Sooyeon felt herself being shaken slightly. Was it morning already? She was sore for some reason. She moaned and cracked her eyes open. When she saw Taeyeon there in his human form she groggily looked at him in wonder. Then she remembered what had happened the night before. She was in Taeyeon's lair... He had probably changed forms to keep from scaring her when he woke her. But she did not want to get up.

"I want to go back to sleep, Taeyeon," she said, burying her face into the green velvet pillow.

"It's morning," he whispered into her ear, his warm breath making her neck tingle. She fidgeted from the sensation.

"But I'm still tired." Her voice was muffled by the pillow. "Can't I stay here today?"

"Sooyeon, you have to go or your parents will worry." He was her hair and it made her sigh happily. "So will Hyoyeon. And what if Yul were to come to the shop today to see you?"

"I don't care." She shook her head and clutched the pillow. "I want to stay here!"

There were suddenly teeth nibbling on her ear and she squealed. She turned over immediately, meeting the dragon lord's silver eyes. She smiled rather innocently. His expression remained serious.

"Get up," he said, sounding a little irritated.

"No," she responded rather childishly, her innocent look remaining.

A silent moment followed as they looked at each other. Taeyeon's expression slowly softened as they gazed into each other's eyes. Neither of them noticed their faces moving closer. When their lips met, though, she savored the soft touch, but Taeyeon pulled away quickly. He turned away from her with closed eyes then stood.

"Taeyeon," she said quietly.

"You need to go before your parents worry," he reiterated.

The young woman sat up. "Taeyeon..."

"No," He looked down at her, seemingly distraught. "you cannot stay with me."

Sooyeon clutched the green pillow to her chest. She was on the verge of tears. "Alright. I'll go."

The tone of her voice made his heart ache. "Please, Sooyeon, understand. I would love for you to stay with me but... but it's not right, is it? I'm a dragon... you're human." He shook his head then chuckled uneasily, looking up to the ceiling of his cave. "And you're not even of age yet..."

There was a long silence from her. She was still holding the pillow to her, tighter now than before. A tear rolled down her cheek. Finally, she nodded, though weakly.

The dragon lord turned back to her and offered her his hand. She took it after putting aside the pillow and he pulled her up. When she was on her feet, she tossed her arms around his neck, burying her face in his neck. He wrapped his arms around her and held her gently. He could hear her gentle sobs, but it did not seem like there were any tears coming from her eyes.

"I want you to always be with me," she said into his neck.

Taeyeon