//------------------------------//
// Hope Can Flare… 
// Story: My Son, My Soldier, My Hero 
// by That_Random_Pony 
//------------------------------//


Draco woke from his sleep, hearing the heavy footsteps outside his room along with the smell of…

Ember.

He slipped on a sweater and socks as he stepped out of his room and follwed her scent. It led him to a staircase, which he climbed, and eventually went to the roof. Ember was standing at the edge of the building, looking out over the downtown area where dozens of lights decorated the serene town. He smiled softly, as this was something that the Ember he knew did when she had something on her mind. At least that didn't change with her. He sighed as he went to go back downstairs.

"Draco." He stopped midway through the door and turned to Ember. She still wasn't looking at him, but she nodded. "I… I'd like to ask you something."

Raising a brow, Draco closed the door behind him and made his way over to her. "Yes, Ember?" he said.

She remained quiet for a few seconds, avoiding his gaze the entire time. "I… I was curious," Ember stammered. "The way you first acted when I… woke up as you said. It… you acted in a very specific way. Were you and I… mates?"

A small blush crept upon both of their faces, but Draco shook his head. "No. We uh… we were just good friends," he stuttered, determined on not looking at her.

"O-Oh," Ember said. "I'm sorry… I just assumed-"

"Just friends," Draco interrupted. "I just…" He sighed deeply and sat down on the ledge. "It's just a kick in the face. Everything the three of us went through. The hard times… the happy times… and everything in between."

She sat down beside him and wrapped an arm around him. He blushed a bit harsher at this, as did she, but rejected the idea she had interest. "What could I have helped you with?" Ember questioned.

"Everything," Draco whispered. "From when I first moved to the Kingdom, to when I lost Dasher, and to when we took Gryphos. You were always there to make sure I didn't wreck myself… and to keep me happy and faithful. I remember… one time when you were sick I had to take care of you… and when I thought you were dying…"

She didn't want him to take care of her. She always wanted to have his strength and be like him, but not want him to help. Why? He wasn't strong enough to deal with the griffons quickly. He wasn't fast enough to save her. He wasn't smart enough to stay with her and Moon instead of charging ahead. 

"What?" Ember asked.

Draco shook his head and looked up to the crescent moon. "You said…" A thought struck him like a bolt of lightning. "You said you wanted to see the Statue of the Sun near Manehatten!"

Ember leaned back a little from his outburst. "I… I did?" she asked. "I've never seen it… but is that what I-"

"Maybe that'll jolt your memory!" Draco exclaimed. "I could get my Ma to send us by tomorrow! Are ya up for it?"

Ember saw no harm in trying to get her memory back, and thought it best to at least try. "Alright. Will Moon accompany us?" Ember questioned. 

"If he wants," Draco shrugged. "But I'm gonna go see if I can get my mom to send us a train. Well… tomorrow, but just be ready okay?"

Ember nodded, standing up. She hadn't counted on him doing the same, and as a result she bumped heads with him. The heart-stopping sensation of freefall came to her, just before a muscled arm wrapped around her and pulled her up. Draco barely registered he had knocked her off when he was able to get a hold of her. He practically threw her into himself, as he was knocked over and made Ember sprawl out above him. Her thick skull and tough spines had take his blow, but his exposed head was throbbing in pain. He groaned slightly, but his words caught in his throat when he felt a warm breath tickle his lips. Ember was on top of him… looking at him with a face abnormally red… and he easily out-brightened her own blush. She clambered off of him and helped him back up, the two avoiding gazes once again.

"S-Sorry," Draco stammered. "Didn't see you… getting up."

"It's fine," Ember said, turning away from him. "I… should retire to my room. And get rest for tomorrow."

"Yeah. Good," Draco smiled sheepishly. "Uh… see ya then."

Ember nodded and went inside, shutting the door behind her. She was confused. He said they had never been mates, but the blush and her own stuttering heart said otherwise. But… she still believed him. It was like she couldn't not believe him. 

Or maybe… she liked him?

Even though her memory was lost… her heart still yearned for him. He was very handsome, no question of that, and the fact that he was like a fighter dragon would support her theory. And most females were attracted to muscles and big bodies. Draco barely needed to show off his body, as his arms did half the work by showing the definition of each lean muscle. So maybe she was right.

But he was seeing the colorful pegasus and lavender unicorn much more often than her. Why would he want her? She was a dragon, an ash-smelling, fire-breathing, dragoness with an axe-tipped tail and hard scales. It could never compare to a mare's soft fur, or the gentle touch of her hoof, or the comfort of her plump lips. Either of the mares were attractive in their own way, and from what she'd seen when she saw them he looked comfortable around them. While he barely wanted to see her. It was probably for the best. She had no memory of him… and he just needed to forget. Everything would be normal soon, and she would be back by her father's side if his plan didn't work.

So why did her heart hurt this much?