Boys

It was a perfect day. The weather was beautiful, warm but not hot on both feathers and scales. There was a slight breeze, enough to feel good against scales but not enough to ruffle feathers. The air was clean and fresh, the slight scent of salt coming in from the nearby sea. In the distance loud seagull cries filled the air, muffled by the sound of ruffling leaves in the forest. It was peaceful. It was perfect.

Verdant had found himself relaxing in the cool shade of the forest, green feathers he was named after helping him blend into the environment without much issue. He had already hunted and fed himself, consuming a few small rodents whos bones got caught between his teeth. Now, belly full and content, he had found himself a basking spot in the long grass where he could safely hide from detection. This was his territory, a little corner of the forest he had taken as his home, but that didn’t mean intruders did not occasionally happen. Usually it was just other carnivores passing by, ranging from other cryolophosaurus to bigger predators like suchomimus and the rare acrocanthosaurus. Whenever something appeared Verdant would simply lie low, burrowing into his foliage den until the threat passed. As a solo cryolophosaurus, it was for the best that he lay low- he couldnt afford to pick fights. Not anymore.

A pang of loneliness and regret shook through Verdant as he felt his mind dip back towards those he swore to forget. Angrily he shook his head, attempting to bat away the negative thoughts of his past like flies. They weren’t here anymore. They had all gone their separate paths. It was fine. He was fine.

Angrily, Verdant turned himself over with a huff, lashing tail disturbing the ground around him. There went his good mood. Laying his face in the dirt, he huffed angrily. Why did he have to think about them? Its not like he’s even seen them in years. Everything had been fine after they left the den for the first time as adults, but slowly the trio began to drift apart and start their independent lives. Cosmos had been the first to leave, and Lovebird and Verdant had split soon after. Even the deep bonds of siblinghood had been unable to keep them together after Cosmos went off on his own. 

Sometimes, when the night was clear, Verdant would look into it and curse the other male. How could he do this to them, to him? They had spent nearly their whole lives together, learning and growing and hurting together. And Cosmos had just left as soon as he could. Some loyalty. Verdant had thought they had something, but apparently Cosmos didn’t agree.

Lost in his depressed sulking, Verdant didn’t notice the sounds of a disturbance around his territory. Bird took into flight, shrieking in alarm as something stomped around on the edges of the territory. It was only when he caught the faint scent of blood that Verdant snapped into awareness, quickly pulling himself to his feet and cautiously sniffing the air. The blood was from some kind of mammal, he was fairly sure. There was another, more reptilian scent as well. A dinosaur had made this kill. Cautiously, Verdant started to approach the kill site, grateful for his fluffy feathers that hid him from those who were not extremely attentive. 

As he got closer and closer, Verdant made out the scent of just what had made the kill. He curled his lip. Another cryolophosaurus. Seemingly alone, and traveling towards his direction. Well, if they thought they could pass through his territory with food and go unchallenged, they were wrong. Settling down into the brush, Verdant sat and waited with narrowed eyes and already raised feathers.

After a few minutes, he heard the sound of loud, clumsy footsteps. A dark figure, larger but leaner than him, appeared through the foliage. Clamped in its mouth was the carcass of what seemed to be a baby goat- something usually only found in the highlands. Strange. How far had this been dragged?

Rising from the bushes, Verdant let out a low snarl, startling the other cryolophosaurus backwards a bit, the goat falling from its mouth. A growl sounded in response from the intruder, much deeper, before it stopped. “Verdant?”

Verdant started, hopping back as well. Now that he was able to get a better look… “Cosmos?” His old friend stood in front of him, quite a bit taller than the last time they had met. Small scars speckled his hide, evidence of battles that he must have waged in on his own. Cosmos seemed stronger and fitter than ever, rippling muscles beneath his scales as he shook his hide off. It was clear his time alone had been good to him. 

