Stop the world

Koa

Don't you just wanna wake up dark as a lake
Smelling like a bonfire, lost in a haze?

The secret, Flora, is that Koa simply isn't that complicated. He's a simple lad. A himbo to the fullest. It's easier to sort out your feelings out when they're largely made up of primary colors, rather than nuanced hues.

Or, pretend your color blind.

It feels like they're getting somewhere. The palpable tension ebbs away, the wave of emotion having finally crashed. Koa even allows himself a smile, the barest little hopeful thing, lighting his eyes with warm copper as he gazes at the Queen. The hand he's extended hovers hopefully, and as she moves hers the Dragoon's chest tightens, relief at their imminent reconciliation blooming within him--

And then she disappears.

And it's like he's been punched in the gut, or cast back to the Wilds. Sure, she's still there, the dragon trembling in mid-air is proof enough of that, but in a larger, more important sense, he feels like she's gone. Like she's placed a barrier between them, again, and he'd be lying if he wasn't reminded of another day with another blonde, when another wall was built. Sohalia hadn't wanted his help, and now Flora doesn't, either and what is the point of him he can't be useful, too weak and stupid and slow and basic to contribute anything at all?

The extended hand hovers before clenching, tight, pulled back into the Dragoon's lap. Unable to see Flora, Koa stares at the ground near where her legs just were, his expression that of a thoroughly beaten dog. "That... yeah. Okay. That makes sense." What's he supposed to say? Nah babe, I got this? You should count on me, even though your parents are all literal demigods and I'm just an idiot who got yeeted into a swamp?

"Just... let me know if I can do anything. You don't have to hide from me, y'know?" He chuckles wryly, though it doesn't reach his eyes. "Plus, I still owe you dinner. Y'know, to celebrate you becoming Queen." A promise made what feels like a life and a half ago.

If you're drunk on life, babe, I think it's great
But while in this world I think I'll take my whiskey neat