Mira had been living now for a long time at the village and he had settled in without problems. He had become very good at carving little statues of dragons, but also of other animals and people. With Leif he sometimes sold them on market days.

When he didn't carve or fish, he worked as Rorik's assistant. He was still learning to recognize the plants, but Rorik was a very patient teacher.

- Leif and Elin... - began one day Mira, while tidying the herbs on the shelves, helped by Little Tree, Flower and Leaf.

Rorik looked up from the paper he was writing on and gave him a questioning look.

- Are they not in good terms? Every time they meet... there's more electricity between them than in Illiya's body.

The Dragontamer scratched his chin and sighed quietly.

- Elin is Leif's ex girlfriend - he said, leaning on the counter. He closed his eyes for a moment, like he was thinking. - Leif was... super in love with her. And she broke his heart.

Mira felt a bit of pity for the fire Dragontamer. Poor Leif, he thought.

- Poor Leif - he whispered, feeling sorry for him. Rorik nodded.

- It was very hard for him... - he hesitated, unsure whether to shut up or to continue. - But you have been a breath of newness, for everyone but more importantly for him. Ever since you have arrived he seems to be feeling better.

The boy blushed.

- Oh - he replied, happy. Rorik smiled with kindness.

- Are you finished with those? Let's go talk outside, it's a nice day.

They moved to the back shop, where Bosko was napping peacefully. His tamer sat with his back against the dragon's stomach and invited his assistant to sit next to him.

Mira obeyed without hesitation; he wasn't scared anymore of dragons. He got attached to Charcoal, that so much reminded him of his Cocco, he was friends with Little Tree, Flower and Leaf and often Leif asked him to help him wash Ruby and sometimes even to check his teeth.

On the other hand, dragons were comfortable around Mira, even if it was the first time they met him.

- And... you and Lynae? Have you been together for long? - he asked. Rorik smiled even more.

- Yes, we started dating a bit after they got together. They stayed together for a long time, but...

- But?

- It was predictable that they were going to break up. I mean, Elin is an extraordinary Dragontamer, like Leif, but her priority has always been Marat. When Leif was with her, nothing and no one else existed. I have absolutely nothing against making your dragon your priority, Artemisia did it too and her dragon is the only company she needs, I'm just saying that Elin shouldn't have played with Leif's feelings... - Rorik shook his head and sighed. - How about you, Mira? Have you ever been in love?

His assistant blushed hard.

- M-me? N-no, I don't think so...

The Dragontamer chuckled, moved.

- Not in love with a pretty girl... or a handsome boy. Also because if on your island lived just you with your family... no, I mean... with life. In love with the waves that crash on the sand, with the sun that caresses your face at dawn, with the breeze in your hair, with being alive.

Mira stopped a moment to think.

- Then yes, I think so - he answered shyly. - After losing everything, I lost also a bit of that love for life. But I'm falling in love again, slowly, with each day that passes, and it's also thanks to you.

Every morning Leif accompanied him to the shop and, every evening, he came to the shop and they went back home together. Mira liked that routine a lot. He liked seeing him a lot, after spending the day without him, and he loved listening to his stories about what he did with Ruby, about the places he saw from his back.

He liked him.

But it was difficult for Mira to understand those feelings, since he had never felt them before. He wasn't fully conscious that they were blossoming in his heart.

Rorik smiled again and got up, stretching out a hand to help him.

- Come. I'll give you your reward for today.

Together with a bag of coins, he put in his hair a white flower with orange stripes.

- It's Leif's favourite - he said, winking. - I said nothing, though. I'm sure that, if you start doing something that doesn't require particular movements, he won't be able not to draw a portrait of you.

Mira gave him a confused look, but remained quiet.

- You don't have to take care of this flower - Rorik laughed quietly, enigmatic. - When you notice that it is starting to wither, burn it. It has a celestial perfume.

Leif was waiting for him outside the shop as always and, when Mira got out, he looked at him for a long moment.

- You are... cute, with that flower - he told him, blushing a bit.

That evening, when Mira was playing the flute, the Dragontamer took paper and charcoal and drew a portrait of him, like Rorik had forecasted.

- What are you drawing? - asked Mira shyly, peeping on his paper.

- You.

Mira blushed and got closer to the boy to see. Leif finished adding the shading and put down the charcoal.

- Do you like it?

- Yes. You're really good at drawing.

- I can give it to you, if you want it.

Mira shook his head.

- Keep it. You could... hang it with the others - he suggested cautiously. Leif looked at him for a long second and then smiled.

- I'll hang it. I'll hang it... near the one of Ruby.

- Am I that important? - joked Mira. The Dragontamer blushed and laughed nervously.

The silence fell, and Mira felt stupid for ruining the mood. Why don't I ruin it even more, then, he thought.

- Have you ever drawn... Elin? - he asked. Leif gave him a weirded look, tensing up.

- Elin? What has Elin to do with this?

- N-nothing... R-rorik told me that she was very important to you, b-but... but don't get mad at him! I asked him to tell me about it!

Leif seemed about to burst to flames like Ruby.

- S-sorry - stuttered Mira, scared. - It's my f-fault, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked! I'm sorry!

The Dragontamer put a hand on the bed, where the boy was sitting, and put his face near his until their mouths were almost touching. Even though he was angry, his breath was under control, while Mira's was accelerated.

- Why are you so curious to know about me? - asked Leif with a low voice. Mira felt his cheeks burn and his heart beat like crazy. He had never watched Leif that close, and he was dangerously beautiful.

- B-because I want to know you better! - he answered impulsively. Leif smiled but just for a moment, because a second later his expression became neutral again and he stepped away.

- Then ask me, not someone else - he scolded him. - At least you asked Rorik and not Yorick...

While he was talking, he hung the drawing near the one of Ruby, like he said.

-  There's nothing to say about me and Elin - he continued. - I should have known: fire and water can't be together.

He looked so down. Mira wanted to hug him, but was afraid of being rejected.

- I'm sorry - he whispered. - It's better if... goodnight.

And he got up, not wanting to cause more damage. Leif stopped him by grabbing his wrist.

- Mira... - he hesitated, before ruffling his hair. - Goodnight.

He let him go. Mira went to his own room and let himself fall on the floor, against the wall, trying to calm his heartbeat that didn't want to slow down.

In his room, Leif brought a hand to his face and touched his lips. What... did I want to do, earlier?, he asked himself.

When he went to bed he had yet to find an answer. In his mind there was space just for Mira, Mira who was, that evening, too cute with the flower in his hair, Mira who was interested in his love life, Mira that wanted to know him better.

He covered his face with both his hands.

- Mira - he whispered.