[ WP ] I feel like there is a lack of love on this subreddit . Write a Love Story !

**Dragon's Breath** 
 
 It ’ s a cold afternoon, colder and drier than usual. The snows hasn ’ t quite picked up yet and I take the time to get some more work done, lifting another stone and placing it on the wall. The castle looks nice, even though it was incomplete. The walls are thick and sturdy, curved at various angles to deflect the efforts of artillerymen but the real jewel is the keep; large tapestries lined the insides, mahogany interiors glowed against candlelight. There are two bedrooms ( it ’ s not a very big castle ), one for me, one for her. And I built all of this by myself, quite proud of it too. 
 
 Just as I reach for another block of stone, I feel a buzz in my pocket. I needn ’ t look to know who the caller is. 
 
 `` Hello?'' 
 `` Hiii! How ’ s the castle coming along?'' 
 `` Not bad, not bad. Weather ’ s not helping.'' 
 `` Hahaha, I ’ m sure it ’ s no problem for you. Hey, do you want me to bring any snacks? ” 
 I scratch my head. 
 `` Some kebabs would be nice.'' 
 `` Okay, sure thing.'' 
 
 Ten minutes later, a car pulls through the portcullis. I look out from atop the castle, betraying a gleeful smile. She hops out and waves goodbye to her friend then hurries through the tall oak doors into the Grand Hall. I take her jacket for her. 
 
 `` Oh wow, it ’ s nice and toasty inside isn ’ t it?'' 
 `` Yeah, I just got the fireplace going.'' 
 `` Isn ’ t it a lot of effort?'' 
 `` Well everything ’ s insulated pretty well, so I don ’ t need to worry about it too much.'' 
 `` Nice!'' 
 
 I wash my hands and change out of my overalls. The rooftop cathedral can wait another day. 
 
 `` How was work today?'' 
 `` So so. The boss is still being weird. Hey I learnt a few new songs!'' 
 `` Awesome, show me!'' 
 
 She instinctively winds her way through the endless confusing corridors into the living room, where she happily jumps on the piano and plays an interesting contemporary piece for me. I take the time to wolf down one of the food court kebabs she grabbed on the way. It was bearable. 
 
 `` What do you think?'' 
 `` Not bad, have you been practising for long?'' 
 `` Nuh uh, I ’ m still kinda nooby at at.'' 
 `` Still impressive. By the way, what do you think of horror for movie night?'' 
 `` Oh, that ’ s tonight isn ’ t it?'' 
 
 It was unusual for her to forget movie night, something ’ s up. 
 
 `` Yeah, I took ages setting up the couches and projector and everything.'' 
 `` Oh… Well I can stay for a while but I have to go early.'' 
 
 My stomach tightens and my jaw locks in place. I push away the feeling and add a few more logs go into the fireplace, making the living room nice and cosy. I start up the DVD Player ( having to brush aside my XBox first ) and sit back. She grabs her own kebab and plonks herself down beside me on the couch. 
 
 Bad puns and jokes are the staple of my horror movie repertoire. She seemed to like it at any rate and we might as well have been watching a romcom, both of us had tears in our eyes from laughing so much. I wrap my arm around her and she leans in close, letting her hair drift across my shoulder and neck. 
 
 We used to always spend time together like this. Although it would never last, I tried keeping things the way they are for as long as possible. Happiness, that ’ s what it is; because it ’ s not the bricks that make this a home. 
 
 The warmness was slowly overtaking me and I was about to doze off, when I hear her say: 
 
 `` Hey I got ta go now.'' 
 
 The movie ’ s finished. She ’ s already got her jacket on. 
 
 `` Really? Don ’ t you wan na stay the night?'' 
 `` Sorry but I ’ m meeting someone.'' 
 `` Oh… I see….'' 
 `` Yeah.'' 
 `` Do you wan na come over later then? I finally finished your bedroom! It ’ s really nice and comfy, with plushies and everything!'' 
 
 She looks at me with a sad look in her eyes, like she ’ s pitying me. 
 
 `` Maybe another time.'' 
 
 We leave the cosy interiors and walk out to Honour Square, the magnanimously named cobblestone path and marble fountain out front. In the distance a faint rumbling can be heard, it grows louder and louder and in the distance, a mounted figure approaches my keep. 
 
 Maybe a cannonball will deter him, or raising the drawbridge. No, that wouldn ’ t impress her very much. Even though it ’ d be hilarious. 
 
 But he comes right through. The thick walls of the city, the cannons along the walkways, all the battlements and armaments counted for nought. My worst nightmare gallops straight in, resplendent in his armour, a dark leather jacket. He hushes his mount, a mighty steed indeed. Looking our way, his helmet gleams in the white, snowy background. I can see my own reflection in it, and caught my nostrils flare in suppressed anger. He takes off his helmet and lays it across the handlebars. Handsome fellow. 
 
 `` Hey.'' 
 `` Hello.'' 
 `` Hi.'' 
 
 We didn ’ t say much. Not much needed to be said. 
 
 `` Come on, let ’ s go! Bowling closes in just over an hour!'' 
 `` Okay okay.'' 
 
 She turns around. We normally farewell with a hug. Not today, maybe not ever, if things work out for my damsel. She gives me a pleading gaze. 
 
 `` See you tomorrow?'' 
 `` See you.'' 
 
 She hops on behind him in the saddle and he passes her the helmet. I hear her unmistakable giggle as he does the chin strap. It wasn ’ t her hearty movie night laugh, but it nonetheless came from the heart. He takes her hands and puts them around his waist. The engine roars to life and before you know it, they ’ ve escaped the castle. 
 
 And I ’ m all alone, surrounded by cold stone walls. Fairytales don ’ t end well for everyone it seems. I fill my lungs, hold, and release; a searing cloud of white steam slowly vanishes into the cold winter air.
