Translating/sharing some things I saw on this Douban thread for anyone interested. It includes details about important plot points that were cut/edited based on evidence and speculation from netizens. Some things were more obvious than others.
The takeaway was that Tencent could have had a really special show (and it would have been waaay more popular on the platform) if they weren't forced to cut out so many things :'D
^Starting with this. One of the MOST important plot points was edited out: Shen Zhiheng is afraid of sunlight, hence the umbrella + hat + sunglasses getup. As the thread points out, he's never seen in sunlight without some kind of covering. As the show goes on, he would have become more and more sensitive to the light.
This is why he had that random wound on his face in ep. 24. The sun burned him, but he went to rescue Mi Lan anyway.
Other changed/removed things below the cut:
Ep 10 originally had footage of Shen Zhiheng revealing his fangs and sucking the blood of all those soldiers. Remembering all the blood he took is what caused his breakdown later. His wounds healed so quickly because he gorged on so much human blood here. Around 20 min. were removed.
Whenever Situ Weilian visited Shen Zhiheng, he was carrying blood in his bag. He only does it in the nighttime because doing this in the daytime draws too much attention. All of this was removed.
In ep 1, when Mi Lan originally meets Shen Zhiheng, there's a scene of Shen Zhiheng being tempted towards sucking her blood and resisting. That was removed, but you can still see a shot of him opening his mouth.
The scene where Mi Lan rescues Shen Zhiheng in jail by "kissing" him should have been longer. He apparently reached out to cup her head, but that was removed. --> Later in the thread, someone adds on to this: in one of the original shots, there was blood on Mi Lan's lips, further implying she bit herself. This is guesswork, but it's very probable- since she gains sight briefly in a later ep/scene, it means she also bit Shen Zhiheng after he couldn't resist biting her through the kiss.
A scene of Li Ying Liang staring down at Shen Zhiheng from another floor was removed.
Shen Zhiheng didn't recover from his wounds in ep1 by sleeping. That was an excuse Situ made up. Originally, Situ gave him blood instead of just doing surgery, but the blood part was removed.
After healing, Shen Zhiheng goes to meet Li Ying Liang and shouts loudly when talking to him (My note: I think we all remember this part). It wasn't a random choice. Shen Zhiheng felt too close to Li Ying Liang's neck and wanted to drink his blood, so he gave that shout to distance them.
Situ Weilian is the second male lead (this is confirmed!). But it feels like all his scenes revolve around Jingxue because the majority of Situ's scenes revolve around blood and vampirism, so when they cut all that out, the only thing remaining was his subplot with her.
When Situ's dancing with Jingxue during their first meeting, a part was deleted (so the show skipped directly to them already dancing). Situ likes her so much because he's a pureblood vampire and doesn't understand human emotion, so every time he comes across an emotion he doesn't understand, he goes to her.
Miss Mu (the villainess) and the corrupt officer guy (Li Ying Liang's boss) were originally Japanese. They wanted to capture Shen Zhiheng for the 731 experiments (fair warning: project 731 was a real atrocity that happened, where the Japanese medically experimented on Chinese prisoners). This was all edited out.
A lot of lines were changed in post, so that's why sometimes the dialogue doesn't match the lips
When the stepmother (Meng Ziyi's character) slaughtered the Shen family: the reason the grandmother wanted her burned was likely because she was caught feeding on human blood (the show changed it to "chicken" blood). If you look carefully at her speaking to little Situ, you can see her fangs.
In ep14, Situ and Shen Zhiheng say the stepmother's death had to do with the blood stone. Their lines don't match their lips so the dialogue was originally completely different. Op notes that in the novel, the stepmother was a pureblood vampire who died after her loved one (Zhiheng's father) died and she lost the will to live.
The conversation Shen Zhiheng has with Mr. Mo about the blood stone was also different in the original cut. Again, their lines don't match their mouths.
When Shen Zhiheng finds the blood stone in his grave, there was originally a shot of him opening his mouth and showing his fangs. That was removed.
