a diverse bunch; one was a long dragon that resembled a snake, without wings yet could fly; another was like him, anthro with opposable thumbs but without clothing; a third that resembled a sun, its body made of fire with solar rings around the edge of its skin; fourth almost looked like a stump, but it was camouflaged with the rest of its body hidden underneath the earth; and the last but most bizarre was one that resembled only straight lines for limbs and spheres for joints that it connected too. Inclusion to the last one were species from its neighboring galaxies.

"This is called the 'Dragon Dictionary'. Talon edition." Cas stepped back with arms behind, almost like a bestowment of a gift. "They're yours by the way, Acer. I'll even give you the digital copy later, when I'm not lazy."

"This is so nice," Acer examined the first book, the smell permeating but that didn't matter. It was somewhat heavy but it was just the covers. The pagers were so thin, and nice to the touch, while being easy to turn and don't stick two at a time. "Wow, this is really really nice." The cover page was a sketched version of the hardbound cover that had him gazing at it for a good while.

There were so many details captured in sketching; the depth of the scales, fluff of the serpent-dragon's hair, and even shading on the teeth. He missed doing art, "Cas, can we spend the day drawing traditionally? That would be my wish."

"Granted," Cas looked around the shelves for any blanks, empty journals, or sketch books. "But I don't have pens here. I'd go look for them if I wasn't a seven foot croc. Actually, how about I'll find us a book we could all draw on together. You get pens, and have Nero go up here with food, okay?"

"He's actually making pancakes right now." Acer shut the book and hopped off the bedding.

"That's pog," Cas found a journal and was making sure it didn't have anything on or in it. Whether content or any hidden features. But he paused as he was embraced by the dragon, which he embraced back and kissed the top of his head. "Happy Birthday again you dork."

"Thanks for everything so far, Cas." Acer took it all in at first, the warmth contrary to a crocodile's nature. The cold environment was not as apparent, but at some point he should also get his own jacket out so he could endure it; day just started after all.

"Of course Acer, looking out for my friends as always." Cas assured him.

After stepping out of the room, only leaving the door ajar, he went back to his bedroom first to grab a jacket. The crocodile's synthetic components and Nero's fluffy being kept themselves warm, which incentivised him to hug them more. But in his case, he put on his best jacket so they would want to hug him more too. As for those pens, his pack would have them because he planned to sketch out the environment and world he was going to.

He scoffed as he retrieved his backpack from underneath the bed because he totally forgot about it. It was one of the marvel's of Ctacic Mercenaries that he could bring into the world and not arouse suspicion; a 'seemingly endless' container where he stored two months worth of non-perishable supplies, extra clothing, tents, survival equipment and even weapons. And somewhere in it were his art supplies. It looked goofy on his open closet door's mirror, where his entire right arm was reaching somewhere further below than the base of his bag. Only then could he imagine what it would look like when his entire upper body was scrounging through electric lamps and a lost crate of ammunition. That last part was for a previous fighter he flew.

"There you are," Acer found the cylindrical polymer case that was full of his art supplies and holding it gave him a recollection of the times he drew as he grew up. The first artwork he drew was of a jet fighter he saw in a museum. The second of great significance was sketching the ocean, beach, and horizon of a landscape after he landed by the cliff edge on his fighter. And the next thing he wanted to remember was this moment.

He pulled himself out with the help of his wings and checked its contents by unzipping it. There was an overbearing mix of old erasers, pencil shavings, and lead that made him feel nostalgic rather than disgusted. Inside were drawing apparatus that were almost as old as he was. Some of the pencils had his name on it, poorly etched from a scissor blade. Erasers that had been poked a lot by those aforementioned pencils. And a pen that was 50% full but unsure if it wasn't dried out.

Acer stepped out, clutching the pencil case to his side as he descended the staircase. He could hear Cas thumping about in his room, loud thoughts that went over nostalgia like he did earlier. That meant the crocodile had old stories to show later. Going through the living room, Nero hummed in the kitchen while cooking on a propane stove where he heard the sizzle of bacon that got his tail wagging, hitting against the sofa repeatedly.

"Hey Acer," Nero waved at him with a spatula in hand. He transferred the sizzling cuts of pork onto a plate that already had pancakes on.

