In a short time, by practicing with Leif, Mira became a great Dragontamer. He was great at flying, alright at fighting and at hunting and he knew how to make Cloud do cute tricks, like he used to do with Cocco.

The other Dragontamers loved spending time with him and Cloud, except for Elin that never showed any enthusiasm. In the clouds with Yorick, making flower crowns for Cloud with Rorik while she played with Bosko, or meditating with Lynae and Illiya... Mira had a lot of fun and felt like he belonged to that island, that village, to the Dragontamers.

His routine, now that he had a dragon, had not changed that much. Every morning Leif accompanied him to the shop and every evening he waited for him outside to go back home together.

Sometimes Leif stopped by to chat with Rorik, like he did that morning.

Mira was tidying the shelves, petting from time to time Little Tree, Flower and Leaf that were scampering around him, ready to help him.

The fire Dragontamer observed him with a tender look, silent.

- You like him a lot, don't you? - asked him Rorik in a low voice, careful not to be heard by his assistant.

- Of course not - answered immediately his friend, looking away and blushing furiously.

Rorik laughed softly.

- It's nice to see you like this, Leif.

- Like this how? - asked the blonde, hoping to go back soon to his normal colour.

- In love.

- I'm not... in love - retorted Leif, crossing his arms to his chest.

- Since his arrival you're so bright! It's like he lit you up again! - continued Rorik, undaunted.

- Rubbish - grumbled the fire Dragontamer between his teeth. Rorik smiled.

- I think he likes you too - asserted he, winking. Leif glanced at him, wondering if he was making fun of him, then shook his head.

- And what makes you think that?

- He looks at you the way you used to look at Elin, and the way you look at him now.

- You're wrong - Leif scrunched his nose, frowning. - He doesn't look at me like that.

- Leif - whispered tenderly the plants Dragontamer. - Human beings are like plants. When you know them, you know how they are even when you don't see them on the surface.

His friend tightened his lips, cocky.

- The plants of your feelings have already taken roots, my friend - said Rorik kindly. - You should tell him, Leif. You should. He won't break your heart.

- I'll think about it - replied Leif. - I have to go. Bye, Rorik.

He stopped to say goodbye to Mira, wishing him a nice day and ruffling his hair.

Rorik laughed to himself. They were so cute.

Mira looked at him interrogatively, noticing him laugh. The plants Dragontamer waved a hand as to say that it was nothing.

The day went by slowly. That evening, waiting outside, together with Leif there was Lynae.

The girl put her arms around Rorik's neck, getting on her toes, and kissed him on the mouth. Mira couldn't help but stare at them, envious.

- What are you doing here? - asked Rorik, surprised but happy. Lynae smiled languidly.

- I went on patrol with Leif, since the others are all getting ready for the competition of the change of season - she explained. Rorik hugged her.

- Since you're already here... do you want to have dinner with Bosko and me? Or shall we go to your place?

Mira and Leif exchanged a quick look and left them alone. Rorik and Lynae moved to the back shop, with Bosko. After an order from the boy, the dragon made small flowers appear all over his body. They were about to have a romantic dinner, and the plants Dragontamer wished that Leif would hurry up and confess.

- You... aren't you going to get ready for the competition? - asked Mira, while they were walking back home. Their hands brushed against each other from time to time.

- Not so early - answered Leif. - Why? Did you want to get ready with me?

- I don't think I'll participate, Leif.

- Why not?

- I don't think Cloud and me are good enough, and also Cloud... she has no special power, and you need that to pass some challenges, don't you?

- That's true, yeah - confirmed the fire Dragontamer. - But special power or not, you and Cloud are more than good enough for this competition. You are at the same level of every other Dragontamer of the island.

Mira smiled and shook his head slowly.

- I won't participate - he clinched softly.

- But you'll come with me, won't you?

He met the Dragontamer's begging eyes and melted.

- But of course - he answered. And when, a second later, Leif's hand brushed against his, he linked his pinky finger with his.

Leif blushed and smiled.

They ate dinner silently. The blonde was lost in his thoughts and, once he finished eating, he went to his dragon and whispered something to him.

- You're acting suspiciously - said Mira, who had followed him, and giggled. Leif blushed.

- Come with me - he replied, nervous. And, after grabbing his hand, he took him to the beach.

That evening there was a slice of the moon in the blue sky, filled with stars. The sea was calm, caressed by a soft breeze.

Mira was happy, excited and in love. In love with that gorgeous sky, with the plash of the waves, with being alive and more importantly with the boy next to him who, since the moment he had grabbed his hand, had never let it go.

Yes, he was in love with Leif.

Ruby was waiting nearby. His tamer caressed his face, whispering a thank you.

They sat against the dragon's body.

- Look - said Leif, snapping his fingers. Many small flames lit up over Ruby's back, up to the point of his tail.

That left Mira with his mouth open.

- Leif, it's beautiful! - he exclaimed, eyes shining in awe. The fire Dragontamer smiled proudly.

- Romantic, isn't it?

Mira nodded, even more excited. Leif put a lock of hair behind his ear, before caressing his cheek. He smiled.

- You're beautiful - he whispered softly.

Mira blushed.

Leif gulped, brushing his thumb against his cheek.

- I like you a lot, Mira - he confessed, leaning in a bit. Mira opened a little his mouth and closed his eyes, ignoring his heart in his chest that was beating like crazy.

The fire Dragontamer eliminated the distance between their lips and kissed him tenderly. Mira grabbed him by the shoulders and ran a hand through his hair, kissing him back passionately.

When they pulled away, for a long moment they looked at each other and smiled, before going for a kiss again.

- Mira... - Leif smiled, breathless, and held his face in his hands. - Do you want to be my boyfriend?

He pressed his lips on his for the umpteenth time, blushing softly.

- I thought I had already answered - he whispered, giggling, already drunk on kisses.  

They kissed again and again.

- We have to go back home, Mira - muttered Leif. - It's getting late.

Mira smiled languidly and kissed him one last time.

The village was already asleep and walking by its empty and quiet streets, hand in hand with Leif, seemed to Mira the most beautiful thing in the world.

But nothing compared to the moment when they went to bed, when he went under the covers with the handsome blonde Dragontamer, to sleep in his strong arms.

Leif caressed his face and kissed him softly, before putting an arm around his waist and pulling him closer.

- Don't even try to get up, tomorrow morning - he warned him lovingly, sleepy.

Mira got even closer and admired him for a while. He couldn't believe that a guy so great and handsome was his. His.

- Mine - he whispered, giggling. And Leif, who had the senses of a dragon, opened an eye and replied:

- Yours -.