#this year was ebony for my parents anniversary and he carved roses into ebony piano keys and used the excess parts as the leaves

[monsterpoppy]

Ahh no smut this time, but I wanted to write more, I think I want to pump out some drabbles to get my creative juices flowing for November.

Anyway this is about a girl who gets a few priceless gifts from a dragon! The part about the mother’s ring is actually based on my mom’s engagement ring. My dad designed it himself to make it look like a flower as a diamond and synthetic alexandrite as petals. It’s hands down the most beautiful engagement ring I’ve ever seen.

“What is that?” You asked aloud. There was a present sitting on your office desk and it wasn’t your birthday. Christmas was only a few weeks away, but you didn’t put your name in for your floor’s Secret Santa. It reminded you of one of those large Ferrero Roche candies you got on sale after Valentines Day. It had taken you a month to eat it all. The present was wrapped in pale pink, tied at the top with a sheer pink bow.

“Looks like a gift.” Donny said without looking up from his cubicle.

“Open it, open it!” Cassie said excitedly, leaning on her chair. You stifled a sigh, it was too early for this. You set your bag down on the floor and fingered the bow. Fuck it. You thought and pulled the ribbon apart. The wrapping was gathered to stay in the bow and once you removed it, the paper split, revealing the item inside.

“Is that a paperweight?” You mused. It looked almost comical. It was a large gem, a bright reddish purple cut into what looked like a giant cushion. You had to admit, it was pretty and you attempted to lift it up but was surprised at how heavy it was. You expected a paperweight to have some heft to it, but not this much.

“Aw what a disappointment.” Cassie grumbled, going back to work. You frowned and blushed. You weren’t enemies but you didn’t really get along with your coworkers. They were polite, asking you how your day was and drinking with you at office parties but that was it. You had been at the company for several years, and still it felt like you had just transferred. Sighing, you slipped the wrapping paper from under the fake gem and tossed it into the garbage, sliding the gift into your bag with a thunk and sat down to work.

You promptly forgot about it until you were ready to leave. You lugged the bag over your shoulder and headed home, grumbling. You were too embarrassed by your coworkers reaction to even wonder who would give you such a thing. It had to be someone in the office; you worked in a place that managed a very wealthy dragon’s money. No way could someone come in to just drop off a gift. The security didn’t even let significant others up to drop off their loved ones lunches, not to mention if anyone was stupid enough to steal from a dragon.

You decided it was a prank.

You decided to pull the gem out, to see if you could find anything on it. When you did, you nearly dropped it again. The gem was now a bright green, gleaming in the dwindling sun. You immediately thought to your mother’s engagement ring. In the center was a diamond and flanked were two oblong synthetic alexandrites. You remember always loving the way it would change colors and constantly steal it to put it in the sun before bringing it back inside.

Someone had given you a very convincing looking alexandrite giant gem. You had no idea if it was real or not, but you didn’t want to find out. If anyone saw you with this big of a gem, they’d either think you stole it, or got it illegally. You shoved it back inside your bag and hugged your coat tighter around you, stalking back to your apartment to sleep it off.

The paperweight had found a spot on your windowsill, next to your ivy. Even if it was fake, you still loved how the colors changed from day to night. Damn, whoever had gotten you this was good. Pretty soon, however, it became apart of the décor and you lost interest in finding out who gave it to you. No card and no further interaction or gifts, so you figured it was a one time deal.

That was until there was a small plain box on your desk waiting for you one morning. You had decided to come in early, this weekend was the company Christmas party, and you didn’t want to have to work overtime and have it cut into your prep time. The office was nearly empty, save for a few of the older early birds but you figured that they didn’t have anything to do with it. Before you changed your mind, you opened the box and found a thick cardstock folded neatly on top.

Curious, you lifted it up and underneath were a set of teardrop earrings and a simple pendant necklace. The gems were a dark blue and purple, rather than your large gem coloring. The chain and hooks were a beautiful rose gold. Gorgeous, you thought, turning your attention back to the card in your hands.

Y/N,

I apologize for the random gifts, but I believe you would have a deeper appreciation for them than the average person. Please accept this gift.

Not even a signature. You would have been positive that this gift was placed in the wrong cubicle if it wasn’t directly addressed to you. The set was the most expensive things you could ever dream of owning. But, you weren’t sure what to do. So you didn’t do anything. You gingerly placed the card back into the box and left it on your desk and began to work.