When Shen Zhiheng turns Mi Lan, there was originally a shot of him coming close to her neck with fangs. That was removed and replaced with shadows.
With all of the above in mind, this is why a lot eps were only around 30 or so minutes when they should have all been 45. This is also why it feels like Li Ying Liang has a disproportionate amount of screentime, because they likely had to make up for all the lost time with his scenes (or maybe he was always meant to have that many scenes, but the loss of Situ's scenes just makes it more obvious). And unfortunately, why Situ Weilian has so little screentime, which I personally think is a shame because he was amazing in the role.
As you can imagine, everyone in the thread was NOT happy about this. My favorite comment was someone going, "So they think if they remove all references to blood drinking, we won't know he's a vampire? Do they think we're stupid?" Lots of people rightfully disappointed we never got to see Shen Zhiheng vampiring.
Also, apparently the final cut of Snowfall we got takes place in a timeline where WWII never happened(???) since they were forced to remove all references to it and all references to the Imperial Japanese. It's a little murky, but I think the reason has less to do with trying to do pretend Japanese war crimes never happened (most "serious" Republican era c-dramas are about defeating the Japanese or KMT anyway) and more to do with the fact that the censorship bureau has a rule about not mixing history with "fiction." So you can't have vampires with the Republican era, a time grounded in history. But you can have all the immortals and demons you want in stories that take place in "unspecified" ancient times.
*I still think that's Stupid because nobody is currently living in the Republican Era, come on. It's as much in the "past" as your average xianxia, and nobody's going to watch this and think "oh yeah, vampires existed in 1930s China!". Someone at the censors just has too much time on their hands imo!
*I can't tell if that whole mess with the gemstones was part of the original cut or added in as a backup plan though. On one hand, if you have the Japanese and vampirism, they don't need that subplot anymore. But Mu's minions were very clearly "ninja" coded, and that crazy lava scene was apparently always part of the original cut (but they removed a fight between mind-controlled Li Ying Liang and Mi Lan for some reason). It'd also be very odd to give Li Ying Liang a redemption arc if his whole schtick was selling out his own people to imperial Japan. Plus, someone in the thread also mentioned an IMPORTANT plot hole- "If Shen Zhiheng is this powerful, why doesn't he just kill the Japanese army?" They're not wrong! I think the idea of corrupt Kuomingtang officers makes more sense in that context.
Some of Mi Lan and Shen Zhiheng's "romantic" shots were cut, maybe to play down the romance(?). Personally, I might be in the minority, but I think this edit worked in the show's favor- the repression elevated the relationship to something more memorable and graceful.
People pointed out that the last scene in ep24 felt abrupt, like the ending should have been something else and that the director likely shot something different originally. I think it's still 50/50 on who to blame for That ending lol, the director or the censors.
Lastly, I'll say that not everything can be blamed on the censors. For instance, the weird cinematography during the "fast" fight scenes would still have been the same. The writers could still have come up with something less clunky than the gemstone drama and lava climax. Li Ying Liang (I think he did a decent job, not fantastic but decent, and I wasn't bored during his subplots but there really was too much time spent on him) would likely still have all those scenes irrelevant to the main trio. And I doubt it was the censors who told the director, "hey make the last scene as abrupt as possible so you can piss off all your viewers lol!"
But IMAGINE what could have been :'D Who knows, maybe one day they'll release the uncut version or somewhere else will buy the rights and release it. At least we now have more context thanks to the netizen detectives.
