Moon didn't think she'd fall in love with someone. Actually, she did, but she didn't expect to fall for someone so soon-

And she certainly didn't expect it to be someone from another tribe.

But in actual fact, Moon didn't really like her tribe. Most of them hated her because of what she was and where she came from. The volcanic island was already seen clearly in everyone's minds, kind of like a lingering nightmare that wouldn't stop replaying over and over again.

Starflight, Stonemover and Fatespeaker were exceptions, of course. And Sunny, but she was mostly SandWing, so that didn't matter.

Moon had realized someone else liked Qibli too- she had only realized it once she peeked in Qibli's mind.

Umber.

Moon was shocked to say the least. A male dragon liking another male dragon? How weird was that? Even so, Moon kept her opinions to herself, respecting Umber for his preferences.

Qibli was something else.

His mind- always calculating- always trying to figure dragons out. He was one of the smartest dragons she'd ever seen and heard, and judging from his ticking mind, he was a complicated dragon to figure out.

Moon liked the way he fiddled with his amber earring when he thought no one was looking or he was just being nervous. She liked seeing him smile at everyone as if he believed in their own kindness, every one of them, even, well, Carnelian.

His sandy scales reminded Moon of the warm sun. Bright, shining and gave warmth to everything and everyone around him. Even the speckles of brown on his snout sprayed across like a shower of sunlight shining down from above. His tail would curl in protectively and arch dangerously, depending on his mood and how he felt. It was cute.

Moon had no trouble wondering why Umber liked Qibli.

Qibli- that name that triggered thousands of memories, behind them a flood of feelings and emotions Moon felt and withheld for him.

One day, the sky was a huge storm, whirling stray scrolls from their racks and toppling them from their places with windy arms. Dragons were to stay indoors, and Qibli was very upset.

"I hate the rain," he grumbled, his wings bumping into the rocky walls. "It's so cold and windy and wet- I hate the cold."

Moon nodded silently, afraid to say anything that might offend him. They kept walking through the stone walls, until a wind picked up again and whisked through the halls, whistling through them and out into the rain. Qibli's wings accidentally caught the current and he began to slide away backwards.

"Qibli!" Moon cried, lunging forward to grasp his talons. It was warm and radiated heat.

It fitted right into hers.

She pulled him towards her, fighting the force of the wind, before finally, the wind stopped still.

"I..." Moon took a deep breath. "That was scary."

"Yeah. Thanks." Qibli nodded vigorously, glanced around to risk another look and turned back quickly again.

Then the wind skidded to another storm and pulled them to the opposite direction. Moon couldn't stop in time, and they both slammed into the wall, stuck squeezed together in the enclosed tunnel.

"How do we get out?!" Moon yelled through the pounding rain that was stomping through her ears.

"I don't- Lemme-" Qibli firmly wrapped his wings around her, nearly making Moon faint.

His warm, warm wings. This is probably where I want to be for the rest of my life.

"Qibli?!" Moon yelled again.

"This way you won't get cold," Qibli hugged her tighter, twining her tail with his, avoiding the tail barb at the end. Warmth enveloped her in a shroud, followed by the large explosions in her heart.

"Qibli, I need to tell you something!" Moon shouted, curling into a small ball.

"What?!" Qibli shouted back, the wind stronger than ever.

"I really, really like you, Qibli!" Moon said, her voice rising above the winds.

Quiet surrounded both of them for a moment, the winds hurtling over them.

What if he rejects me, like Umber?

"I really, really like you too, Moon!" Qibli replied, his face shading a colour of orange. "In a romantic way!"

"Me too!" Moon was dizzy and faint. How is this real? This can't be- three moons-

The winds then slowed to a stop, stopping as suddenly as Moon's heart as

Qibli leaped against her

And pressed his lips to hers

And then he pulled away, gasping for air.

"Cold?" Moon said, breathless.

"Never," Qibli smiled again, slyly, and melted into her again.

(They skipped class that day.)