You weren’t sure why, but you slipped it quietly into your purse when more coworkers arrived. You had no idea what type of gemstone it was, but it was beautiful and you couldn’t help but want to try it on to see what it looked on you.

By the end of the day, you had finished all of your bookkeeping and whisked yourself back to your apartment to get ready. This year the party was held in a grand ballroom in the heart of the city. According to office gossip, the company was going all out this year and pulling no punches.

So you decided you weren’t going to either. Work was business attire, and you hated the boring colors you had to wear all the time. So you chose a flirty, light royal purple dress, even though it was more on the expensive side. You took your time getting ready, making sure your makeup was flawless and your hair silky smooth. You were in the midst of putting a plain set of pearls around your neck when you glanced at your bag next to your vanity. You bit your lip, glad your red matte lipstick had set and wouldn’t smudge. Almost unconsciously you walked over and pulled out the box, opening it and pulling out the simple yet elegant jewelry. You decided it was a perfect match for your outfit.

What a coincidence.

Feeling ready, you grabbed your small clutch and checked the bands of your heels one last time before heading out.

--

The ballroom was beautiful. The music was noticeable but not obnoxiously loud and rather than corny Christmas songs the whole time it switched to more upbeat tunes. People were laughing and dancing, drinking and eating. It was a very nice atmosphere. But you were a bit overwhelmed. You had found your coworkers pretty easily and they had pulled you into their fold for dinner and easy chatting. It did take a toll on you and you found yourself sitting down at the bar, sipping on Champaign and allowing yourself to recharge.

“Tanzanite right?” You jumped, your head whipping around towards the voice that sounded very close. A dragon stared at you, smiling softly and pointed to your earrings. You recognized him as a business partner of the owner of the company. His scales gleamed gold in the light. “It’s not every day you see such a pure form of tanzanite on such a lovely lady.”

“O-oh, well I wasn’t really sure,” you found yourself admitting, giving him a nervous smile. “It was a gift.” He nodded and made himself comfortable on the barstool next to you. Despite their humanoid figure, dragons were still huge. He had to be at least 8 feet tall, and that wasn’t including the curled horns on his head. His large tail swished behind him, nearly touching the floor even though he was sitting.

“Well, whoever gave it to you must really love you.” You choked on your drink, sputtering. You coughed, trying to get your breath back and your cheeks burned in embarrassment. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” you croaked, sounding the opposite of your words, with a wave of your hand. After clearing your throat one last time, you spoke again. “It was actually from someone I...don’t know.” You found yourself playing with the pendant, looking down at the sparkling jewel. “I have no idea who gave it to me. It wasn’t the first gift. I received something a few weeks earlier and I thought it was a joke.”

“Why?” The dragon asked with a tilt of his head.

“Well, it’s like a giant gem...thing. I thought it was paperweight made to look like a gem. But since receiving this,” you gestured towards your jewelry, “I’m not so sure it’s fake.” You weren’t sure why you were telling him all this. Maybe you wanted to get everything out. You glanced up at him, and you found yourself a little more at ease at his calm and yet open expression. “To be frank it’s pretty flattering, but I can’t help but think it was meant for someone else. I mean, I guess I wanted to wear this at least once before I had to give it to the actual person it was meant for.” You said with a shaky laugh. He didn’t laugh with you.

“Do you know anything about those gems?” The dragon said after a while, a strange look in his red eyes. You gave him a curious look and shook your head. “Tanzanite is found in only one spot in the whole world and extremely difficult to find the quality you have. And Alexandrite, mined and polished into a large size, is incredibly rare. Most stones of it that you see nowadays are synthetically made in a lab.” He reached a claw out and brushed it against one of the earrings, ghosting along your skin. “Any dragon would be able to tell these are genuine, carefully crafted and pure.” He was looking straight at you as he said this, and you felt the heat return at his intense gaze.

“I-I had no idea.” You mumbled, looking down at your hands. Now you felt like a thief. You felt a slight prick and your chin was pulled up until your eyes locked back with the dragons.

“Whoever gave you these knew how much Tanzanite and Alexandrite are worth; there is no way they wouldn’t make sure it was given to the right person.” The words soothed you and you smiled. But then his words registered in your head.

