Sebastian returned to the meeting, but couldn’t fully focus as Obsidian’s confession replayed in his mind repeatedly. The expression of grief was practically burned into his mind. The unshed tears that had sparkled in the dragon’s eyes. It couldn’t have been a lie. And, damnit, Seb didn’t know what to do about it.

Maybe there was a spell or a potion or something that could fix whatever was keeping him in human form. Or maybe Obsidian would be stuck like this for the rest of his life. Seb didn’t have enough magic knowledge to be sure. Not to mention his limited knowledge of dragons.

But he didn’t know if he could really share this information with anyone. It seemed that he’d been the first person Sid told, and telling the others felt like it might be a betrayal of trust.

He was brought out of his thoughts by Edmund’s hand suddenly resting on his shoulder. His boyfriend’s expression was concerned and questioning, and all Seb could do was try to reassure him with a smile.

“What happened with Obsidian?”

“They… I’m not sure if I can talk about it.”

Ed pursed his lips and nodded. “Is it something bad?”

Sebastian shook his head. “Nothing that endangers us, at least I don’t think it does.”

Edmund nodded. “Alright. Maybe you should talk to Nick then?”

Seb perked up. Nick seemed to be the person closest to Obsidian, so it wouldn’t be a betrayal to talk to him. Especially not if he could figure out a way to help the dragon.

“You’re a genius.”

“I know, but thank you.”

Sebastian rolled his eyes but gave Ed a quick peck on the cheek before he went to find his parents. Since the meeting had come to an end, people had sort of gone off to different parts of the house. The Loreleis had stayed talking to Hayden and Persephone, and Lyida had gotten themselves pulled into playing a boardgame with Luke and Daisy.

Seb assumed that the elves had either gone to talk privately among themselves or decided to turn in for the night. And his parents had gone with Garret to the kitchen for some coffee and tea. All three of them turned to him as he entered, and the expression on his mom’s face made him wonder if he was in trouble.

“Why didn’t you tell us that you’re finally dating Edmund?”

“I- it only happened this morning. Or last night, I guess. I promise I was going to tell you-”

Before he could say anything, Sebastian found himself engulfed in a hug. “Oh, nevermind. I’m so glad you’re together darling.”

“Thanks mom.”

Emily pulled back and held Sebastian’s face with both her hands. “It took you long enough to get together, but please don’t make me a grandma just yet.”

“Mom!”

“Em, be nice.” Nick scolded, despite the amused look in his eyes. “I’m very happy for you too, Buddy. You both deserve all the love you can give each other.”

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Sebastian smiled. “Thank you.”

It was nice to have his parents’ approval officially. He knew he was really lucky to have parents that actually gave a shit about him in the first place. And the fact that they were always supportive and understanding was something he would always be grateful for. If they hadn’t liked his relationship with Eddie, he didn’t know what he would have done.

But he had other things he needed to focus on.

“Um, Nick, could I talk to you about something? Privately?”

The three adults exchanged glances, then Nick nodded and Emily and Garret excused themselves from the kitchen with their coffees. Nick took his teacup and sipped at it as he motioned for Sebastian to begin.

“It’s about Obsidian.”

“Oh? I noticed they disappeared at some point. Is he okay?”

“Well… he said he’s… stuck in his human form. His powers aren’t working properly.”

Nick sighed. “Ah. that.”

“You knew then?”

“I did. I’ve been looking into it along with what happened to Kerkenstar. I asked him to be patient, but I can imagine how powerless he must feel.”

Sebastian nodded. “Were you guys friends?”

“Hmm, kind of. We were more friends through your dad than anything else. The elves barely tolerated humans, let alone dragons. But Tristan never cared about such things.” Nick fondly recalled.

“Oh? How did dad befriend them?”

“I don’t know the full details of what happened, but your dad came home with a huge grin and no eyebrows.” Nick laughed at the memory. “Even Victoria’s rage at the eyebrow situation didn’t smack that grin off his face.”

Seb smiled in amusement. “Gee. Was dad always that reckless?”

“Oh, he was the worst. And the fact that he came into his magic at a young age only worsened things. He ended up causing a lot of fires. And floods. And one time, a stampede of baby chickens.” Nick recalled.

“Baby chickens?”

“He’d meant to make a bunch of doves for his cousin’s wedding. She said the gesture was sweet, but made him promise not to do anything on the actual day of the wedding.”

It occurred to Sebastian then, that his parents had a whole life they'd left behind. Family, friends, a home. And now, the whole world that held that home was destroyed, leaving just six survivors.

There was a bittersweet light in his eye that he always had when talking about Seb's dad. But talking about things, the way they once were, seemed to make Nick happier than he'd been since they got home from the… incident.

“I think Sid was right.” Nick commented, and when Sebastian tilted his head in confusion, he added. “You are a lot like your father. And not just in looks.”

Seb wasn’t sure what to say or if he should say anything. So instead, he opted to stay quiet as Nick continued with that bittersweet look burning bright in his eyes, even as they stared intently into his teacup.

“There were very few humans allowed to live in the dimension. I was lucky to have been born into a family of seers. We were deemed useful and could live under the protection of the royal family in the castle. Even though I had a court position, our friendship was unconventional; our courtship even more so. But Tristan was stubborn when he put his heart into something.

“Life wasn’t easy, but it was nice. But then… then I had a vision. I needed to leave the dimension, and… he came with me. Despite everything we were leaving behind – everything he was about to lose – his stubborn, loving heart would not let me go alone.”

Nick looked up from his tea, eyes a little wet now from unshed tears. Seb felt quite emotional himself. But Nick continued.

“You are just like him, in that aspect. You’ve dedicated yourself, your heart, to the people around you. Edmund especially. Tristan was the first one of us to point out the feelings between you both. He joked for a bit about locking you away in a tower so you didn’t have to grow up and leave us, but I know he would be happy for you. He’d be so proud of how you turned out.”

Sebastian realised he was crying now as Nick wrapped him in a tight hug. Even though he wished he could have heard those words from his dad, he was happy to have Nick tell him these things. He was so very grateful to have the parents he did.

And at that moment, he made a promise to himself. He’d find a way to help Obsidian. If only because he was once his dad’s friend. And Sebastian was too much like his dad to give up.