Page 52 of The Loneliest Dragon at Christmas
It’s Avery. It’s just Avery. Don’t panic.
But as the tail coiled around him, Jack found himself unable to keep the fear at bay. He tried to evade the tail, but it curled around him, pressing him with surprising force against the dragon’s large body.
The tail stilled, seemingly content now that Jack was placed beside the dragon.
Jack closed his eyes, trying to calm his breathing and racing heart.
It’s Avery. It’s just Avery. Avery isn’t scary. Avery isn’t dangerous. You just fucked him.
But it was easier to believe Avery wasn’t a threat when he was a tall human with cute freckles. In his dragon form, when he was at least twice as tall as Jack and who knew how many times as long, it felt a little harder to believe.
A rumble vibrated through Avery’s body. A puff of smoke rose from his snout. The smoke smelled different from that of the fire, sweeter and with a slight metallic tinge.
The dragon’s head slid across the floor towards Jack, and he opened his eyes. Avery’s dragon eyes stared at Jack.
For several moments, Avery didn’t move. Then the dragon’s head lifted. And tilted, in a movement so reminiscent of what Avery did in his human form that Jack almost laughed.
Avery stared down at Jack. Suddenly, the air shimmered. The dragon’s form grew less solid. His body warped and altered. The neck shortened. Wings retracted. The tail that wrapped around Jack withdrew, and the body behind him disappeared. Dragon limbs turned into human.
A naked Avery sat beside Jack on the carpet. “Sorry. I… I didn’t mean to. I just sometimes…when I sleep, I shift. I hope I didn’t scare you.”
Jack gave a shaky laugh. He scratched at his neck. “Honestly, you did a little.”
Avery’s eyes widened in distress.
“But just because I wasn’t expecting it,” Jack rushed out. “It was a little startling to wake up next to a dragon.” Jack placed his hands on Avery’s waist. “Next time, I’ll be ready.”
“Are you sure?” Avery swallowed. “I can…try not to shift.”
Jack pulled him close. “It’s fine.” He kissed Avery on his freckled nose. “You’re a lovely dragon.”
Avery smiled shyly. “Really?”
“Looking for compliments?” Jack chuckled.
Avery blushed.
“You are a magnificent dragon.” He stroked Avery’s locks.
Avery hummed and leaned into the touch.
“In fact, you can even shift back if you like.” Jack didn’t think it would scare him again, not if he expected it. “Honestly, I’m curious to get a better look at you as a dragon.” He hadn’t really gotten a proper look at Avery in his dragon form. He’d been too shocked.
He’d only ever seen dragons from a distance before when they flew far off in the sky. And it had probably just seen a strange bird.
Avery tilted his head. “You really don’t mind?”
“No.” Jack wrapped his arms around Avery. “I’m happy for you to be in whichever form you feel most comfortable in.”
“And will you sleep here, curled up next to me?” Avery’s voice sounded breathy.
Jack considered. The adrenaline of waking up next to a dragon had woken him up completely. “I’m not that tired. Maybe I’ll read for a bit.”
“You’ll read.” Avery sat up straight. “Will you read to me whilst I’m in my dragon form?”
Jack smiled. “If you like.”
Avery nodded rapidly. “Yes. I’d like. I can’t read as a dragon.” He bit his lip. A little whine escaped his lips. “I’ve always wanted someone to read to me when I’m a dragon.” He got up onto his knees. “Will you really read to me?”