“I...never said what type of gem my first gift was.” You said slowly, your eyes squinting at him. His red eyes widened and he pulled back sharply, stuttering. “It was you, wasn’t it.” It wasn’t a question; even if it was the sheepish smile he gave you confirmed it.

“Ah well...” The dragon actually looked bashful as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Did you like them at least?”

“Of course!” You said a little too quickly and he glanced back up at you. He smiled, showing you his sharp teeth. “But, I don’t think we’ve ever said more than a few words to each other.”

“Correct,” he asserted, turning his large body back towards you and resting an arm on the bar counter. He watched as his hand gently caressed yours, his claws scraping the skin ever so gently. “I had seen you before, and thought you were beautiful. But I guess what started it was when you were in the elevator helping that boy pick out an engagement ring for his girlfriend.”

You started. That was at least six months ago! You had stepped into the elevator one evening to head home after a long day at work and stood between a few men already inside. One was a frantic looking man who was flipping through a ring catalog, an expression of panic clouding over his features. You felt bad, so you had asked if he found any that he liked. The man almost jumped a foot in the air but once he regained himself he had shaken his head, looking frantic. To help, you just started pointing out rings that you thought were pretty and speaking about the rings your mother and some friends had.

“It was the description of your mother’s ring that caught my attention.” The dragon said, smiling. “I thought that someone who could speak so fondly of a treasure that wasn’t even their own was a treasure themselves. I apologize if it seems forward, I can see how this all can come off as.” You found yourself shrugging, giving him a shy smile.

“Well, introducing yourself would have helped.” You teased and the dragon felt a weight lifted off his heart. After that, conversation seemed to come easy. You and him spoke for hours, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. The party came to an end all too quickly in your opinion and you found yourself being escorted by the large dragon back to your home.

He grumbled when you tried to unsuccessfully stifle your laughter at the sight of him struggling to get his big body out of the small cab. When he finally extradited himself, he glowered at you but that only made you fall into a fit of giggles.

“Would you like to come in for a bit? So you don’t have to get back in another tiny cab?” He smirked.

“I would love to.” He followed you quietly, ducking his head so his horns didn’t knock against the front door frame. Good thing your complex liked tall ceilings.

Inside you offered him tea and when you came out of the kitchen you noticed him standing by the window, looking down at the large gem.

“I thought it was the best place for it.” You said, sitting down on your couch and taking off your heels with a contented sigh. “I can see all of the colors that way.”

“Of course.” He sat down next to you and his weigh caused your body to tilt closer to him. The alcohol and the easy going atmosphere of the part wore off since you got back and you suddenly felt nervousness creep back. It was like you were back in high school with your first date. “I should do that with my gems.”

“Were these a part of your hoard or...?” You trailed off. What was the etiquette for talking about a dragon’s hoard? Was it private? You knew from your own boss that dragons took their hoard very seriously. Maybe you shouldn’t have asked.

“Of course.” He said again, as if it was the most obvious thing. “I chose my best ones, which took quite a while.”

“Why?” His head tilted at your question. “Why me, I mean? Why...give me these, from your own hoard no less?”

“Someone as lovely as you should always have treasures.”

“Do you want to add me to your hoard?” You joked, chuckling slightly to hide your nerves. No one had called you lovely before. Your kettle began to whine and you quickly rose to take it off the heat and into the mugs you set out. You jumped slightly when two massive arms wrapped themselves around you, claws slightly digging into the fabric of your dress.

“You’re worth more than all of the gems and gold in my hoard.” He said quietly, blowing warm air out of his nose and ruffling your hair. “It is terrible to think that they’re even on the same level as you.” He held you tightly, but it wasn’t stifling. You sighed, relaxing in his grip and leaning back into his chest. To be honest, you wouldn’t be offended if he had wanted to add you to his collection, if this was how he treated them.

“You sure know how to make a girl feel special.” You pat his clawed hand, rubbing your fingers against his golden scales. Heat seeped through your back into your bones, his body like a warm furnace and you hummed in content. You felt him move and press a warm, lingering kiss to your cheek.

“Am I being to forward?” He asked timidly, kissing your temple.

“No knight is going to come running out.” You both shared a quiet chuckle. You turned your head to return the kisses, this time gently placing your lips over his own. “I don’t think I would mind being your treasure.”