The cavernous lair was alive with the low hum of geothermal energy, the walls glowing faintly with the heat of the earth's core. Vesper stood near the edge of a molten river, his sleek, black-scaled form glistening under the fiery light. His wings, reminiscent of his Night Fury heritage, were folded neatly against his back, and his sharp, intelligent eyes scanned the surroundings with a mix of curiosity and caution. The air was thick with the scent of sulfur and ash, a reminder of the volatile world he now inhabited.

Rodan, the great fire Titan, loomed nearby, his massive frame radiating an almost unbearable heat. His obsidian-like feathers shimmered with an otherworldly glow, and his piercing eyes burned with an intensity that could rival the molten rivers below. But tonight, there was something different about him. His usual fiery bravado was replaced by a restless energy, his movements more erratic, his gaze more... desperate.

With a sudden burst of speed, Rodan closed the distance between them, his massive form pressing against Vesper with an urgency that took the younger dragon by surprise. Vesper stumbled slightly, his claws scraping against the rocky ground as he tried to steady himself. Rodan's voice, deep and resonant, rumbled through the air like the growl of an active volcano.

"Wanna show Prince what good I can do," Rodan purred, his tone low and sultry, though there was an unmistakable edge of need in his words. His glowing eyes locked onto Vesper's, and for a moment, the Titan's usual ferocity was replaced by something far more vulnerable. He leaned in closer, his breath hot against Vesper's scales, and whispered, "Please, Master... let me show you that I can be better than the Mohtra. I can serve you better, protect you better. Just give me the chance."

Vesper blinked, his mind racing to process the situation. He had always known Rodan to be fiercely loyal, but this... this was something else entirely. The Titan's behavior was erratic, his words laced with a desperation that Vesper had never seen before. He took a cautious step back, his wings twitching nervously as he tried to put some distance between them.

"Woah, easy there, bug boy," Vesper said, his voice light but tinged with unease. He chuckled softly, though it was more out of discomfort than amusement. His sharp eyes scanned Rodan's massive form, taking in the way the Titan's feathers bristled and his chest heaved with each labored breath. It didn't take long for Vesper to piece together what was happening. "You're... you're in heat, aren't you?" he asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and concern.

Rodan's expression shifted, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his fiery gaze before being quickly replaced by that same desperate determination. He nodded slowly, his massive head dipping low as he admitted, "Yes. But it's more than that, Master. It's not just the heat driving me. I want to prove myself to you. I want to be the one you rely on, the one you trust above all others."

Vesper sighed, his tail flicking restlessly behind him as he tried to steady his thoughts. The situation was complicated, to say the least. Rodan was a Titan, a force of nature, and yet here he was, acting like a desperate servant seeking validation. Vesper cared for Rodan, of course—he valued the Titan's loyalty and strength—but this was uncharted territory. The vulnerability in Rodan's eyes was both endearing and overwhelming, and Vesper wasn't sure how to navigate it without causing harm.

"Rodan," Vesper began carefully, his voice gentle but firm, "you don't have to prove anything to me. You're already important to me, heat or no heat. But this... this isn't the way."

Rodan's massive shoulders slumped slightly at Vesper's words, but the fire in his eyes didn't dim. If anything, it burned brighter, fueled by a mix of frustration and longing. "Then show me the way, Master," he pleaded, his voice trembling like the rumble of distant thunder. "Guide me. I'll do whatever it takes to earn your favor."

The cavern fell silent for a moment, the weight of Rodan's words hanging heavily in the air. Vesper could feel the intensity of the Titan's gaze, the raw emotion behind his plea. It was a lot to take in, but Vesper knew he couldn't dismiss Rodan's feelings outright. He took a deep breath, the heat of the molten river warming his scales as he tried to find the right words—words that would comfort without encouraging, that would reassure without leading Rodan down a path he wasn't ready to tread.

"Rodan," Vesper said finally, his voice soft but steady, "you don't need to earn anything. You're already valued, just as you are. But right now, you're not thinking clearly. Let's... let's take a step back, okay? We'll figure this out together, but not like this."

Rodan hesitated, his massive claws flexing at his sides as he processed Vesper's words. For a moment, it seemed like he might argue, but then he nodded slowly, his fiery gaze softening ever so slightly. "Okay, Master," he murmured, his voice tinged with resignation. "I... I trust you."

The tension in the cavern began to ease, though the air still felt charged with unspoken emotions. Vesper offered Rodan a small, reassuring smile, though his mind was already racing with thoughts of how to handle the situation moving forward. For now, though, he was content to let the moment pass, to give Rodan the space he needed to cool down—both physically and emotionally.

Rodan's jagged claws trembled as they sank deeper into the scorching sand, his obsidian scales glistening under the twin suns. A low, desperate growl rumbled through his chest.

"But I still... fuck..." His forked tongue flickered over serrated teeth, molten amber eyes burning into Vesper's. "Let me claim you, Master. Let me show you how a true mate handles-"

Vesper's taloned hand slammed against Rodan's heaving chestplate, pinning him against the dune. The older dragon's frills flushed deep violet as he leaned in, venom-drip tongue tracing the throbbing pulse beneath Rodan's jaw.

"Oh little ember," Vesper purred, smoke curling from his nostrils as their tailspikes tangled in the sand. "When will you learn?" His claw trailed down Rodan's quivering abdominal plates, drawing a sharp hiss. "Heat makes you reckless... and I make you beg."

The cavern walls shook as Rodan's obsidian wings snapped open with a crack like splitting stone, sending waves rippling across the molten pool. His chest heaved against the steam-choked air, talons scraping grooves in the obsidian shore.

"Another time," Vesper growled, flecks of liquid fire dripping from his jaw as he pinned Rodan's twitching tail beneath his scaled boot. "When you can control that..." A clawed thumb dragged along Rodan's ventral ridge, drawing a strangled keen. "...reckless flame."

Rodan's shuddering roar echoed through the geyser field as Vesper launched skyward, the downdraft from his crimson wings whipping the pool into a frenzy. The younger dragon's claws dug bloody furrows in the rock as he sank into the bubbling depths, pearlescent scales shimmering with unnatural heat. His labored breaths came in smoke-tinged pants, the water hissing where it met his thrumming arousal - each desperate stroke through sulfurous waters leaving trails of glowing bioluminescence in its wake.

Somewhere in the volcanic mists above, Vesper's predatory chuckle rolled like thunder. "Patience, little spark... The hunt always tastes sweeter... Marinated."