You crawl away, crying from the pain of your wounds. It’s dark out... maybe close to midnight, and you’re all alone.

I hear your whimpering in the distance. I don’t waste a second getting up and running into the woods.

I look around, listening for you. My heart beats hard, I start to panic, looking under rocks, and in the trees. I scream your name, hoping for a response. I listen hard, tears falling from my eyes, I fear I’m too late.

I hear a grown, and the crackle of dried leaves. I flap my wings hard, to get a better view of the forest below.

My heart stops, I spot you, unmoving, laying down in a small clearing. I quickly descend toward you, hitting the ground with a “bang!”

I say your name softly, hoping for a response. As I prod your small body with a claw gently.

You say my name back, and look me in my eyes. The two orange oceans look back at you with worry, and fear, but also joy.

I smile at you and stick my paw underneath you, and bring you up to my chest. I purr as you come in contact with my blue scales. I look down at your injured body. You’ve got several small gashes down your legs. The blood seeping through your tattered pants. One of your arms appears to be unscathed, but the other is broken, and covered in bloody scratches. Your chest goes up in down harshly, as though there might be internal damage. Your shirt is dirty, and covered in blood. Tears begin to fall from my eyes, looking at what they’ve done to my friend.



“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there, but I’m here now... will you let me help you?” I ask softly.



You try to speak, but you’re too weak, so you simply nod slightly.

I’ve done this a far few times, and you’ve grown to enjoy it as much as me. I know you aren’t even the slightest bit afraid of me, so I take you off my chest and bring you too eye level.



“I’ve got you... you’re going to be okay... I love you” I say as another tear slides down my scaly cheek.



You’re still crying from all the pain, but also happiness, knowing that you’re safe now, and that I’ll heal you. You mouth “love you too.”



I open my mouth wide. You see everything in the bright moonlight. Strands of saliva hanging from the roof of my mouth shimmering. My sharp, pearly white fangs look menacing, but you know you don’t have to worry about them. You feel warm breath wash over your cold, injured body. You can see my tongue wiggle a bit in anticipation, and my throat pulse, awaiting your arrival.

I place you on the middle of my tongue and close my mouth. I move you around gently with my tongue, getting you good and coated in my saliva. You can already feel your wounds begin to heal, and this is just the beginning. I realize my mouth is a little full of slobber, and I’d rather not drown you. So I pin you too the roof of my mouth with my tongue, and swallow all the extra saliva. I set my tongue back down and let you rest for a second.



“Are you wready” I ask with you still on my tongue.



You rub my tongue affectionately, meaning “yes.” I tilt my head back and lift my tongue. I open my gullet as wide as I can. You slide effortlessly down my slick tongue. I feel you enter my throat, and swallow with a loud “gulp!” I rub my finger down my neck, helping your little bulge enter me. Once past my rib cage, I let out a sigh, enjoying my meal, and knowing that my friend is safe.

I feel you land in my harmless stomach, and start walking home slowly. I don’t want to move around too much, after all you are trying to sleep.

After the long day you had, and with the sounds of my heartbeat, and deep breathing, you begin to drift. However it’s not until I start humming you a lullaby that you let sleep take you...