Hiding.

That was what dragons were best at. They have stayed hidden for hundreds of thousands of years, out of human sights.

Hiding was a sport, especially with all the new human developements. Humans are smarter and more expanded. They crawl every inch of the planet except the hottest places and the coldest place and they still haven't found home in the clouds or under water.

Dragons are similar to humans in the way of adapting to new surroundings.

However, there were so few dragons left. Some went years without seeing others of its own kind. Very few dragons traveled in multiples. Only the smaller, stealthier dragons that lived in less human populated areas traveled in pairs or small groups.

Alfred was a lone dragon. He lived on a mountainous plain that humans named The Rocky Mountains. Alfred thought that to be quite the understatement after living there his whole life. Four-hundred-twenty-eight years he's roamed the mountains with few occasional visitors. Alfred doesn't like leaving his home unless need be. He's seen the Great Plains and the Great Lakes. Within the Great Lakes he met a small Dragon named Matthew and a smaller dragon named Kumajiro. He's flown over all oceans and met a few Sea Dragons. He's met a few Ice Dragons, and there was one dragon from the cold heart of Russia he didn't get along with. He enjoyed hanging out with Sand Dragons, also known as Desert Dragons, and he liked the Forest Dragons.

But, within a few days, Alfred would be back home, nestled in his cave high in the Rocky Mountains.

Now, being a Dragon, Alfred loved sleep. Dragons could sleep from days to years if they wanted. Alfred often slept for a month at a time.

One day, his month-long nap was disturbed two weeks in.

Thuds and crumbled and squaks woke him. Alfred raised his head and sniffed.

Blood.

Dragon blood.

Alfred bolted out of his cave, wide awake. He looked around, sniffing the cold air. A dragon bleeding in the middle of winter. By the scent of the other dragon, they weren't used to the cold. They could die in minutes. Alfred spotted a flash of golden and green scales, then launched himself off the flat rock. His wings fluttered in the cold air and he dodged treetops. A few mountain goats bleated and scattered as Alfred landed nearby the injured dragon.

"Hey!"

The small dragon's head lashed around, green eyes wide. He then bared his teeth and hissed, spreading his wings threateningly.

Alfred raised his head and the bends of his wings where his wing-talons jutted out. "You're injured."

"Back off!" The small dragon snapped, his scales shuddering in anger and pain. "I don't need your help or your pity!"

The larger dragon snorted. "You are in need of my help. Any hungry dragon or curious human could find you." Starving dragons were known to eat their own kind, but only if they were weak and couldn't fight back. It was seen more as mercy than murder or cannibalism  to other dragons. "Also, you're on my territory." The smaller dragon's wings dropped and his eyes widened again. "You have to do as I say. Come to my cave."

The small dragon lowered his head and sauntered closer to Alfred. It was an unspoken rule between the dragons. If you intrude on another dragon's territory - accidentally or not - you have to do as they say until you leave, mostly because a dragon's territory was small and all they had.

Once in Alfred's large cave, the small dragon was pushed into laying down. He still shivered despite the warmth of the cave. Alfred huffed and raised his head. "Stay here. I'll be back." The small dragon nodded, holding his wounded arm.

Just as said, Alfred returned, a mouth full of tree branches. He set them down in front of the small dragon. "Here." Alfred sat and breathed in deeply. He lowered his head to level with the branches, and breathed out. Sparks and flickers spewed from his mouth and onto the branches. He had to start warming the smaller dragon, but slowly so his body could adjust easier.

The fire flickered and hummed as it built up, slowly consuming the branches. Alfred sauntered over to the small dragon and grabbed the injured arm. The small dragon whimpered, but didn't pull away. Alfred sniffed the deep, still bleeding wound. "This is going to burn, but it'll help." The small dragon tilted his head, then wailed as Alfred blew fire over it. He tried pulling his arm away, but Alfred had a firm grip he couldn't break.

