Secrets

"Can I talk to you?"
"You won't tell anyone?"
"Thank you so much."

All of these were things Lapiz had grown up hearing. Something about him and his heritage had given him empathy, and everyone wanted to confide in an empath it seemed. He had never minded, the attention and trust the other dragons gave him even as a child was a huge boost in self confidence. Because even as a child, he was a trusted secret keeper.

When he was very young, he could even learn secrets on accident. Just by touching someone he could learn things they wouldn't want known. He had gone to Lazriel, wide, gold streaked blue eyes blurry with tears. Upset that someone might think he was doing it on purpose. That they wouldn't like him or want him anymore. Lazriel had reassured him, cuddling and drying his tears. Explaining to him how to do his best by the people he called clan.

Since then he had followed by his own rules. Never learning anything that he wasn't told out loud, unless his ability was the only way they could manage to tell him. Needing someone to know but unable to say the words. He knew so many secrets now, ones that he would never spill. Couldn't tell. He tucked a stray strand of hair behind an ear and sprawled backwards on his bed. Thinking about it all.

When he'd been young, and most of the dragons out on the waters as pirates, he'd learned Lazriel's secret, told to him with a faint smile. Breath that could burn, no matter what form he was in. Then other, smaller secrets. How he worried over each and every dragon in his clan. That he always wondered if he'd ever find a mate that would want him for forever.

Emeralis, and his heartbreak. The entire story from start to finish that even his close friend Amay didn't know. And another secret from that mate, that would break Emeralis' heart all over again if he knew it. One that was so easy to keep because he never wanted to see the strong ex-captain that broken again. Everyone fearing he wouldn't make it through to be whole again, or love again. Driving the dragon captain back out to sea with his crew for a long time.

Amay's secret, how he'd let his mate break the mark and walk away. Despite how much it killed him inside. He'd wanted his mate to be happy, even if it wasn't with him. No matter what hurtful things had been said or done. Lapiz's own secret on how he had dealth with that traitorous mate of Amay's. None of the rest of the clan knew what he'd done. Hurting the ex-mate as much as Amay had been hurt by everything that had been done. He still didn't regret doing that, the screams had never haunted his dreams. Amay's reactions and expressions had haunted him the most.

Jade's secrets were small but very important to the pale green dragon. Of not being good enough to be a parent. His fear of little ones near streams and the reason behind it. He'd been the one that had comforted the elder dragon. And still did off and on. He had always thought the cook needed someone of his own.

Safaia, one of the rare in the group that lived it all out in the open. Everyone knew his hurts, how badly he'd been killed inside when his baby had died. Mate committing suicide, and Lazriel helping him to sleep. Something he'd been in for a hundred years before waking. He'd missed him, since he most resembled the dark blue dragon. Playing with him often when he was small.

The reason behind Onyx's light sensitive eyes, and his normal disdain for humans. He knew the true reason behind the collar that protected Fala's neck, despite the fact the little healer only claimed it was habit that kept him wearing it now. That and he had a tag from his mate on it now. Why Citrin and Rubiy had the preferences they did, and continued to work now as hunters. And why his parent, Citrin, despised their opposing clan with such feeling. More than any of Lazriel's clan did.

Lapiz knew the reason why Aisu's eyes were white. The pale dragon's eyes blind, but by something only a mate could heal. Something he seemed determined to avoid, though that determination had been fading. His instinctive need to care for someone and be cared for thawing him out to start to look. Craving contact from a world he had wanted to swear off.

Most importantly, he knew his own secret. The one that no one had told him. That he was one of the forbidden children. Born between two clans that were usually so at odds with eachother. He believed that this is what made him an empath and secret keeper. He often wondered if this was really the power and danger that was feared so much. Since people tended to guard secrets even more than the dragon's hoarded treasure.

He'd grown up as any of the other rare draconic children, loved and played with by the entire clan. Now, they were all people he'd give anything to protect. And often he did. Whether they knew or not, or acknowledged it. Sometimes protecting them from themselves, and finding himself saved in return. No matter what the circumstances, he'd been loved. Never treated like the forbidden, and that was likely what had made all the difference for him and everyone in the clan.

He looked up as someone knocked, smiling softly as they walked in. Their hands fidgeting in front of them as they sat down in front of Lapiz.

"I need to tell you something.."