This is giving me motivation to finish the raf fic before the fandom explodes with caleb 💀
Credit to @/khouxy on insta
EDIT: and the fic is out https://www.tumblr.com/poisonf0rest/772475167619301376/intertidal-zone?source=share !!!
the uptight and serious squad captain Luo Qiuheng dunking on everyone in a game of cheat will never not be funny
The shaving scene #1 (aka. "Love is a strange thing" talk #2. aka he tried to match her outrageousness, but couldn’t quite manage. aka. the scene that made me lost my mind how why was that necessary whuu)
Miss S - 旗袍美探 (2020) Ep.08
Master post
Includes: isekai-reader, non-MC-reader, mentions of death, obsessive behavior, unhealthy behavior, mention of death, violence, death, canon-divergence
Yan!Sylus who was completely thrown off guard when a random woman appeared at his home base. Who was even more surprised when the video footage showed her literally just appearing there.
Yan!Sylus who is unamused by your attempts to give an altered version of the truth to avoid the upcoming existential crisis. Who uses his aether core to find the truth for himself.
Yan!Sylus who is blown away to learn that you died, that you were from another world, that his world was a game where you were from, that you knew him both from his past and present life, and that because despite your knowledge, you cared for him. Not a fangirl crush, but genuine care.
Yan!Sylus who convinces himself that he has to keep you here. What if his enemies got a hold of you and got valued information his weaknesses? And you knew about his sorceress; he could learn more about her from you.
Yan!Sylus who takes into account your strenghts and weaknesses and decided to give you a small administrative job in Onychinus. Who's vaguely surprised by your dedication and efficiency. Who starts gaining some respect for you despite how weak and average you are.
Yan!Sylus who grows more... dissatisfied the more he learns about his sorceress from you. She reincarnates forever yet doesn't retain any memories of her past lives? She's had several lovers who's also chased her across lifetimes? In this life (the main game), her interest in him revolves around learning about the Aether Core in her body? How... displeasing.
Yan!Sylus who sends Mephisto earlier than normal to look after MC now that he can identify her. Who sees her with the other love interests and interrogates you about them. Who, after learning that they are the other lovers she's had over time, can't help but feel a bit of despair - what was his one life with her versus these other men who know her so intimately?
Yan!Sylus who watches you integrate into his inner circle. You enjoy Luke and Kieran's company, even when their pranks and personalities can be a bit much for you. And you adore Mephisto, giving him treats and trinkets while petting his plating and feathers.
Yan!Sylus who grows a bit frustrated when you are much more reluctant to grow closer to him. He's seen your desires, he knows you care for him want him, why do you push him away?
Yan!Sylus who through subtle maniputation coaxing manages to get you to open up a bit more. Who learns the little things that you like and what makes you who you are. Who finds that rather than making you more boring, seems to add to your charm.
Yan!Sylus who comes home after having a rough day with annoying people. Who is surprised when you see him in such a state and don't rush off to give him space like you normally do. Who is shocked when you offer to help him.
Yan!Sylus who finds his chin on your shoulder, his head cradled in your arms, and your fingers running through his scalp. Who finds your words of reassurance and comfort sooths a part of his soul he didn't know needed it. When has anyone ever held him so tenderly?
Yan!Sylus who finds himself craving that warmth, that unconditional love. Who finds himself seeking you out and opening up to you in hopes that you would show that side of you to him again. Who hopes that he can become that person to you.
Yan!Sylus who finds this opportunity when he finds you crying to yourself. Who holds you as you confess that you miss your old life, that you feel like you're betraying them by enjoying your life now. Who caresses your head as you share that you fear waking up and finding this to be an absurd coma dream... or not waking up at all.
Yan!Sylus who tries to ignore the pang he feels at your words as he comforts you. You shouldn't feel guilty about being happy here you shouldn't want to leave. You're only hurting yourself by wanting something you have no way of knowing how to achieve it you can't go back, he couldn't stand it.
Yan!Sylus who becomes your source of comfort when you feel homesick, when you have nightmares of waking up dead. Who feels a small thrill of having you so vulnerable to him.
And yet... you still keep your distance. Refuse to get close to him the closeness he wants. Why?
Yan!Sylus who finally finds MC in the N109 Zone, just as you said he would. Who notices that once he tells you this, you begin to withdraw again, to become distant why why why. When questioned, you tell him you don't want to disrupt the story if only you knew how much you already had.
