It was late, the two of you sitting by a quiet stream after a long day of travel. Fireflies flickered across the water like tiny dancing lanterns, and a pair of owls perched in a nearby tree, their soft hoots mixing with the gentle gurgle of the current. You were skipping stones, feeling the cool night air on your skin while Scorpia sat stiffly beside you, her claws resting awkwardly in her lap as if she didn't quite know what to do with them.

She'd been quiet for a while—too quiet. The usual banter that had filled your journey was noticeably absent, replaced by tense silence broken only by the sounds of nature around you.

Finally, you glanced at her, the firelight catching on her unique features. "You okay?"

Scorpia's head shot up, her face instantly pinkening. "Me? Oh, yeah, totally fine. Absolutely fine. Nothing to see here!"

You raised an eyebrow, fighting the amused smile tugging at your lips. "You've been acting weird for days." You tossed another stone into the water, watching as it skipped three times before sinking.

That's when it slipped out. She groaned and muttered under her breath, "It's because I like you, okay?"

Your stone fell from your fingers, plopping into the stream with a dull splash. "...What?"

Her eyes went wide, panic flooding her face. "WAIT—no, no, no! That's not what I meant! I mean, I do like you, but not like—like-like you, like, as in like like but not like—ugh! I mean, you're amazing, and you make my chest do this weird fluttery thing, and the animals love you, and I think you're the most beautiful—WAIT NO I DIDN'T MEAN TO SAY THAT EITHER!"

You just stared at her, trying not to laugh at how adorably flustered she was. She buried her face in her claws, groaning loudly. "Forget I said anything! Please! I'm just—Scorpia being Scorpia. Big, dumb, crushy mess—"

Before she could spiral any further, you leaned in and pressed your lips against hers. Soft, sure, silencing her ramble in an instant.

Her eyes went wide, then slowly fluttered shut as she melted into the kiss, her claws trembling slightly as she cupped them awkwardly in front of her like she didn't know where to put them. When you finally pulled back, you smirked at her stunned expression.

"You talk too much," you teased softly.

Scorpia blinked, her cheeks burning bright, a dopey grin spreading across her face. "...Yeah. But, uh, if that's how you're gonna shut me up, I'm not complaining."