Here’s a sneak peek of the upcoming Malcolm extra, where we follow Malcolm and a dragon pisen, Baern, trying to be friends when their first meeting didn’t go too well. They’re both trying to apologise while their partners watch on, trying to make sure it all goes well.

——

Malcolm

My lips part just as he opens his mouth. We both freeze.

I meant to let him go first, but it seems he had the same plan. I wait for him to go, but he keeps quiet, his bright eyes bugging even as he holds mine. 

It’s the only part of him that moves, the rest locked tight like he’s terrified of what might happen next.

I try again. “Nice—”

“How—” He starts, only to stop as we interrupt each other again. 

He sucks in a breath, bracing for the worst until a laugh breaks past my lips. He startles a little, setting back like he means to bolt until it seems to register that I’m not about to lunge at him.

His shoulders drop as his breath blows out of hi,m and he laughs a little too. He’s hesitant with it, but when I smile up at him with genuine amusement, his lips pull into a careful smile.

I lift my hand, stretching it out between us. “Hi. I’m Malcolm.”

He stares at it for a long moment before he glances at me, his lips stammering aimlessly before he glances back at his pyro, who watches us like a hawk. She makes a hurried gesture of shaking a hand.

“Oh shoot,” I say, face-palming. He jolts again as his head snaps back to me. “Sorry, sometimes I forget I’m in a different universe entirely. Where I come from, you shake it when you are meeting someone for the first time. I was trying to greet you.”

“Oh,” he breathes, his voice surprisingly hushed for a man of his size. “I am sorry. I did not know.”

“No, it’s on me,” I say, shaking my head, but he’s already got his hand up a second later. His expression tightens with determination that transforms him from a nervous and bubbling pisen to a deadly dragon in a heartbeat.

“I am ready,” he says, staring at his hand with concentration.

——————-

BAERN!!! STOP!!! I already have too many characters I’m obsessed with, you can’t do this to me!!!!!!

Thoughts???????

How are we feeling about this little glimpse and the two of them interacting for the first time?!?!? Let me tell you, it’s like cuteness mania unleashed, I feel like I’m being shot in the face with fluff

I can’t take it and I already need more and I’m not even done yet ughhhhh

I’m aiming to have this extra out by Thursday!! But if that changes, I’ll let ya’ll know in the chatrooms!

Love you all,
Tippy