Once the flame ceased from Alfred, he released the small dragon's arm. He whimpered and cradled his arm.

Alfred lay on the other side of the fire. "What's your name?"

The small dragon rested his head on the warm stone. "Arthur..."

"Mine's Alfred." The young dragon knead his claws against the stone. "How's your arm?"

"The burn is fading."

"Good."

... Not exactly the best meeting.

~

"So you're a submissive?"

Arthur looked up at Alfred, surprised. "You... Have a strong nose..."

Alfred snorted. "You're about to start heat. It's not difficult."

Another thing about dragons. Since there were so few, it was difficult to breed. A new gene developed, giving even male dragons the ability to reproduce  with other male dragons. However, they produced fewer offspring.

Arthur gulped and ducked his head. "I hadn't noticed..."

Alfred huffed. "You stay here during your heat. I'll go travel."

"But-!"

"No. You're still on my territory." Arthur shut his mouth and nodded. "You'll stay here. I'll be back once you're heat's over." Arthur nodded again. "Then we'll talk when I get back."

~

When Alfred returned, his cave reeked of heat. He swished his tail. "I'll fix that later." Alfred sauntered into his cave, fluttering his wings and swishing his tail to spread his scent as he made his way to Arthur.

The small dragon slept peacefully, but trembled slightly, wrapped in his own wings from the cold. Alfred purred and lay beside Arthur. Alfred curled his tail around Arthur and rested his head on top of Arthur's smooth back. Arthur relaxed, nuzzling into Alfred's warmth.

Alfred closed his eyes, spreading his wing over Arthur to keep him warm. "Sleep well."

~

Arthur discovered Alfred's childlike side not long after his heat. Alfred loved playing in the snow, despite being a dragon with the ability to breathe fire. Very few dragons had that ability now.

Arthur would watch Alfred bury his head and paws in the snow, then popped up, blue eyes sparkling. Alfred pranced on the mountainside, roaring happily as he played.

Eventually, Alfred peeked above the trees up at Arthur and bounced on his paws.

Arthur enjoyed the sight.

~

Arthur wasn't so sure he wanted to leave. His arm had fully healed now, but Alfred was so kind and sweet.

"Are you okay?"

Arthur looked up at Alfred. Alfred sat in front of him, concern in his eyes. "What's wrong?"

Arthur sighed and looked away. "I... My arm is healed... I should thank you for caring for me..."

Alfred tilted his head, wondering why Arthur was so sad. Then he perked up. "You're still in my territory. You're not leaving any time soon."

~

Alfred kept his eyes set on the rock furnace he built around the round object inside. He occasionally huffed on the rocks, fire crackling within.

"Alfred. It's not going anywhere," Arthur purred as he woke. He shuffled over and curled up beside his mate.

The younger dragon pouted, rubbed his cheek against his mate's. "I know, but I have to keep them warm. It's winter, and if they get even a little cold, they'll die."

Arthur sighed, nuzzling against Alfred. "Then we'll keep them warm." Alfred nodded.

~

Arthur purred as he lay on the ledge, watching Alfred play with their newly hatched cub. She wobbled, furiously and unevenly flapping her wings as she trampled through the rocky terrain after her father. Arthur sniffed the air and froze. He raised his head and sniffed again.

"Alfred..."

The larger dragon raised his head, their cub clinging to his muzzle. "Yeah?"

Arthur stood and waved his tail. "Humans..."

Alfred's blue eyes hardened, but he grabbed Adeline and cradled her in his paw as he hurried into the cave. "To the back. They won't want to go that far." Arthur nodded and squeezed through all the way to the back of the cave.

"Daddy?" Adeline curled her short tail around one of Alfred's claws. "What's a human?"

Alfred nuzzled her and curled up with Arthur. "Small, but dangerous creatures. They can never know we exist."

Adeline nodded. "Okay, daddy." She curled up between her parents, hidden under their wings. Alfred listened to make sure the humans didn't come close.

