Dragon Boyfriend: Deiphobos 2 (complete)

Female Reader x Male Monster (both cis)

Deiphobos’ was built for the population of the whole island. While his chambers are at the very peak, the lower levels were made as a place for gathering, learning, sharing, as well as housing all the dragons that once lived here. All your life you assumed it was a mountain or volcano. No one went near it anymore, so the paths that once led inside have become overgrown and impassible. They were marked off as dangerous and left alone for ages.

Just below Deiphobos’ chamber is an archive filled with books, scrolls, and maps, and below that an amphitheater filled with seats. It goes on like that, layer after layer, until the kitchens. There are several stoves lined up along the walls, old and in desperate need of cleaning, but the stoves and equipment are still in working order, made entirely of cast iron.

“I remember when there were people coming through here at all times,” Deiphobos muses nostalgically.

The knives on the wall are rusted, which is a shame because they looked like very beautiful pieces. “I had always assumed dragons were inhospitable.”

“Some were. They wanted more power and more of the gem isles. But there were more dragons who simply wanted a place to roost, considering how we grew on Grattertock.” Deiphobos comes up behind you, blowing onto the stoves to disperse some debris.

“Rough place?”

“From what I remember.” he steps back as you start to clean. “It’s been so long, and I have slept since then.”

You smooth oil over the cast iron to clean it, rubbing away the rust that has built up on the surface. You take the ash aside, dumping it out and stocking the stove with fresh new coals. Once you get the stove clean, you start setting up your workstation with the spices you brought from home and the cookware your family sent with you.

“I have to get used to this new stove, so I’m going to start off by making some bread.” You turn to look back at Deiphobos. “Once I understand it, I’ll be better able to cook my family’s recipes.”

Deiphobos tilts his head to the side. “This is much more involved than I expected.”

“My family have all been chefs,” you say proudly. “Considering how my cooking was so familiar to you, I’m almost certain my ancestors used the same recipes. Although I’ve never had to make enough to feed a dragon.”

Deiphobos chuckles. “You don’t need to worry about feeding me. As long as there is heat, I don’t not need to eat like you would assume. I eat simply because I enjoy it.”

“How lucky.” You take out the ingredients you’ve been able to bring. At most, you have worked in very few kitchens, all of them you know intimately. You’ve gotten used to the feeling of being able to work without thinking. This is different, wholly new. You expected some trial and error getting used to this new kitchen, but it almost feels like home. The layout feels almost second nature. Eventually you have the bread rising and covered with a cloth. As you step back from the counter to allow it to rise, you look back at Deiphobos watching.

“It’ll be some time now. I like to let it rest as long as possible so the bread won’t be so dense when it is baked.”

Deiphobos lifts his head. “You’re free to do as you please here. I just ask you don’t go below the ground level.”

“Why? Is there a dark secret I shouldn’t be seeing?”

“No, it's dangerous. You could fall into the underground river and get trapped in the caves.” He says this all so seriously it actually makes you nervous.

“That would be trouble,” you murmur.

Deiphobos rises. “My home is your home, so use it as you see fit. Find your own comfort here.”

This is a strange notion to you. Having worked with the same family for a decade and never being allowed into most of the house, you’re used to having limitations. Being able to wander and call a place home feels foreign, almost taboo. “I wouldn’t know where to begin,” you chuckle. “It’s almost overwhelming.”

Deiphobos nods at the ceiling. “In the archive there are records of old recipes, I’m sure. It might be worth your while to see what history is up there. You may find something familiar to you. I’ll be going to begin clearing the pathway.”

“I would like some rabbit for stew tonight,” you tell him. “If you happen upon any rabbits.”

Deiphobos nods. “I’ll bring some back for you.” He leaves through the fireplace again, and you go upstairs to the archive.

You’re not sure where to begin. There are so many books, and you don’t know if there is an order to anything. The first book you pick up is written in a language you don’t know. The second one has recipes, but they aren’t the cooking sort. In fact, you’re pretty sure it’s all about poisons and potions.

There’s a lot of dust, and after you begin to suffer a sneezing fit, you go back down into the kitchen. You check on the bread and find it exactly as you like. You take it out, kneading it again and stretching it to form long cords that you braid together. Funnily enough, this style of bread is called ‘the dragon’s tail’.

