Infatuation

Writers: Heather, Aaron
Date Posted: 12th February 2025

Characters: I'mrei, K'don
Description: I'mrei gets to work with his crush - K'don.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 4, day 15 of Turn 12

I'mrei

K'don

The first thing I'mrei did upon entering the dragon infirmary was turn
and check the board to see which other dragonhealers were working that
evening. His heart skipped a beat when the name "K'don" showed up
beside of his own. They were on menial labor duty that evening -
cleaning out the wallows where the injured dragons stayed, restocking
supplies, etc.

**Just stay calm,** he coached himself as he went to his cubby,
withdrew his work coat and slipped it on over his tunic.

He'd been watching K'don from afar, nothing creepy, just the
oh-my-he's-hot-oh-no-did-he-catch-me-looking kind of staring.

As he turned around, I'mrei nearly plowed right into the objection of
his thoughts. "Oh! K'don! Um... hi," he finished brightly, hoping his
laugh didn't sound nervous. "Looks like we're together tonight. That
is. We're partners. Work partners, that is."

}:Oh my, this is embarrassing. I might have to stop listening.:{ Eismuth sighed.

"Oh, good!" K'don smiled cheerfully. He always loved working with
I'mrei-- he was so easy to talk to and loved the work as much as K'don
did. Far too many apprentics spent this time grousing when they could
be appreciating their opportunities.

"Shells, it's been too long since I got to work with you."

A flutter spread through I'mrei's stomach. **He likes working with me!**

"Yeah, it's been too long," the greenrider agreed, hopefully sounding
more smooth and casual. "How are things in Hurricane Wing?"

"Oh, they're great!" K'don had stars in his eyes. "I've gotten to
spend some time with the wingthird, M'trel. He's been so kind, just a
really great mentor. How's your wing treating you?"

"Oh, I fly in the Queen's Wing," I'mrei said, without a hint of shame.
"It's great." It was the lowest-altitude Wing and therefore, typically
the safest of the Wings. It also allowed Eismuth to use her size to
help catch falling riders. "The best part of riding a green is that
after I spend my half of the 'fall up there, I get to spend the other
half here in the infirmary."

"Awww, I'm so envious!" K'don laughed. As much as he was proud to
finally be in the wings, he did miss having as much time in the
infirmary as he once did. Half and half would have been amazing.

"Don't be. You get to fly all of Threadfall. It's important." There
was a touch of awe in I'mrei's voice.

K'don blushed a touch. He never meant to imply that what he did was
not important. Suddenly, he felt very ungrateful-- especially after he
had complained for three Turns about not being allowed to fly.

"You're right. It is. I didn't mean to say it wasn't. I just really
love helping in here."

I'mrei smiled. "I understand, completely. The dragon infirmary is my
favorite place to be.... That's not weird, is it?"

"No! Not at all," K'don assured him. "I understand. Completely." He smiled back.

His smile made I'mrei feel as if he were melting. He could feel it all
the way to the pit of his stomach. No, to the soles of his feet.

}:Oh this is eeeeeembarrassssssing,:{ Eismuth groaned again.

"So, uh, first patient? Looks like blue Reciath needs his wallow
cleaned." I'mrei said this while looking down at his clipboard.

"Well, good thing he has two expert wallow cleaners such as ourselves
to help him," said K'don. He even sounded like he really meant it.
"Divide and conquer or many hands make light work?"

I'mrei eagerly grabbed the bucket with the cleaning supplies and the
shovel. "Or time flies when you're having... fun?" The greenrider's
nose scrunched a little as he laughed, knowing full well that cleaning
and injured dragon's wallow was _not_ what most considered fun.

K'don chuckled along with him. There was always a way to make a task a
little more enjoyable, and one of the best ways was to do it with a
friend.

"It'll be much more fun with you there."

As they began stripping and cleaning Reciath's wallow, I'mrei glanced
sideways at K'don. "So, some of the other apprentices are throwing a
party tomorrow night. At Yethber's weyr. Are you going?"

"Oh. Um. Do you think she would mind?" Unless someone invited him
directly, K'don tended to assume he was not wanted at parties. Better
than showing up only to find out he was intruding. Or worse, for them
to begrudgingly tolerate him.

"Of course she wouldn't. She invited all apprentices and that includes
_you_." I'mrei smiled. "We could show up at the same time if that
would make you feel more comfortable."

**Almost like a date,** I'mrei thought with an inward sigh of happiness.

"That would help so much." K'don was not sure why, but it would
certainly make him feel more like he definitely belonged there. "Thank
you."

"Of course." I'mrei felt a little warm and fuzzy on the inside. "I'll
have Eismuth let you know so we can meet up."

"Are you doing anything for dinner tonight?" K'don was suddenly
acutely aware that he had not made enough effort to spend time with
I'mrei outside of work as friends.

**Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh! Eismuth! It's happening!**

The green sighed mentally.

"Uhm, no, actually. I was just going to grab something after my
shift." He tried to answer as casually as possible without too much
excitement creeping into his voice.

K'don perked up. It certainly seemed that I'mrei liked the idea.
Assuming K'don was not misreading his tone.

"Let's grab something together!"

I'mrei, on the inside, was jumping up and down and throwing his arms
around Eismuth's neck. On the outside, he swiped his bangs out of his
eyes sand said, "That sounds great!"

"Maybe after we take a trip to the baths." K'don chuckled. After all
this wallow cleaning, they would need it.

**_A trip to the baths_!** I'mrei inwardly squeaked.

}:Are you feeling okay? You feel weird.:{ Eismuth mused.

**I'm okay, just a little lightheaded.**

"A bath sounds perfect. I wouldn't want to show up to the Dining
Cavern like this," he said, sweeping a hand down the clothes he
specifically wore for working in the infirmary.

"Me, either!" K'don could only imagine what his father would say if
he... Well, he supposed his father would not say anything. He would
not be there. But his mother might, and she would be just as appalled
if he showed up to dinner stinky and dirty.

"I sure could eat a whole herdbeast, though."

I'mrei wasn't even sure what he said, but it was apparently something
normal since K'don didn't look at him funny. He was too focused on the
idea of the bathing pools and all that would entail.....

Last updated on the February 21st 2025

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Infatuation