Verdant looked away, bashful, and then angry. How dare he come back here? After he left both him and Lovebird? “Verdant?” Cosmos looked concerned, coming closer cautiously. “Are you alright?”

Verdant snapped, snarling and throwing himself forward. He quickly knocked Cosmos off his feet, pinning him into the dirt and shoving his snout infront of him. “You. How dare you?” Cosmos looked only slightly concerned about the fact he was now flat on his back, which infuriated Verdant more. “Why are you back now? If your looking to rejoin the gang, your too late! Lovebird left soon after you. It's just me.” Verdant narrowed his eyes.

“I-I know its just you here.” Cosmos wiggled a bit, freezing at Verdants growl and relaxing again. “I met Lovebird on my travels. She pointed me towards where two separated. And you're still here, as we thought.” Cosmos gave Verdant a searching look which suddenly made the green feathered male feel like he was the one under scrutiny. 

Verdant looked away, feathers flattening as he backed up a bit. “...How is she?” Lovebird and Cosmos had met each other on their travels? But Cosmos was the only one here. 

Cosmos scrambled up, shaking dirt off himself. “Good. She still hasn't settled down yet, but she’s happy. And healthy.” The look Cosmos gave Verdant seemed to imply that he didn’t think the same thing applied to Verdant.

Verdant bristled. “Im fine.” He hissed lowly. Still, he didnt protest when Cosmos gently nuzzled into his side. If anything, he had to hold back from leaning in. “...Why did you leave?” Verdant asked miserably, looking anywhere but the cryolophosaurus next to him. “We were doing okay, the three of us, right? Why are you…” he trailed off, but the question was clear.

Cosmos was quiet for a moment before responding. “Im sorry.” He apologized, startling Verdant enough that he craned his head around to look at him. He didn’t expect an apology. “I’ve been with you and Lovebird as long as I can remember- I don’t remember much of where I came from. And then I was an adult and everything was so confusing.” The cryolophosaurus sagged down, sitting beside Verdant. “I needed some time alone- to explore, to discover myself, to travel the world. I needed to think about…” Cosmos trailed off, seemingly hesitant. Verdant looked up, and their eyes met. “I needed to think about what you meant to me.” Cosmos continued, seemingly bashful as he ducked his head away.

Verdant tilted his head. “What I mean to…” he trailed off, before his eyes widened. Oh. “And, did you figure that out?” 

Cosmos sheepishly nodded. “You mean more to me than any other I have met before. I understand that you may not feel the same, especially after what I did. But. I had to try.” Cosmos quickly got up, grabbing the forgotten goat and placing it in front of Verdant. “I brought this all the way from the highlands for you. I know you may want anything to do with me. I know you may drive me away. But I want you to come with me. Leave this forest. Come with me, into the world. We may even see Lovebird again, and I don’t know if she would want to run in a group again. But I promise I won’t leave you again; not unless you want me to.” Cosmos gave Verdant a desperate look, before looking at the ground again.

Verdant reeled back a bit. Cosmos wanted… He wanted Verdant to travel with him? He felt- He felt… Verdant shook his head. How did he feel? He was hurt that Cosmos had left, and he didnt think he would ever forget that. But the green cryolophosaurus knew that the spark that he once carried for the other had never gone out. Leave the safety of the forest? While he was hesitant, there was only so much safety this forest offered. Predators were becoming more and more common, and it would easily become worse as the seasons got colder. His life was nice now, sure, but there was no stability. No support. Glancing at Cosmos, Verdant wondered if he was really going to do this. Already, he knew the answer.

Brushing his snout against Cosmos, who looked up hopefully, Verdant began to speak. “My heart still hurts after you left. I don't know if it will ever stop. But. I want to go with you. I want to forge this. It will take time, but I’ve always loved you. It never stopped.” Verdant admitted, before pressing his muzzle fully against Cosmos. The two closed their eyes, time slowing down. For not, it was just them. And that was fine.