As it bakes, you go back up to the archive to hunt again. You’re used to working in a kitchen that’s always busy from morning to night, and you haven’t had moments of rest between meals since you were a child. You don’t know how to keep yourself busy until Deiphobos returns with some rabbits.

You search the shelves until you find a book with some promise. It’s a diary, but throughout the pages are recipes. The woman in the diary details her daily life, talking about her routine of getting up early in the morning to make breakfast for her younger siblings and parents. She discusses the way to find the perfect eggs and how to prepare them to everyone’s liking. She describes rabbit traps, knives, the best pots in her kitchen. She’s so descriptive about everything, it feels as though you’ve lived her life.

You leave the book where you can find it again, then return to the kitchen to check the bread. Deiphobos returns with rabbits in his claws, and dust covering his scales. “Something smells good,” he murmurs.

You take the rabbits and hang them up so you can skin them later. “The bread should be done soon.”

Deiphobos lies down near the fireplace. “Did you find anything in the archive?”

“I did.” You begin sharpening your knife. “It’s a diary by this woman. She’s so detailed about everything she does around cooking, I almost feel like I am doing what she says.”

Deiphobos nods thoughtfully. “Good. I’m glad you found something.”

You place pots under the rabbits and begin skinning them. It's a gruesome process, but one you’re used to. By the time you’re done, you can take the bread out of the oven. The crust is perfectly golden and crackles when you touch it. The scent is heavenly, wafting through the entire kitchen. You slice it, smearing honey over a still-steaming piece and handing it up towards Deiphobos. “See what you think.”

Deiphobos eats directly from your hand, which tickles slightly. He chews the bread slowly and his eyes become brighter, glowing in the light. “That was wonderful.” Tears come to his eyes again. “It’s just as I remember.”

“My grandmother called this recipe the dragon’s tail,” you confess. “That’s partly why I made it.”

Deiphobos’ tears fall down his cheeks, splashing to the floor to cool and make mounds. “Thank you.”

“Hey, now.” You come up beside him and stroke the side of his neck. “No need to cry. Would you like some more?”

He nods his head and sniffles. “Please.”

“It’s almost refreshing to see someone cry over my food.” You turn back to slice another piece.

“There’s something to it,” he murmurs. “Something special.”

Honey drips onto your fingers as you look at him. “What do you mean? That’s how I always make it.”

“I can’t exactly say what it is, or describe what it feels like. I just know there’s something to this bread that makes it special.” Deiphobos looks down at you. “It’s better than I remember.”

Something about his words makes you excited about cooking, even more than ever before. You smile at him and nod. “I’m glad you like it so much. I’ll try to keep up the good work, I promise.”

You grow more and more at home in the kitchen. You’ve cleaned the other stoves to make different recipes at the same time. Deiphobos goes out every day to clear out what has overgrown around the keep, and you work happily at recipes that you haven’t been able to make in years. There are dishes your family made just for special occasions, and recipes in the diary that you want to try. You haven’t felt this joyful about cooking since your great-grandmother was alive and teaching you what she knew.

Deiphobos is good company as well, although he’s still recovering from his hibernation, struggling to recall the days before his sleep. He loves your cooking though, and every day you want to impress him more and more.

“I’ll be done clearing soon,” he announces one evening. “Then you can come and go as you wish. You don’t have to stay here.”

“I might be here often. I love the kitchen, and I would enjoy continuing to work for you.”

“Is it working?” he asks.

You stop for a moment. “No, I suppose it’s not exactly the work my family is accustomed to. But wouldn’t you be upset if I went and cooked for someone else?”

Deiphobos reaches out and pats the top of your head. “Why would I be? I believe you should share your gifts with the world.”

You frown and shrug. “Most people, when they can hire a cook, don’t want to share. The families my mother and grandmother have worked for have ensured they never leave them.”

“That is why this keep is here, and the festivals were begun. So people could share their gifts and work together. So if you decide to stay here, I only ask that when you cook you invite others to partake of the meal.”

His words touch your heart, and make you even more proud of your cooking. “It would be my honor, Deiphobos.”

He smiles and nuzzles your cheek. “I am glad that you are here and willing to share this gift.”

