Nathan woke early the next morning, nervous about the thought of being around other people. He'd gotten so comfortable around Griffin, but he knew that others weren't so kind. Nathan cautiously removed Griffin's arm from his waist, trying hard to wake the sleeping dragon.
Successful, Nathan perched on the edge of the bed and watched Griffin sleep for a moment.
[Calm yourself, Nate. You'll give yourself a heart attack at this rate,] Axel said.
"I know, I'm trying. It's just the thought about being around people again."
Kael's sleepy voice chimed in at that moment. [What's there to worry about? You know Griffin won't let anything happen to you.]
"I'm sorry, Kael. I was trying to not wake you guys up."
Nathan could feel Kael's stretching through the bond, [It's alright. This is about the time we wake up anyway.]
Suddenly, an arm slipped around Nathan's waist and yanked him back into bed.
"What are you doing up already?" Griffin asked, his voice husky.
Nathan blushed red at the tone. "It's nothing, I'm fine."
Griffin hummed absentmindingly. "Alright then. Shall we get ready for the day?"
Nathan closed his eyes, leaning back into Griffin's strong chest. "I suppose," he muttered.
Griffin kissed his forehead as he sat up. "Bath or breakfast first?"
They'd gotten into the habit of bathing together after bonding. Griffin, to Nathan's surprise, fit in the bathtub quite easily and while there was enough room for Nathan to sit beside him, they both preferred him sitting in Griffin's lap.
Before Nathan could answer the question though, his stomach growled loudly, prompting Griffin to burst out laughing.
"Breakfast first then."
While Nathan had learned how to cook fairly well, Griffin found that he was a little too clumsy in the morning to handle knives or fire. As he prepared a simple, but filling meal for them, Nathan clung to him, never straying more than a foot from him.
"Are you sure you're okay, sweetness?" Griffin asked, slightly worried.
Nathan's grip on his shirt tightened as he replied, "I'm fine. I'm just nervous about being around people."
Griffin sighed as he loosened Nathan's grip. Without letting go of his hands, he turned and pulled the wolf into a tight hug. "It's going to be okay. I'll be by your side the whole time."
Nathan didn't say anything, just pressing himself harder into Griffin's chest.
**********
An hour later, fed, bathed, and dressed, the two of them were ready to head out.
"How are we getting there? How far is it?" Nathan asked.
"It's about 6 hours by foot to get there," Griffin replied.
Nathan gaped up at him, "Huh? That'll take all day."
Griffin draped his arm around Nathan's shoulders, leading him towards a clearing.
"I only said it's 6 hours by foot. Not that that's how we're getting there."
"Huh?"
Reaching the clearing, Griffin released Nathan, turning to face him. "We're flying."
Nathan continued to stare at him in confusion before understanding dawned on him. "You mean you're going to shift!" His eyes sparkled at the idea.
Griffin chuckled, "Yes, and you'll get to ride me. Although I can think of another riding I'd prefer you doing."
Nathan slapped his shoulder as he blushed a bright red.
Griffin reached up, brushing his knuckle against Nathan's warm cheek, "I'll never get tired of that."
Stepping back, Griffin strode to the center of the clearing. Checking that Nathan stayed where he left him, Griffin finally shifted into his dragon form. Metallic red-gold scales gleamed in the sunlight, the pupils in his emerald green eyes contracting as the brightness.
"Wow," Nathan's soft whisper of awe drifting across the clearing.
Leaning down, Griffin placed his head right next to the wolf.
"Come on, sweetness. Climb up."
"Umm, where exactly?"
Griffin angled his massive body down as much as possible, trying to make it easier on his mate.
"Climb up my shoulder and sit at the base of my neck. There's a divot in my scales there that you should be comfortable in."
Nathan quickly followed his instructions, finding the divot and making himself comfortable while finding a handhold.
"Ready?" Griffin asked.
"Ready," came Nathan's trembling reply.
"Don't worry. I'll be careful but if you're uncomfortable or want to set down at all, let me know."
With more care than he'd ever used, Griffin took off, his wide wingspan just barely clearing the trees.