Bee

Spring had arrived quickly. One night Nebula had gone to bed curled as close to Iodine as she could be to escape the cold and snow, and the next morning she was woken up to the warmth of the sun. While Nebula knew it wasn't going to stay this way with early spring weather being extremely chaotic, it was best to enjoy it while it lasted. So quickly she had nudged her mate and their hatchling awake, before marching them out into the flowerful world that awaited them. 

Apis, their hatchling, had been hatched in the winter. All she had ever known had been the cold, biting at her little tail and keeping her cooped up in the den. Now, Nebula watched her little yellow hatchling explore the world outside with happiness in her heart. The bright yellow hatchling had reminded her of the sun, warm and golden and loving. 

Iodine was much less excited about coming out of the den. Nebula knew her mate had a hard life- raised in the cold, frozen alpha labs, winter was the most comfortable season for her. But Nebula couldn't help but think sunlight made the bioluminescent cryolophosaurus feathers glow even more than they already did. 

Iodine huffed, eyeing the grassy meadow they had arrived in warily. She was nervous- but then again, she always nervous. Life in the alpha labs had conditioned her to be light on her feet and alert at all times, always ready to flee if anything approached. Even now, years later, it was hard to shake off. But at Nebulas gentle urging she able to take a deep breath and relax enough to appreciate what was around them.

The grassy field was peaceful, long grass swaying in the gentle spring breeze. Scattered across it were many flowers of various sizes, colors, and textures. Taking a deep breath, Iodine let herself take in the soft scent of pollen and flowers. It was beautiful, and the exact opposite of where she had grown up. Closing her eyes, Iodine leaned against Nebula. It was… nice.

Apis continued to wander throughout the flowers under the pairs watcheful gaze, her blue eyes wide with wonder. This was a completely new experience for her; the soft grass, the chirping birdsong, the scent of flowers. Curiously, the hatchling reached out with her tiny claws to grab a flower. It was small and white, with a soft sweet scent. As she gently held it in her claws, Apis watched something buzz over. Something small and yellow and black that made a high pitched sound when it flew. Blinking curiously Apis watched as it landed on her claws in order to reach the flower in her hold. Young as she as, Apis had enough sense to not move.

Observing the small bug, it wasn't long before she came to a conclusion. Once the small creature flew away, Apis turned and made for the edge of the flower field where her moms were cuddling surrounded by various flowers. Quickly she darted between them, brushing herself against both of them as she made herself comfortable. “What was that? That yellow flying thing. It was tiny.”

Iodine was the one who spoke, her voice a low rasp compared to Nebula higher pitched one. “That was a bumblebee, Apis.” She rumbled, not upset by the hatchlings interruption at all. She loved Apis deeply, even if they were unrelated- Apis was still her kid. 

“A bumblebee?” Nebula could see the cogs turning in her daughter's small head. “That's what you call me- do I really look like one of those?” The hatchling held out her claws as if observing them. “It was so small! Are you calling me weak?” Blue eyes quickly became teary as the hatchling came to a (wrong) conclusion.

“Oh, no, little one.” Nebula was quick to soothe, gently tapping her snout to the top of Apis’s head. “The nickname stuck because you had its colors. Besides, a bee is a creature that is very much deserving of our respect. This whole flower field exists because of them, you know.” 

“Wait, what? No way. How is that possible?” Apis cocked her head, a grumpy frown on her face as she turned to Iodine. “What did mother mean by that? Is it true?”

Iodine laughed in a slightly smug but not unkind way, sending an amused glance over at Nebula at their daughter's disbelief. “Yes, it is true. No one quite understands how it works, but the bee’s fly from flower to flower, which gives them the power to bloom.” The grey cryolophosaurus explained simply. “Without them, the flowers wouldn't be as pretty! And the same goes for our family- without you, we wouldn't have the power to bloom.”

“...But we can't bloom. We’re not flowers!” Iodine sighed to herself and ignored Nebulas soft laugh. Hatchlings.

“You’ll understand one day.” Nebula chipped in again, nosing Apis hard enough she was knocked over into the soft grass. Letting out a mock shriek the hatchling pounced, missing one mom and landing on another. And just like that, a wrestling match broke out. But even as she dodged thrashing tails, Iodine couldnt help but smile softly. Apis truely was their little bumblebee- just like how they powered the flowers and made them bloom, the hatching brought out the best of the little family. Deep down, she wanted to stay like this forever- but it would not, so she would enjoy it while it lasted.