"Don't be scared, Adeline," Arthur whispered, rubbing his muzzle against her cheek. "They won't hurt you with your father and I around." Adeline purred, nestling against her mother.

~

Alfred looked up, sniffing the air. The scent of blood overwhelmed his nose as a mountain goat dangled from his jaws. Slowly and quietly, Alfred slunk through the trees, then growled as he spotted more humans. He hurried up the mountain without being spotted or heard by the humans, and slithered into his cave.

Arthur looked up from playing with their growing daughter. "Alfred? What is it?"

The larger dragon set the goat down. Take this to the back of the cave. Adeline, go with your mother."

Adeline stopped playing with Arthur's tail. "More humans?" Alfred nodded, shooing his family back. "Are you going to distract them?"

"Yes, now follow your mother."

"Alfred, be careful." Arthur rubbed Alfred's cheek, then scooped up the goat.

"I'll be right back."

~

Alfred roared and thrashed in the chains as they dragged him. He snapped one band, but two more were thrown and tightened around him. He's distracted them, taking them away from his family dozens of times. He's spotted once, and humans are on him instantly.

Adeline wailed from their cave. Alfred's head jerked up, seeing Arthur trying to bring Adeline back inside. "Leave!" Alfred screamed to them. "Go! Far away where they'll never find you!" Arthur froze, eyes wide as he watched humans drag his mate away. "Leave!"

~

Chains held Alfred down in the small, dark exhibit. The humans bound something around his mouth and they did something to his claws. Alfred was defenseless and could barely move. Small humans looked through the transparent wall in awe, their parents having similar expressions.

If Alfred protested and struggled against the humans that entered the exhibit, they'd burn him or whip him, or tear out a scale. They fed him frozen meat, an it wasn't enough. They gave him some water, but he was afraid to drink it.

One day, a small human, very small, somehow snuck into his exhibit. Alfred tried pulling away as older humans screamed from the other side of the transparent wall.

The small human giggled and reached up. Its small hand brushed over his muzzle. Alfred froze, his eyes wide. The tiny being pet and hugged him, speaking and making joyful noises.

Alfred slowly relaxed as the older humans calmed down and enjoyed the gentle touch of the small human. Maybe some humans weren't so bad.

~

Some time later, Alfred couldn't keep track being kept locked in an exhibit without so much as a glance to the sky, Alfred was forced into a human transportation and was later shoved into another exhibit.

This exhibit was different. It was huge compared to the other one. He had room to fly. He had a cave. He had trees and boulders and he could see the sky.

Alfred no longer had the thing wrapped around his mouth and no longer had chains holding him down.

A small squeak came from just outside the exhibit. Alfred puffed and looked down. On the other side of the metal netting, that small human was there. They grinned up at him. They started to speak, although Alfred didn't understand. Alfred sauntered along the side of the exhibit, the little human following him and still talking. Alfred purred. The little human reminded him of his little Adeline. Always happy and always talking. Alfred looked up and deflated. He won't be able to leave. Not for a long time.

~

Alfred was glad that he was the only dragon found, but he hated that he was still shown as a prize. He learned the human language, so he now understood the human boy that'd visit him everyday and all the people that'd come to watch him.

It's been years since he's been free. Not long for a dragon, but it was too long. He wanted to see Arthur and Adeline. He knew that if Arthur thought he was dead, he could choose a new mate.

"Morning, Flame!" His name given to him by the human boy that called himself Davie. "You must really be the only dragon left. None can be found anywhere." Alfred hummed, the tip of his tail swishing through the grass. Davie shoved his hands in his pockets. "I thought you had a mate and a hatchling."

Alfred purred, laying his head on his paws.

"Do you?"

Alfred shrugged and shuffled his wings.

Davie's eyes lit up. "That's great! So you're not alone!" He then saddened and slumped. "That's gotta suck... Not being able to see them. If I had a kid with my girlfriend and I was taken from them... I can't imagine."