Yan!Sylus who doesn't listen to your advice about being gentler or friendlier with MC. Who treats her like he does in the normal game maybe a bit harsher. Who tries whatever he can think of to force the memories back, frustrated with the situation between her and you.
Yan!Sylus who thinks about his love with Miss Hunter. It’s always surrounded with violence and selfishness. But with you… you’re gentle and giving. Even knowing everything he is, you accept him and treat him with a kindness he’s never known. Perhaps…
Yan!Sylus who finally manages to have her in his home, only to find you can be found nowhere. It's like you're avoiding him when he needs your comfort the most. Who feels like he's going insane.
Yan!Sylus who finally confronts you about your distance. Who is shocked (though he shouldn't be) to find out that you're avoiding him because you don't want to complicate things between him and Miss Hunter. You reason that trying to insert yourself in a love story you don't belong in isn't fair to anyone including yourself.
Yan!Sylus who demands to know what you want. Who uses his Aether Core again to see what you truly desire. Who sees that you want him, but you want him to be happy. That you think he's happiest with Miss Hunter. That you see yourself as less than her and undeserving of him.
Yan!Sylus who insists that you’re wrong, that you’re absolutely incredible in your own way that you make him happy. You smile and accept his words, but it’s clear you don’t believe him. Well, he’ll make you believe him…
Yan!Sylus who kills MC. Who takes back his soul. I suppose the dragon’s curse ended up coming to pass, didn’t it? Who makes her death look like an accident - innocent crossfire in the N109 Zone.
Yan!Sylus who knows you know what must have happened. After all, Miss Hunter is the main character of this story. She’s not supposed to die yet. And his mourning period was far too short for his beloved.
Yan!Sylus who knows he doesn’t have to worry about you running. The N109 Zone is a death wish without his protection. And the rest of the world won’t be accepting of someone with no records, no history, nothing. Whether you like it or not, you’re stuck with him.
Yan!Sylus who is unafraid of the consequences of his actions. He’ll regain your affection eventually. And he doesn’t fear what could happen if the Hunter’s Association, the Farspace Fleet, or her myriad of mythical lovers find out about the truth of Miss Hunter’s death. He’ll take them on and burn them to the ground. He’d pay the price over and over again to have you.
Yan!Sylus who doesn’t need his sorceress because he found his treasure.
This is my first time writing something like this so I’d appreciate any feedback (as long as it’s constructive)
My first quiz ever! Let me know what yall think
at least you kissed the brick before you threw it at my face 😭
Bloody dean kissing Cas leaking out grace save me, save me bloody dean kissing Cas leaking out grace
(Timelapse under the cut)
Evenfall by @macy2me
yall im in the trenches out here. like don’t get me wrong i love me some good Sterek fics, but please let a girl be delusional and think that Derek is in love with me. So please help a girly out 😔 (me on my knees begging)
Premise:
Trope: Pure fluff Pairing: Reader x Rafayel Note: Reader and the men are NOT in a relationship. but there is implied mutual attraction.My inbox is open for prompts and requests :)
The door to Rafayel’s art studio creaked open with a low groan, revealing the delightful chaos you’d come to expect from him. The smell of turpentine and drying paint hung in the air, mingling with the faint trace of his cologne, still clinging to the fabric of his draped coats scattered across the furniture. Brushes were strewn across the floor like forgotten soldiers, and streaks of bright reds, blues, and golds marred every surface they could reach. His easel stood near the large bay window, bathed in the warm light of the setting sun, but the canvas was blank—typical.
Your lips curved into a fond smile as you carefully balanced the takeaway bag in your hands, its fragrant contents filling the room with the rich aroma of saffron butter lobster, a delicacy Rafayel adored. You'd made the extra effort to get it from his favorite little corner bistro across town, knowing how particular he was about its preparation. You could almost taste it yourself, though you knew the real joy would come when you saw his face light up in surprise. The food was just the excuse; it was your way of showing you cared, in the only way you knew how.
