Bakugou's PoV

The meeting had ended relatively quickly after Red put his foot down. The half dragon had smilingly fulfilled all the tasks the Order had given him. It almost seemed as if they had forgotten that he did it out of kindness and not because they actually had power over him. They had literally shrunk into themselves when they had seen him in his half dragon form. His anger had given even me goose bumps, and that was really something.

Even during the rest of the meeting, Red had not shifted back, clearly demonstrating that he would not put up with everything. His face remained grim as the details for the mission were discussed, and he only nodded a little now and then when he agreed with someone. I, on the other hand, had a grin on my face for the rest of the time. In my opinion, the Council had only received what it deserved. And so I returned Mr. Dracoon's frowning looks only with a superior smile.

We wouldn't leave until tomorrow morning. There was no hurry as the attack was already over and nobody knew if and when the next one would happen. We should only get an impression of the situation, ask people if possible and slowly approach the delicate issue. I was glad that only Taran and Telana came from the Order. It wasn't that I was very interested in the opinions of the others, but from the Order I would most easily accept them as allies.

When the meeting ended, Red had demonstratively grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the room before the others could even get up.

Silently, we left the village of the order and went up the hill on the small trail. I watched Red from the side. A deep crease had formed between his eyebrows and he looked grim. He had still not returned to his human form and I could almost feel his thoughts racing. I pressed his hand briefly and firmly to get his attention. He looked up surprised, as if he had suddenly remembered that I was still there. His gaze became a little softer when his eyes found mine, but the crease between his eyebrows remained.

Now I frowned too. Yes, the behaviour of the Council had also made me furious, but in the end I was not particularly interested in their opinion anyway. What kept him so upset?

"Spit it out, Red. What's the matter?"

The half dragon sighed and struggled a little to find the right words. "It was absolutely inappropriate how Mr. Dracoon behaved towards you. Even if you don't belong to the order ... how can they not recognize your value? You are a ten times better swordsman than Mr. Harlek," he growled.

I shrugged my shoulders. "For them I'm a dragonslayer and they have made it their business to protect the half dragons. For them I'm from the enemy camp," I said without worrying.

Red growled. "You were a dragonslayer. Can't they see how much I need you?"

A little smile played around my lips at his last words. "I think you made that clear to everyone today."

Red was silent and lowered his head, again deeply lost in thought. For a while I let him ponder, but just before we reached our house, I lost my patience. I stopped and forced him to stop as well.

"There's more to it, Red. What's really worrying you?", I asked gently and looked for his gaze.

His eyes wandered unsteadily over the surroundings behind me, before he returned my gaze uncertainly. "I ... am afraid that at some point you will not want to stay here anymore because of the council. You really help me immensely, but let's be honest: You aren't somebody who can sit idly by in the long run. What if I had to choose between you and peace? I don't think I would be selfless enough for that decision," he murmured, and I saw tears shimmering in his eyes.

A little laughter escaped me as I let go of his hand just to hold his face with both hands. A tear was about to run down his cheek, but I carefully wiped it away with my thumb.

"Red," I said seriously. "I love this place. I love our house. But above all, I love you. I don't give a shit about the opinion of this council or Mr. Dracoon. Tch. As if I let them get me down. No, I don't care what they say. I'll not remain inactive in your mission either and will find my task. I'll stay by your side."

Red snorted and laughed a little, but still seemed insecure.

"Why do I have to keep telling you I won't leave you?" I asked with a frown. "What makes you so insecure?"

"I can't exactly pinpoint it," he whispered and looked down. "But when we met, I was a different human. Yes, I felt like a human being. At the time of our first encounter I had not shifted even once. I always held my dragon side back a little for self-protection. But I am a half dragon and it feels so good to be able to show it openly." He faltered briefly and swallowed hard before continuing. "I'm becoming more and more what you used to hunt and hate from the bottom of your heart."

I stared at him in disbelief. "Are you fucking serious?" I asked finally, perhaps a little too sharply. Red looked away and chewed on his lower lip. Obviously, it had cost him a lot of courage to say that.

I just shook my head with a little humorless laugh. "Look at me," I finally growled. The half dragon forced himself to look me in the eyes. "You. Are. Beautiful. Whether you're as a human being or as a dragon. And especially as a half dragon. I have left my past as a dragonslayer behind me. It's about time you do too."

He nodded hesitantly. "Then there's only one more thing I have to tell you."

I sighed. "Go ahead."

"You know half dragons have both human and dragon qualities, right? Well ... dragons have an extremely long life span," he said quietly.

My eyes got big when I realized what he wanted to tell me. I swallowed hard. The idea of getting old while Red remained youthfully young was ... frightening. I nodded thoughtfully.

"It's not certain," said Red quickly, who must have seen the insecurity in my eyes. "According to Taran, the Order has not fully explored the half dragons. What is certain is that different half dragons have inherited different characteristics, and that there are half dragons that have an extremely long life span." Again he avoided my gaze. "I think you should know this before you promise to stay with me again. That's a pretty hard one."

There was a short pause in which I tried to find the right words. "That all burdened you a lot, huh?" I asked gently. Red nodded and looked me carefully in the eyes. I smiled. "I promise you, Red. I will stay with you," I said seriously.

And now, finally, the familiar smile played around the lips of the half dragon. I buried a hand in his hair and dragged him to me to place my lips on his. He returned the kiss intimately, moved his lips carefully against mine and demonstrated his love with each of his gentle movements.