"Mmmmm, that smells good," Acer's stomach grumbled as the wonderful smell of honey glaze and cinnamon hit his nostrils. "Didn't know we had," he scanned the kitchen top full of ingredients. "Brown sugar, chocolate syrup, even chives, and a jug of maple as well. That's amazing." Nero was an excellent cook who made do with anything he could get, but this takes the pan-cake.

The skilled fluffy dragon exemplified it further by returning to the stove and using bacon grease as cooking fluid for the eggs. There was a carton of them closest to the stove, and he cracked two at a time twice without his fur ending up in the pan or on the yolk. "Went shopping with Yanix and Red last weekend. Figured to make you a cake but," he glanced over to the electric oven under the stove. "Can't make a proper cake. Well, I'm skilled enough to make a proper cake with the stovetop but I'd rather be conservative of our resources." And he knew what he meant, clarifying, "Outside of special occasions of course."

Acer knew for a fact that Nero's birthday would be next month, while Cas had his in the previous one. "That's a cool fact I just noticed." He said, "Cas hatched last month, I hatched today, and you hatch next month."

"But I've already hatched," Nero quipped. They both got a good chuckle out of it while Nero plated the four sunny side eggs beside the bacon and pancakes. "Can you get me another plate, please? Cas likes his scrambled."

"Got it," Acer set down his pencil case and searched for the cabinet that stored the dishes. Nero mixed the four remaining eggs on the pan as it cooked. Afterwards he found them in the overhead shelf next to the fridge, courtesy of the fluffy dragon pointing it out after the third try. He placed one on the table, just in time for the white and yellow fluffy dish to be served, still steaming and smoky with a scent of bacon on it.

"Thanks Acer," Nero cut the chives with scissors, garnishing it.

"Not a problem."

They both look in awe of Nero's handiwork. The plating of eight pancakes, next to several strips of bacon, and four sunny side up eggs. He added a pinch of pepper on top of each yolk, while Acer looked on with hunger.

"Can we also have some hot coco?" Acer felt the urge to dig in but that would be rude, even on his birthday. Instead, he thought about his question, especially with the backdrop of the harsh shower still pouring outside. A hot coco, or a cup of coffee, would be ideal, except Cas shouldn't be near coffee because he would pace throughout the night and no one got any sleep.

"As long as it's not coffee," Nero moved the pans aside and fetched the kettle from a nearby cabinet and filled it with water then put it on top of a lit stove.

"Agreed."

"So what's that thing with you?" Nero opposite of him, eyeing the pencil case.

"Art supplies. I know you like drawing so why don't you join us?"

Nero looked at the kitchen window. "Well, not like I got anything to do for the rest of the day. Posing as a student is weird. It's like being in college all over again."

"Getting straight-a's like you used to?"

"No, I don't give a shit now. I already got my diploma, don't need another one."

"Hah."

The two went on with small talk on their college experiences. That despite earning their degrees from different worlds, and some would say different backgrounds, all in all it's quite similar. Fair share of bad professors, drunken nights after partying too hard- well in Acer's case he was more of a witness to one that partaking in it, but helping out a friend who drank a bit too much was almost the same thing.

Laughter and conversation was cut moments after when the kettle whistled, and Nero got up to turn the stove off. He went to the pantry in the next room and came back with sachets of hot coco mix.

A brand that Acer wasn't familiar with, but instamixes weren't too alien for him. Sometimes he'd have an assortment of them from different worlds and he would bring it between jumping stars. Aereath had the best one so far because its marshmallows expanded to a sizable degree when it contacted hot liquid. "Is that from this world?"

"Mhm, Yanix said it's the best one." Nero got three large mugs from a standing holder next to the knife block, which he then fetched a knife and cut three sachets open for each mug. Both dragons smelled strong and artificial chocolate, but it wasn't too bad.

For Acer at least, he was used to it and this one would probably taste more organic than Earth's. He watched Nero pour its contents into each mug, sadly there were no marshmallows or any fancy bits though there was a lot of powder. It was a big mug but that's still a lot of powder for just one mug. That looked like half a mug's worth of coco powder from one sachet. The other ones that had their tops ripped off almost look massive.