The dragon huffed, blowing hot air onto the human. Davie laughed, blocking his face. "Man! Your breath reeks!" Alfred chuckled and raised his head. "I know. You don't like Daisy. Why not?"

"Because she smells likes other humans," he muttered, but all Davie heard were guttural, grumbling noises. Davie chuckled and shook his head.

"I can't understand you, Flame." Davie stood back up and climbed into the exhibit. "Hey... Do you think I could find your family?" Alfred hummed, letting the young human lean on him. "It'll probably be very hard. People searched your cave dozens of times, but they were long gone."

Alfred made a noise of relief. Davie then looked up at Alfred. "I swear, Flame, that I won't tell anyone I know there's more. I also swear that one day you'll be able to see your family again."

Alfred purred and rubbed his muzzle against Davie's side. Davie laughed. "You're welcome, Flame! Dude, you're super hot!"

~

Alfred started to see less and less of Davie and more and more of other humans. He started hiding in his cave whenever he'd see a large group of the seemingly harmless beings.

Alfred was starting to think Davie forgot about him.

"Flame! Flame, I know you're in here, you have no where to go!"

The dragon perked up and dragged himself out of the cave. Davie grinned, hands on his hips. He was an adult human now. Alfred missed little Davie.

"Guess what?" Alfred made an intrigued noise and lowered his head. Davie's grin only spread. "I found them, Flame. I found your family."

Alfred froze up, eyes wide as he stared at the human. He made a soft noise. "Yeah... Well, more like they found me, but-whoa!" Alfred roared and jumped, wings shuddering giddily. Davie laughed, holding onto a nearby boulder to stay upright. Alfred launched into the air and flew in a tight circle before landing in front of Davie, gleeful noises bubbling from his chest.

Davie reached up and pat Alfred's nose. "I'll take you to them."

~

Alfred bounced on his paws, excitedly, neck stretched and head swishing from side to side. His nose had weakened from being locked up in the first exhibit and being hurt, so he couldn't smell for his mate and cub unless they were nearby. Davie snorted at the childish dragon.

"Geez, Flame. You're going to scare them away with how excited you are."

Alfred huffed, grumbling at Davie. A soft, distant roar caught his attention. This caused Alfred to snap his head up. He opened his mouth, a chocked noise escaping before he roared back. The dragon's wings shuddered and his tail flicked as he stood still, eyes searching over the distance. Alfred roared again.

Not another response. Alfred made a whimpering noise, claws digging into the earth. Davie pat his leg. Alfred sucked in a breath and roared again. A sad, desperate roar. His wings ached, so he wouldn't be able to fly longer than a minute to search for them.

Alfred's shoulders drooped. "Where'd they go?"

Davie looked up at the sad, shaking noise that came from Alfred. "I'm sorry. Maybe I scared them away last time I was here..."

Alfred whined and lowered his head to gently rub his nose against Davie. Davie sighed, gently petting Alfred.

The two stood still for a moment, listening to small animals scuffle around in the snow. Alfred blew out warm air to keep Davie from freezing.

A soft roar came from the distance. Alfred and Davie looked up. Alfred responded. A response to Alfred came heartbeats later. The large dragon bounced on his paws, eyes lighting up. He roared, spreading his shaking wings.

Two roars sounded as they neared and two figures emerged from the clouds. Alfred leapt giddily, calling out to them. He dashed further out into the snowy field as the two landed. "Arthur!"

The smaller dragon cried to him in return, roughly meeting him. Arthur tackled Alfred into the snow, furiously rubbing against him. Another small dragon joined the mix.

"Daddy! I missed you!" Adeline nuzzled against her father as Arthur relaxed under Alfred's wings.

Alfred purred, rubbing his muzzle against Arthur's. "I've missed you, too." Arthur purred in return, curling their tails together.