Everything about this place felt so distinctly him: vibrant, alive, chaotic—and somehow, it always made your heart feel at ease. On days when the world seemed too heavy, when exhaustion clung to your bones like a second skin, or even on days when your heart was full to bursting with happiness, this was where you found yourself.
“Rafayel!” you called, your voice carrying through the disarray.
There was no response at first, just the faint rustling of papers somewhere deeper in the studio. Then, a muffled voice, drowsy and half-hearted: “Mmm… what is it? Just leave it on the counter…”
You rolled your eyes but couldn’t help the soft laugh that escaped you. “You know, one of these days, I’m going to walk in and find you buried under all this paint,” you muttered, mostly to yourself, as you set the bag on the counter in the tiny kitchen space, careful not to knock over an open jar of brushes.
You made your way toward his bedroom, following the source of his sleepy mumblings. The door was slightly ajar, and when you pushed it open, your heart stuttered in your chest.
There he was, curled up under a rumpled duvet, his face half-buried in the pillow, soft wavy locks falling haphazardly across his forehead. He looked peaceful, his usual sharp edges smoothed out in the quiet vulnerability of sleep. The rise and fall of his chest was steady, rhythmic, lulling you into a moment of stillness. Your heart gave a little lurch, and your fingers twitched with the need to touch him, to just feel close to him for a second. You slowly crossed the room, the soft creak of the floorboards under your feet the only sound in the otherwise silent room. Rafayel didn’t stir, still lost in the depths of his sleep.
“Rafayel,” you whispered gently, your voice barely above a breath, not wanting to disturb the peaceful moment too harshly. He didn’t respond. Not even a slight shift in his posture. He was deep in sleep, completely oblivious to the world around him.
You crouched beside the bed, your hand hovering above his arm, hesitating for just a moment before you placed it gently on his shoulder. The warmth of his skin radiated beneath the fabric of his shirt, and your heart skipped a beat at the feel of him—so close, so tangible. Your touch was soft, just a light shake, meant to wake him without startling him too much.
But still, he didn’t wake. He just shifted slightly, mumbling something incoherent, his voice thick with sleep. You couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at your lips as you watched him, your heart swelling in your chest. This was him. Carefree, a little bratty, but so easy to fall for. Even when he was asleep, you could see that side of him that you adored so much—the part of him that no one else saw.
“Rafayel,” you repeated, a little more insistently this time, brushing a strand of his hair away from his face as you leaned down slightly. His features softened in his sleep, and for a moment, you simply watched him, breathing in the quiet, wishing you could keep him here, in this moment, forever.
He remained blissfully unaware, sinking deeper into his cocoon of blankets, a faint sigh escaping his lips. You huffed a quiet laugh, feeling the corners of your eyes prickle with emotion. The intimacy of the scene, the quiet domesticity of it, filled you with an aching sort of joy and longing.
You really were in love with him.
And yet, you couldn’t bring yourself to say it. The words tangled themselves in your throat, caught between fear and hope. What if he dismissed it with one of his trademark teasing quips? Or worse, what if he didn’t feel the same way?
But as you sat there, watching him sleep so peacefully, you couldn’t help but wonder—what if he did?
Sighing lightly, you shifted closer and sat at the edge of the bed, carefully brushing your fingers along his cheek. The familiar feeling of his soft skin, the heat of his presence even in sleep, made your chest tighten. You found yourself gazing at him, heart aching with the truth you hadn’t yet dared to voice.
This was it, wasn’t it? This was the moment. The moment you had been waiting for, even though it scared you.
You hadn’t planned for it. The words hadn’t been rehearsed in your mind, but they slipped out anyway, so natural and so real, as if they had always been waiting to be said.
"I love you," you whispered, your voice barely audible, yet full of every emotion you had kept hidden for so long.