"Nero, I just noticed that that's a lot of coco powder for one mug, what the fuck?"

"It's not going to be diluted at least," he pours into another mug. "Do you think this is the equivalent of an espresso shot for Cas?"

"Anything's a shot for Cas." He kept doubting if the sachets he saw were real. Acer went over and took an empty one and read its contents. Truly they were- pour it into a large mug until it was half full and then pour hot water until it was half. Give it a mix, it said, and then pour more hot water or room temperature milk if desired. "Maybe I should get the milk."

"Yes please, don't want it to spoil." As Nero filled the last mug.

The refrigerator was packed with leftovers, condiments, and fruit both from and beyond this world. Anything that wasn't here had been put in a box labeled as 'Imported'. Courtesy of Azenu and Cheez, none of these would expire in a month, hoping that the rain wouldn't go beyond a month. The milk, however, was from the weekly milkman that came in bottles. This batch was delivered two days ago, and the bottle was still cold enough to enjoy. He got it out and passed it to Nero whose tail grabbed it while he poured hot water into half of each mug.

"Thank you," Nero said as he let the contents buble as the liquid and powder mix. He stirred each mug with the same spoon until he didn't feel there were granules floating around or sticking onto it. It was a dark brown drink until a quarter of milk was added, and then a quarter of hot water to follow. "Milk's too cold, and I'm getting hungry myself so best to not keep me waiting."

"That's fair," Acer commented.

After the hot chocolates have been readied, still steaming and even frothing with foam on top, Acer grabbed the plates and both dragons ventured up the stairs. They were careful in their steps because the main breakfast plate was filled to the brim, and the mugs were almost at that amount too. Cas had been thumping around in circles from what they heard, making it more curious as to what the crocodile had been doing.

"What was he doing before you checked up on me?" Nero had Acer waiting for him to reach the top step, the glowing tail ready to assist just in case.

"He showed me some books about dragons, and looked for a journal of sorts where all of us could draw on."

"I think he's found you a library about dragons. Wanna bet our species' are in there?"

"Bet."

And both dragons walked towards the study, Acer opening it with one leg to see a table now in the middle of the room with three sizable chairs enough for them to sit comfily. Cas walked around them in wonder as he read a book in the palm of his hand.

Nero stood beside Acer, and they glanced at each other and back to the oblivious crocodile. Surely he would've known they were there just standing. Or did he want them to get his attention?

"I know you guys are there, I'm just wondering about something." Cas said. "We'll talk about that later. Let's have brekkie, aight?"

To their relief, they sighed out. And the crocodile stopped at the foot of the bed, which Acer only noticed then the ten stacks of five large books that covered it from headboard to foot. Both dragons placed the breakfast on the table that was a margin larger than the one in the kitchen. It had enough space for the crocodile to place a book in the middle, and Acer to place his art supplies on the side.

Cas sat on his chair, an office aesthetic that allowed him to spin in place and move around. A stark opposite of the rustic surroundings, but he would argue it made him comfortable and taking that debate does not result in any winners. Nor would discussing how he got any of the tables and chairs in the room even though the only other room here would be the bathroom.

Nero and Acer joined the crocodile who eyed the scrambled eggs, the former stating, "Cas, please don't deathroll the plates again. First time was funny, the next seven not so much."

Acer added, "It stopped after the fourth time for me."

"I'm not." Cas was about to dig in when, "Where're the fork and kni-"

Nero immediately got up and rushed, "Got it!" And they heard him dart down the stairs hurriedly.

"Here," the crocodile opened the book. "Go ahead." He smiled at Acer.

Acer opened his art case and got a green pencil. The first thing he sketched would be the outlines for his own self-portrait, right in the center of the book. He passed one to Cas, and despite the large fingers, was able to hold the drawing apparatus delicately.

"Thanks," he said, the crocodile sketching out his own insignia; a tall diamond with a circle inside. He's talked about this before: the Realm Key. One of the more coherent subjects he'd discussed. What he said, however, was a story for another time. Glancing over to Acer's more rigid work, he said to him, "Y'know, I was never good at doing that. Which is why I stuck to writing."

"Yeah, you told me that before," Acer chuckled.

