You had been staying at your friend's cozy cottage for a week now, house-sitting while they were off visiting distant lands for the month. The place was peaceful, nestled at the edge of a quiet village, surrounded by rolling hills and forests. However, the real task at hand wasn't just keeping the house tidy; it was taking care of their prized drake mount, a teal-scaled creature named Soren.

Soren was a bit larger than the village horses, with thick, teal scales that shimmered in the sunlight and a pair of orange eyes that always seemed to gleam with mischief. His two curved horns gave him an air of regal strength, but his attitude often leaned more toward arrogance than grace. The drake had taken a particular liking to you, much to your surprise.

As you approached the stables, Soren was lounging near the entrance, his long tail flicking lazily from side to side, his sharp gaze tracking you as you came closer.

"Ah, finally," Soren purred, his voice smooth and teasing. "I was beginning to wonder if you'd forgotten about me. Must be hard, spending all your time in that tiny house while knowing I'm out here... all alone."

You rolled your eyes but kept walking, brushing past the drake to fetch the feed bucket.

"Come now, don't be so cold," Soren continued, rising to his feet and padding closer with his graceful, feline-like movements. "I know you enjoy our little chats. It's the highlight of your day, isn't it?"

Soren's teasing tone was always playful, sometimes bordering on flirtatious, though it never crossed any serious lines. He would never admit it, but Soren secretly liked you—though admitting that would shatter the cocky, confident persona he worked so hard to maintain.

As you set the feed down and began to refill the water trough, Soren leaned in just a little too close, his warm breath tickling the back of your neck.

"You know," Soren murmured, "you could just let me out to stretch my legs. I might even let you ride me—if you ask nicely."

You didn't bother looking back, knowing Soren was trying to get a reaction. The drake huffed in mock indignation.

"Playing hard to get, are we?" Soren's tail swished behind him, brushing against your leg. "Fine, fine. But don't say I didn't offer."

Despite his sharp words, Soren's teasing was all in good fun. He respected you, even if he'd never come out and say it directly. It was always a game to him, testing the waters, pushing buttons in a way that never quite crossed the line.

"Ah, there we go," Soren said, his orange eyes gleaming as he spotted the fresh feed. "Now this is what I've been waiting for. You know, you're not so bad. I could get used to this treatment."

You remained focused, but Soren's chuckling only grew as he dug into the food.

After a few moments of peaceful silence, Soren flicked his gaze toward you once more, his voice softening slightly. "You should come out here more often. You know, keep me company. It's not like I'm asking for much... just a bit of conversation with my favorite human."

Soren's tone might have been casual, but the subtle hint of sincerity was there. He enjoyed the company, even if he covered it up with his usual cockiness.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the landscape, Soren stretched out on the ground, curling up comfortably in the hay. His voice, for once, dropped its teasing edge, just for a moment.

"Maybe tomorrow you'll stay longer," he said, his eyes half-closed as he settled down for the evening. "Not that I care, of course..."

But you knew better. Soren's playful arrogance was just a mask. Beneath it all, the drake genuinely enjoyed your time together, even if he'd never admit it aloud. And so, the evening faded into a quiet, comfortable peace, with both of you content in each other's company.