One the path is cleared, your family is the first to visit. It’s hard to get others to come, as most people are afraid of the keep and Deiphobos himself. Bit by bit, people begin to trickle in just to look around. Soon, once the food you make becomes known, more and more start coming. Deiphobos is hesitant to show himself at first, and remains in his chambers on the top floor, where no one but you can find him.

“You should come and visit with the people one day,” you tell him.

“They are afraid. I am afraid,” he says simply. “It will take time. You know this.”

You pet his scales, rubbing his head between your hands. “But I want you there.”

Deiphobos lays his head in your lap. “And I wish to be with you,” he whispers. “This time we have shared, the kindness you have shown me... I do not know if I can express the depth of my gratitude. I would give you all I owned. I would give you the fire in my veins.”

You drape yourself across  his head. “You don’t need to give me anything. I have all that I could ever ask for.”

“Thank you again,” he whispers. “That is what I will give you for now.”

One afternoon, you notice some younger children playing near the entrance to the caverns under the keep. “I wouldn’t go down there,” you warn them. “It’s very dangerous.”

“Who told you that? The dragon?” one mocks.

“There’s a river that flows underground,” you say sternly. “It’ll pull you under if you’re not careful. Please keep away from there!” You march away from them, angry that they would make fun of Deiphobos.

Later that evening, you hear screams coming from below and rush down to see what’s happening. The children are waist-deep in the water of the caverns, trying to save a girl who is holding on to a stone while caught in a very strong current. The girl looks tired and weak, struggling hard to keep her hold. You rush in, forcing the children to get back on land and to go find help. Then you make your way towards the girl, fighting against the strong current yourself. You wedge yourself against a rock and offer your hand to her. “Take it! Hurry!”

“I can’t hold on!” she cries.

You stretch further, trying to reach her so she doesn’t have to let go. You manage to grab her and pull her into your arms, but as you do, you lose your footing and fall into the current. You and the girl scream as you’re pulled under, dragged along the harsh rock floor. You lose sight of the girl, and then everything goes dark.

You’ve been swept underground. The water is so cold that your limbs begin to feel numb. You’ve never seen such darkness. You’re pulled underwater several times, forced back up and struck against stones. You manage to grab hold of something and cling, shivering. It’s hopeless. You know it is. You have no escape, no way out. This was your grave now. There’s no sense in holding on. Your breath shudders in your chest, and you begin convincing yourself to let go, to allow the current to take you, and to flow to your resting place.

Your toes begin to feel warm, as do your legs. You close your eyes and sink, letting yourself fall down into the endless cold depths. Something is warm against your back, and the warmth seeps through to your core, your hands, your face. You open your eyes and see your hair glowing around you. Your lashes, your lips, your limbs, all have a radiance wrapped around them. Deiphobos floats above you, holding out his hands for you to take. You grab hold of him, hoping this is the last thing you see before you die.

You wake to softness all around you. Your body feels weak, but it is surrounded by comfort. You open your eyes to the malachite veins running along the ceiling and walls. You take a rattling breath. Stretching out your arms, your hands find purchase on warm scales.

“I’m glad you’re awake,” Deiphobos whispers. “I am so...” his voice chokes off as he lays his head on you, letting you wrap your arms around him.

“Am I dead?” you croak. “Is this all a dream?”

“You’re alive!” he cries. “And very much awake.” He touches your face and nuzzles against you. “I was so afraid.”

“Then under the water,” you murmur, “I wasn’t seeing things. You saved me.” You hug him as tightly as you can despite the fatigue in your body. “I thought I was gone for sure! I was ready, and when I saw you, I had hope...” You look into his golden eyes then place a soft kiss on his scales. “But how?”

Deiphobos smiles at you, tears lingering in his eyes. “I did whatever I had to. I burned into the earth to save you, because I knew if I didn’t, my heart would break, and after waking, I would not have survived.” He inhales deeply and sighs. “I told you I would give you the fire in my veins,” he whispers into your ear.

You look at your palms, seeing that same glowing radiance from before. “To save me?”

Deiphobos nods. “Half my life is yours now.”

Tears rush to your eyes. “That’s so much.”

“Then stay with me, if you wish.” He licks your cheek and nuzzles your hair.

You wrap your arms tightly around him. “I never wanted to go to begin with! I wanted to stay regardless.” Tears fall freely down your face. “If your life is mine, then half my life is yours.”

Deiphobos embraces you. “As long as your grandmother allows it,” he laughs.