The words hung in the air, soft as the warm glow of the setting sun that filtered through the cracks in the blinds. I love you. The phrase had slipped from your lips almost without thinking, like it was always meant to be said in that moment. But as soon as they left you, your heart thudded in your chest, as if it recognized the enormity of the confession you had just made.
Your breath caught in your throat as a wave of panic washed over you. Had he heard? Had you really just said it out loud? The room suddenly felt too small, too intimate, as if the walls were pressing in, waiting for him to react.
You stood up quickly, a quiet flush creeping up your neck as you considered leaving the room before he could tease you about it—before the reality of your feelings could settle in. You didn’t know what you were expecting, but the last thing you anticipated was the sudden, sharp tug on your wrist.
With a startled yelp, you were pulled back onto the bed, landing softly on the plush duvet. A laugh—half playful, half lazy—escaped from Rafayel’s lips as he wrapped his arm around your waist, pulling you snugly against him. His warmth enveloped you instantly, and his body pressed close behind you as he spooned you, his breath hot against your neck.
Your heart raced in your chest, pounding like a drum as your mind scrambled to catch up. He heard.
“I heard that,” he said, his voice low and controlled, a smirk lacing his words. There was no teasing, no mockery, just the barest trace of something... softer. “You… love me.”
You tried to pull away, your chest tightening, but his arm was an unyielding weight, keeping you exactly where he wanted you. His fingers tightened around your wrist, holding you gently but firmly against him.
You froze, your heartbeat echoing in your ears as your skin prickled with both warmth and nervousness. You hadn’t thought he had heard it, not with how quiet it had been, how small your voice had been. You swallowed, unsure of what to say.
"Y-you were dreaming," you muttered, though it didn’t sound convincing even to your own ears.
He chuckled softly, a sound that sent shivers through you. The next words that left his mouth were not teasing, not playful, but serious—intentional. "Then why does your heart feel like a fish swimming away in a current?"
The question was simple, but it made you freeze, your breath hitching as the truth of your feelings settled like a heavy weight in your chest. You couldn’t deny it. Not to him. Not anymore.
Before you could respond, his arm wrapped around you more tightly, pulling you closer until you could feel the steady beat of his heart against your back. His face pressed into your hair, his breath warm against your scalp as he inhaled deeply, as if memorizing your scent.
He stayed there for a long moment, his body a comforting, grounding presence behind you. Then, with a soft, almost playful command, he spoke again.
“Say it again,” he whispered, his voice a little rough. “Say it again. I want to be sure.”
Your pulse raced. This was real now. There was no going back. His words, his presence, made the room feel smaller, but somehow safer, as if the world outside didn’t matter at this very moment.
You inhaled shakily, turning your head slightly to meet the fabric of the pillow, and in a breathless whisper, you said it again.
“I love you.”
The words felt different this time—stronger, more sure. As soon as they left your lips, you felt his arms tighten around you, pulling you into his chest as if he never wanted to let go. He buried his face in your hair once more, his lips brushing against your ear.
"It took you long enough to admit it,” he teased, his voice laced with a bratty affection. “I’ve been waiting to hear that, you know."
You laughed softly, a nervous, relieved sound that trembled at the edges, but his tone shifted, the playfulness slipping away. His voice dropped to something much softer, much deeper, as he whispered against your ear. "But I've been waiting to hear that... for so long. Waiting to hear you."
Your chest tightened, and you could feel the warmth of his breath against your skin, his heart steady and strong beneath you. “I love you too, so so much. You have no idea the things I would do for you... to keep you like this., in my arms.” he said, so quietly, as though he hadn’t said it out loud for fear of it being taken away, yet there was no doubt in his voice, no hesitation.
You didn’t know how long the silence stretched between you, but it felt like time itself had slowed to a crawl. The only sound in the room was the rhythm of your breathing, and the sound of your two hearts beating in perfect harmony, as if they had always been meant to beat together.
But you shifted, just a little, as if instinctively trying to move, to pull away—something in you telling you to give him space, even though you didn’t want to. He wasn’t having it.
