Title: Good Company
Fandom: Trash of the Count's Family
Rating: G
Length: 432 words
Summary: Cale usually dislikes seeing his people sick. Raon is so cute though, he can't help himself.


“Achoo!”

Cale pretended he hadn’t heard anything and waited for a second before he surreptitiously glanced over the top of his book to find the source of the sound. It didn’t take long.

There was a frown on that little face. A frown that likely meant to look strong and threatening, but its effect was slightly weakened by the glistening eyes that looked like they were about to shed tears at any moment now. It was physically painful to see the little creature sneezing so hard. Cale’s feeling of pity was only worsened, knowing that expressing his concern too openly would only frustrate the small creature.

“Achoo, ack!”

A short burst of flame erupted alongside the sneeze this time, and with it came the fall of some of those tears. Cale felt a pang at the bottom of his heart, but it was quite hard to determine whether that was due to the sheer cuteness the frowning, teary-eyed dragon exuded despite himself, or rather sympathetic pain due to the presence of those tears and the lack of anything he could do to help.

A wet sniffle came from Raon, followed by a sigh that seemed too big for this small of a body. Ah, there was his answer, Cale thought as he felt the beginning of a sound at the back of his throat. He wouldn’t be able to hold it back this time.

A loud coo came out of Cale’s mouth as he stood up to gently rub his palm down the dragon’s back. The answering reaction was predictable.

“The mighty Raon Miru is not sick!” the dragon said, his point only weakened by the coughing fit that shook his small frame.

“I know, I know,” Cale placated. “You’re a very strong dragon, the mightiest I’ve ever met.”

It must not have sounded too condescending, for Raon didn’t reply, and even settled himself closer to Cale. Cale looked down with a smile, feeling a familiar fondness spread through his body. He truly hadn’t meant to become so important to so many people, but looking at Raon made him unable to truly regret it.

“I’m the mightiest dragon,” Raon agreed with a nod. Cale watched him curl up into a more comfortable position, head buried into a too-small wing. “But you’re a very good human, so I will deign to let you continue to pet me.”

Cale exhaled sharply through his nose, the best attempt he could do at keeping his laughter inside. “Thank you for the permission Raon,” he concurred. He leaned down to kiss that little head. “I appreciate it.”