Nero was running back up the steps, audibly gasping as he rushed through the door with three pairs of forks and knives.

"Thanks Nero," Acer smiled at the fluffy dragon sitting down and gasping.

"Did I miss anything?" He wheezed, slowly into a calming breath.

Cas shook his head, "Nope. Just doing art." The next thing Cas drew was an odd shape of curves and straight lines. Some jagged, all uneven.

"Ooooh, can I join?" Nero looked around for something to write with.

Acer immediately passed him one before he darted off, and the fluffy dragon started drawing a minified version of himself dabbing. In turn, Cas dabbed in front of them and both dragons groaned at this display of cringe, but they all ended it with laughter.

Nero finished adding the details on his sketch which incorporated more strands of fur on it. Acer finished the rendition of his head smiling, and saying 'Happy Birthday to me!' with a candlelit pancake in front. While Cas' was an uneven door, or well he called it a door. It had a lot of uneven lines and he said it would open to those who 'uninhibited their minds'.

They moved on from it, closing the book for a moment when their stomachs collectively grumbled. Cas procured a candle from his pocket which he had saved up for today except, like Acer's artwork, stuck it onto the pancake instead.

"Since this is half a cake, do we call it a 'ca'?" Cas joked and extracted a lighter from his pocket and put it aside for later.

"I think it should be called a pan, haha!" Acer proudly followed up, which Cas laughed as he bellowed and they gave each other a high five, against a groaning but humored Neroser.

And they dug into their first meal of the day. Nero had outdone himself surely. Bacons were tender and thick with a lasting undertone that gets sweeter with every chew. The sunny side eggs benefited from being cooked on that bacon fat because that same honey sweetness carried over. Yet it was a melt-in-the-mouth experience that left Acer wanting for more. He glanced at Cas who was licking his plate of scrambled eggs, wondering to himself how it tasted. Thankfully he didn't do a death roll on it or the table.

"I'll make some more when we get more eggs next time, okay?" Nero patted the croc's arm to put the plate down before he broke it.

"I wish I could use more magic here, fuck." Cas took a sip of the hot chocolate. "Mmmmm."

Acer was intrigued to try and got the other mug for him to sip on. It may not be the best one out there but it was better than most. A close second because it was very sweet when you drink it but relaxed itself after a while. And it kicked in the next sip when it was sweeter and warmer, making him drink it. Followed by a prolonged subtle dissipation of the taste after he was done and half a mug was left to drink. It must've been the cream that did that.

Nero was satisfied but not impressed, "I could definitely make this better. And I will make so much of it, I'm going to drown the crocodile in it."

"Yes please," Cas belched after finishing his drink in three swigs. "I'll designate a room in the ship for you to turn into a swimming pool."

Acer and Nero knew for a fact that it was very absurd to a point where Cas would authorize it. Shifting the conversation away, they were now fixated on the pancakes that had expertise all over it. There was a chocolate swirl in the light brown fluffiness of the dessert, which left the crocodile and scaled dragon salivating.

Cas lit the candle this time around, even though Acer himself could simply breathe on it. The croc said, "Sorry, force of habit. Forgot you're both dragons."

"That's alright," Acer smiled. Which widened when his friends started singing to him a birthday song.

Together they chanted, "Happy Birthday to you, happy bithday to you!" Clapping along to a childlike beat.

Acer was fixated on the candle as they sang, heart beating fast to the thought that he had good close friends to celebrate it with. Good food, good company, all the makings of a great birthday. And he blew the flame away to the erupting cheers of the crocodile and furred dragon.

The pancake did not stand a chance moments after, being ripped apart by knives and forks of hungry reptiles, including the furred dragon. Sweet and fluffy, the chocolate brings out a soft texture. Don't get them started on pairing it with the hot chocolate because the heat of the brown liquid further accelerated the already sweet flavors. It became tangy, and warmed them against the backdrop of an extremely rainy day.

Acer stood up and looked out the window, the weather only worsened. He took the last sip of his hot choco, standing in defiance against the storm. Nero and Cas stood beside him and said that they would help each other out as best they could. And they would get back to drawing after, with Cas telling stories of previous adventures.

This would be a day for Acer to draw with great detail in the future.

****