"I’m not letting you go anywhere, cutie…" Rafayel murmured, his voice low and possessive. You were about to protest, to say something, but before you could, he tugged you even closer, trapping you against him, his arm locking around you like a vice. You felt a surge of warmth sweep through you, a sudden softness, and his voice came again, teasing, but this time with a gentle, almost adoring lilt.
"You can be my plushie for tonight," he said, a playful, lazy grin creeping into his tone, even though the words were laced with the kind of affection you rarely saw from him. "And the next night...and the night after...and forever more."
You didn’t argue. You didn’t want to. For tonight, for as long as this moment lasted, you could stay here, wrapped in his warmth, his scent, his arms.
And as you settled back against his chest, your heart still fluttering, you knew, with complete certainty, that this was exactly where you were supposed to be.
AN: reblogs, feedback and opinions are appreciated!
Pairings: Dragon!sylus x reader
Notes: sorry for dying I’m back now, I got sick, and I hate this respectfully I will write a better piece once I’m feeling better.
Warning: mentions of dead deers, Beast!Sylus.
The first time you saw Sylus, you thought you were going to die.
Not because he attacked you. No—he stood still at the edge of the clearing, wings half-folded, steam rising from his nostrils. His skin shimmered like obsidian, black horns curving back over a crown of tangled white hair. He was… massive. Nearly seven or more feet of muscle, talons, and silent, menacing power.
He approached one day while you were outside, picking some carrots from your little farm outside of your cottage house.
And he dropped a dead deer at your feet.
Just—thump. Right there. Legs curled awkwardly, neck broken, but it was still warm.
You stood frozen, eyes flicking from the deer to the dragon-man and back again. He said nothing. Just stared, red eyes unblinking, tail twitching like he was waiting for something.
“…Do you… want me to cook it?” you asked weakly.
He blinked. Once. Then turned and vanished into the trees.
The second time, it was gold.
He didn’t make a sound at dawn. You just stepped out of your cottage one morning and there it was: a heap of raw gold nuggets and coins, like someone robbed an entire mountain.
You stood on the porch with your tea, staring at the glittering pile and blinking hard.
“…Is this a trap? Or maybe—maybe the forest spirits finally accepted my offerings of mushroom stew.”
You knelt down to inspect the coins. They were ancient. Some of them had runes you didn’t recognize. One had a dragon engraved on it. You poked it.
A low growl rumbled behind you.
You jumped, turning to find him again—towering, hulking, silent. Red eyes fixed on you.
“You again?” you whispered. “Okay, this is… this is getting a little weird.”
He stepped closer. You backed up.
“Did you lose this?” you asked, pointing at the gold. You knew how much dragons like treasures or shiny things, and getting barbecued by a dragon was not on your to do list this morning. “I can… help you carry it back?”
He stared. Then, slowly, he said, “Take it.”
You hesitated. “I mean, I guess I could keep a few—”
His wings twitched. “Take it.”
“…Okay.”
You picked up one coin.
He exhaled hard through his nose, clearly unimpressed. With a frustrated snort, he turned and walked off again, stomping like the very earth offended him.
The third time it happened, it was rocks—shiny ones. Polished quartz, opal, raw moonstone, the kind of stones that sparkled like water under moonlight. You found them lined across your windowsill one morning, arranged carefully as if someone had studied where the light hit best.
You sighed, fingers brushing over the smooth surfaces
“This again…”
The forest was silent behind you—but not for long.
A rustle. Then heavy, deliberate footsteps. Heat crawled up your spine before you even turned.
And there he was.
Sylus.
Towering, wings partially unfurled, horns gleaming in the dappled light. White hair tangled from wind and weather. Red eyes, burning like coals, locked on you.
He stood still. Staring.
You stared back, heart stuttering in your chest. “You again…”
He didn’t speak, not at first. He just nodded to the rocks with a barely perceptible tilt of his head.
