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(Ok, I don't know how to write romance and stuff, but I tried, ok? And if not for the story, I would have left the romance completely.)
The two descended further into the glowing spiral staircase, their surroundings gradually shifting from rough-cut stone to polished crystal halls. Enchanted glyphs pulsed softly on the walls, reacting to Ramiris' presence like a heartbeat.
"I upgraded the whole third stratum with floating platforms and reverse gravity," Ramiris said proudly, arms behind her head. "Only someone with spatial awareness can walk through it without throwing up."
Velsun smirked, walking effortlessly as the platforms rotated beneath them.
"Impressive. You finally made a trap even you can't bypass without cheating."
Ramiris puffed her cheeks out.
"Rude! I can get through it… I just prefer not to get flipped upside down. It messes with the hair."
She floated sideways next to him, one leg curled, grinning.
"Besides… don't pretend you're not enjoying walking behind me."
Velsun didn't miss a beat.
"Hard not to, when the dungeon's built like a maze and the architect refuses to fly straight."
Ramiris let out a snort, then laughed.
They passed a corridor with statues—one suspiciously resembling Velsun holding up a sun disk.
"Wait. Is that… me?"
Ramiris put a finger to her lips dramatically.
"Maybe~. I got very inspired after you defeated your little brother. You were kind of glowing. It was hot—like, literally."
Velsun raised an eyebrow, stopping in front of the statue.
"You built a shrine to me? Wow. I didn't know you worshipped me."
Ramiris leaned toward him, eyes twinkling.
"Don't flatter yourself, Shiny lizard It's purely artistic. Totally not symbolic of me admiring your aura or anything."
"Of course not," Velsun said dryly, "because that would make you just another fan of my radiant personality."
She bumped into his side with her elbow.
"You know," she said after a pause, voice a bit quieter, "it's kinda weird. You're probably the only person who treats me like… well, me."
"You're easy to talk to. Even if you're a living embodiment of ego and sparkles."
Ramiris rolled her eyes but smiled.
"And you're all calm and noble and ancient and wise. So boring. But I guess… you're kind of fun."
The two reached a massive open chamber; twilight-colored skies stretched above them, and stardust rained down slowly. A mock sky, crafted with care.
"Wow," Velsun said, genuinely surprised. "This is…"
"My favorite part," she said, twirling midair. "Made it just for myself. A sky no one can touch but me."
She hovered beside him again, closer now.
"But maybe I'd let someone stand under it with me."
Velsun met her gaze, amused but thoughtful.
"Careful, Ramiris. You keep saying stuff like that, and people might start thinking you're actually nice."
"Shut up," she said dryly.
And yet… neither moved away.
In the silence that followed, with the stars above and the dungeon glowing beneath them, something soft passed between them. Not quite a confession. Not yet.
Just the shared understanding that maybe, just maybe, this chaotic fairy queen and her golden sun dragon weren't so different after all.
"Hmm..." Just then Velsun smiled. "You know, I think I like you," Velsun said out of nowhere.
Ramiris, mid-spin beneath the stardust ceiling, froze.
Her eyes blinked—once. Twice.
"H-Huh?" She turned midair, nearly wobbling as she hovered, her face suddenly a shade warmer than usual. "What did you just say?"
Velsun stood there with a calm smile, arms loosely crossed. His tone was relaxed, not teasing—genuine, almost too casual for the weight of the words.
"I said," he repeated, stepping a little closer under the faux sky, "I think I like you."
Ramiris floated backwards a few inches like she'd just been hit with a spell she didn't expect.
"Y-You're serious?" She stammered, pointing at him. "Like… like like? Or just 'ha-ha, you're funny,' like?"
Velsun tilted his head.
"What kind of dragon tells jokes that badly?"
She puffed out her cheeks, flustered.
"Well, excuse me for trying to get some clarification! This is you we're talking about—you don't flirt. You make sarcastic remarks and destroy armies."
Velsun shrugged slightly.
"Maybe I do both."
Ramiris landed on the ground for once, arms crossed, clearly trying to compose herself.
"...You're so annoying when you're cool."
There was a long pause. The soft stardust around them fell like glowing snow, and the magical breeze blew gently through her hair.
"So what now?" she asked, not looking at him. "Are you going to kiss me or what?"
Velsun blinked.
"I thought you'd kick me out if I tried that."
She smirked.
