Lizardfolk Boyfriend: Thruun 2 (special preview)

I decided to make blackberry preserves in a hurry, hoping I could get them done in time to send Thruun off with one. Maybe I was being a bit delusional with this, Thruun could just see me as a friend, he could just be using me for the peace and quiet I offer. 

Still, I can’t help but remember that day picking blackberries. He seemed eager to be with me, even flirty. He said my dark skins as beautiful and even helped me to carry back the basket. I thought he was lingering with me when we returned to the village, but he made a quick getaway once I invited him inside. All I can do is sigh heavily and overthink things, a bad habit I need to work through but don’t. Instead, I’ll make the preserves and see what happens.

I decorate the jar special for him, wrapping the top with a handkerchief and ribbon, then decorating it with dried flowers from the shop. I’m not sure if he’ll be at the apothecary again, but I’ll keep it there in case he shows up.

I wake that morning, finding one of those small, carved objects on my windowsill. It’s a small owl this time, and it has the little ‘A’ carved into the belly. At this point, I have quite the collection of little animals on my shelf. I just wish I knew who was leaving them.

I go to the apothecary, and to my delight, I find Thruun asleep at the back door. He’s sitting upright on the bench, his head falling into the green beans I had hung to dry. I smile and gently shake his shoulder.

“Aren’t you cold out here?” I ask.

His hand touches mine, wrapping around my wrist and moving his fingers so they palpate slowly. “You’re warm.”

He won’t let go so I step closer to him. “What’re you doing out here? I thought you slept in the carriage?”

“They were fighting again. Wanted to get away,” he burbles sleepily. His eyes barely flicker open, they stay closed most of the conversation.

“We have a spare bed at my place while my sister is gone,” I suggest. “You could always come there.”

“Did. But you’s sleeping.” His head wobbles a bit and he struggles to keep it up right.

I frown. “You know that sounds creepy right?”

His eyes blink open and he snorts. “Hmm?” He hand releases me and I am able to pull away. He rubs his eyes as he wakes. “Who is creepy? I’ll gut him.” 

“You are,” I huff. “You said you came to my house but I was sleeping.”

He looks almost cornered. “Well-” He stands up from the bench, a green bean getting sticky on his scales. “It’s not like I watched or anything.”

I arch my brow. “You’re not helping your case.”

Thruun scowls. “I just left the little owl! I swear I didn’t do anything.”

I think of the line of little animals on my shelf, the smooth stones, all with a little ‘A’ carved into them. “Those have been from you?”

He turns his head away with his usual grumpy expression. “I figured you liked them because you kept taking them.”

I’m breathless. “I do. I just didn’t realize it was you.”

He glances down at me. “I didn’t want you too.”

I hurriedly take the jar of preserves from my bag. “Here. I made this for you.”

The jar seems so small in his giant hand. I thought I had used the biggest jar possible, but I supposed anything would look dwarfed by his size. He rolls the jar in his hand while a smirk blooms on his face.