“You brought these?” you asked, voice unsure.
He exhaled heavily, a deep sound from the pit of his chest. Then, in that low, growling voice, he said,
“Take them.”
You hesitated, brows furrowing. “They’re… beautiful, but why do you keep bringing me things? The deer, the gold, now these—”
“You not… understand?” he asked slowly.
You scratched the back of your head, awkward. “Understand what?”
He stared at you, expression unreadable, and then sighed—deeply. He looked down, broad shoulders slumping just a bit. Like a man who had tried very hard to follow the sacred rites of his kind and was now at the end of his rope.
Was he really this doomed?
“You are human,” he muttered. “But… pretty.”
Your cheeks flushed. “Um… thanks?”
He looked up again, eyes intense. “Good scent. Good eyes. I like your laugh.”
That only made it worse. Your heart kicked up in your chest.
“I brought prey. I brought gold. I brought treasure. I make nest warm. You live in it. You eat. You make funny noises when happy.” He stepped closer, voice rough, sincere. “I protect you. I fly over your roof at night. I scent-mark the trees so no male gets close.”
“You… what?”
He blinked once. “You are my mate.”
You froze.
“M-Mate?”
“Yes.”
Your lips parted, but no sound came out. A hundred things crashed into each other in your brain. The gifts. The constant watching. The deer. The way he always appeared when you left your cabin too far behind.
“Wait,” you said softly. “The deer was… a courtship gift?”
He nodded.
“And the gold?”
“A dowry.”
“…The rocks?”
“For your nest.”
“…Oh my god,” you whispered. “I’ve been accidentally accepting your… your dragon proposal this whole time.”
His tail flicked. “Yes.”
You groaned, covering your face. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“I am dragon,” he said, almost stubborn. “I bring gifts. You are meant to understand.”
You peeked at him between your fingers. “Well, we’re very different, because I just thought I was being haunted by a very generous forest spirit.”
His nostrils flared. “I am not a spirit. I am Sylus. And I chose you.”
Your chest tightened at how… earnest he sounded. There was no guile, no smooth charm. Just raw, beast-like devotion. He’d been courting you the only way he knew how. And you’d been accepting everything without a clue.
“You said I’m your mate,” you said carefully. “But what if I don’t feel… ready for that?”
His eyes flickered. “Then I wait.”
You blinked.
“I do not take,” he said. “I give. Always. Until you give back.”
You stared up at him. “Even if it takes years for me?”
“I live long. I can wait.”
Your heart felt too big for your chest.
Then you reached out—slow, cautious, and brushed your fingers over the back of his hand.
His breath caught.
“…I’m not saying yes,” you whispered. “But I’m not saying no.”
His wings twitched slightly, his tail curling around your porch like a barrier. You half expected him to roar or make some triumphant noise, but instead He lowered his head to your hand, and pressed his warm, scaly forehead to your palm.
A growl, low and soft, rumbled from his throat.
It sounded like a purr.
Weeks later…
You sat on your porch, legs tucked under you, a blanket over your lap. The shiny stones had been arranged into a little circle beside you. A bowl of soup sat nearby.
A shadow passed overhead, followed by a familiar gust of heat and wind.
Sylus landed quietly for someone his size. He approached slowly, claws tapping the wood.
“You are back” you smiled.
You reached into your pocket and pulled out something small—clumsy, handmade. A necklace you’d woven with leather cord, threaded with one of the moonstones he’d brought.
You held it out, and he stared, surprised.
“You said dragons give. But I want to give something too.”
He took it, slowly, like he thought it might disappear. His claw curled around it carefully.
Then, with deep reverence, he tied it around one of his horns.
“I will never remove it,” he said.
You laughed softly and leaned back against his warm side as he sat beside you.
You still weren’t sure where this path would lead.
But he was warm. Loyal. Fierce.
And most of all, he waited for you.
You looked up at the stars and smiled.
“…Maybe being with you wouldn’t be so bad.”