"I might still."
Velsun stepped forward again, gently reached up, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear—a very small, very quiet moment.
"I'll take my chances."
Ramiris didn't stop him. For the first time in a very long time, she looked… shy. Just a little.
Then she grinned.
"Took you long enough, Lizard."
Velsun leaned in slowly, his golden eyes meeting hers with a strange tenderness. Ramiris, lips parted slightly, closed her eyes in anticipation—her usual bluster gone for just a moment.
She felt the warmth get closer... closer...
And then—
"Boop."
His lips brushed her forehead, soft and deliberate.
Ramiris froze.
Eyes still closed, she whispered,
"...That was not the kiss I was expecting."
She opened one eye, giving him a deadpan look.
"Seriously? Forehead? What are you, my ancient older brother or something?"
Velsun, already straightening up with a calm smirk, replied,
"You're dangerous enough as is. A real kiss might give you delusions of authority."
Ramiris glared, cheeks flushed.
"I am a queen, you know!"
"Exactly why I'm keeping you humble."
She huffed, floating up to flick his forehead in retaliation.
"Next time you do that, I'm dropkicking you into your own sun."
He gave her a sidelong glance.
"So… There's going to be a next time?"
She blinked.
Then her lips curled into a grin.
"Only if you actually kiss properly next time, you coward."
They stood there beneath the magical twilight sky, bickering and smiling in the silence that followed, their bond now something more than friendship—but still wild, unspoken, and theirs alone.
Just as Velsun was about to make a teasing remark, Ramiris suddenly floated up to his eye level, her wings buzzing faintly with energy.
"You know what?" she muttered, voice unusually quiet.
Velsun blinked.
"What?"
"This."
Before he could react, Ramiris leaned forward and kissed him—a real kiss, soft and sudden, her hands gripping the edge of his coat lightly as she balanced in the air.
Velsun's eyes widened, startled.
He didn't move—not for a second.
When she finally pulled back, her face was beet red, and she looked both proud and embarrassed at the same time.
"There. Since you're too much of a smug dragon to do it right."
He blinked again.
"You kissed me."
She folded her arms and looked away with a huff.
"Well, someone had to. You are all talk and no scale."
There was a pause.
And then Velsun chuckled—low and amused.
"Alright, I'll admit it. You caught me off guard."
"Good," Ramiris said, eyes darting back to his. "Maybe now you'll take me seriously."
He smiled, this time with a rare softness.
"I already do."
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The stars shimmered above, and the air between them crackled—not with magic, but something far more dangerous.
Emotion.
Then Ramiris cleared her throat, flustered again.
"W-We should go back now! Can't have you missing your big party or whatever."
Velsun nodded, still smiling.
"Right. Wouldn't want to keep the whole kingdom waiting."
They walked side by side, not saying much—but this time, their silence said everything.
Just as the teleportation circle beneath them began to glow, the runes humming softly, Velsun glanced sideways at Ramiris with his usual calm expression.
"By the way…" he said casually, "You do know I'm technically a minor, right? You're as old as my elder brother, Veldanava."
The runes flickered.
Ramiris froze. Her eyes blinked. Once. Twice.
"...Huh?"
Velsun kept a straight face.
"So, just saying, that kiss could be considered ancient-level harassment."
Silence.
Then—
"YOU ABSOLUTE—!!" Ramiris exploded, wings flaring out as she grabbed him by the collar. "I KNEW YOU'D PULL SOMETHING STUPID! YOU FLIRTED BACK! AND NOW YOU SAY THAT?!"
Velsun tried to suppress a grin but failed.
"Hey, I'm just a young, innocent dragon. Gotta protect myself."
"PROTECT YOUR—?! I'LL DROP YOU IN THE VOID, I SWEAR!"
He chuckled, brushing her hands off.
"Relax, I'm kidding. Mostly."
Ramiris, red-faced and sputtering with magical frustration, looked ready to smite the entire dungeon.
"You smug little sun lizard!!"
"Glad we're bonding," he said, stepping into the circle as if nothing had happened.
Still fuming but flustered, Ramiris followed.
"Just wait till we get to Solara. I'm telling everyone you begged for that kiss."
"Go ahead. They'll just think I'm irresistible."
"I HATE YOU!"
"Now now, don't lie like that."
With a final flash of light, the two vanished—bickering like idiots but smiling all the same.