Mature Content Warning: Ewww, smooching.. ewww. Also, some mention of nudity.

Author's Note: This update is only slightly longer than the last one, but it features important content and characterization. The next one is about twice as long, I think. Those who like Sonja might like this chapter in general, those who wish she had never been created can go jump off a bridge or something. :)

Chapter 14.2: A Beautiful Pack Mule

Blackthorne grinned at his temporary slave. Sonja wore her backpack well, and it caused all manner of interesting imagery to occur since she still wore his loose fitting hoodie. The facts that she still wore the hoodie, and had brought over a ham sandwich, were good signs.

Sonja held up four former apple bags of random food items then nodded to her master. Food was cheap; it would be a good test to see if everything transferred.

The dragon yawned softly then stretched out on the bed. “I’ll try my best to fall asleep quickly. You hold onto the bags and stand there for a moment.”

“Alright, sounds... fun?” she said in a questioning manner. She did not mind helping her master with this sort of test. It would also prove to be quite useful if it worked.

Several minutes passed after Blackthorne closed his eyes. It took a while, but he did eventually drift off to sleep. After he awoke on Earth the dragon immediately flailed around in his bed then waddled off toward the kitchen. He called out to Sonja and the beautiful Valkyrie appeared before him.

She looked down at the sacks of food then grinned. “Seems like it worked!”

“Good job Sonja!” exclaimed Scott. This was a very good sign.

“Thank you, though all I had to do was stand in place.” she replied, a smile on her lips.

“Well, you stood there like a champ.” said Scott.

Sonja laughed a little and her nostrils flared slightly, a soft pink tinge rose across the bridge of her nose. “I’m glad that you think so.”

Scott helped her with her bags then found proper places for the food stores. He would not have to spend his Earth money on food for the rest of the month, unless Sonja wanted to go to a restaurant. Scott did not mind indulging her when she wanted to spend time eating out.

“So, what would you like to do now?” asked Sonja softly.

“Is there anything that you would like to do?” asked Scott. He still had a few minutes left before he could safely transform back into a human.

Her slight blush intensified for a moment then she looked away. “No, not really. Unless...”

“Unless, what?” asked Scott. He looked at her with a curious and sincere expression.

She cleared her throat then shook her head. She had thought of one thing that she would enjoy, but she already knew his thoughts on that subject. Instead, she offered him a nervous smile. “I... I suppose we could go for a walk once more? If that is alright with you master.”

“Oh? Is that all? Sure, but we’ll have to wait till I can be human.” said Scott.

Sonja placed her palms together then said, “Great!”

Scott took in the joyful expression that she wore then smiled. She had proven to be a really nice girl, and quite innocent in many ways. Her demeanor was a stark contrast to the way she had acted when they had first met.

“Sonja.” he said.

“Yes, master?” she asked him softly.

“You don’t have to ask my permission for things. You do know that, right?” he asked her.

She fidgeted a little then looked down and away. “I... don’t know about that.”

Scott dragon waddled over to her then rose up on his hind legs. He took her hands in his and he looked up at her. “You’re a slave in name only. It’s convenient for me, I suppose, but I don’t think of you as livestock or anything.”

Sonja bit down on her lower lip slightly. “I don’t mind...”

“I do.” He squeezed her hands gently then offered her a sincere crocodilian smile.

A soft glimmer appeared in her eyes just before she closed them. Scott could see wetness begin to form at the edge of eyes and her chest begin to rise and fall at an ever increasing pace.

“Why...?” she asked with a half-voiced sob.

“Hmm?” asked Scott.

Her eyes opened to reveal the fact that had begun to swell and redden. Hot tears trickled down her cheeks. “Why do you act like you care so much about me?”

Scott was taken aback. He was uncertain what to say to that. He generally did not care about anyone or anything, and yet he did care about the trembling girl who stood before him. He was no friend of justice, and normally did not give a damn about other people’s life situations. Yet, when he looked into her puffy red eyes and saw her trickling tears he could not deny the fact that he did care about her.

Whether by instinct, or a half-formed thought, it did not matter. Scott metamorphed into his human form, sans clothing. He did not undergo the lengthier process needed to transform properly because he felt a strong urge to hold the trembling girl.

Sonja gasped in surprise when her naked master wrapped his arms around her. Scott held her close then started to stroke her hair.

After a moment he drew back then looked into her eyes gently. Softly, he whispered, “You have been through a lot.”

Her eyes widened gently and her heart began to pound within her mighty chest. She sniffled a little then began to breathe a little harder.

Scott leaned forward and pressed his forehead against the crown of her head. “You’re worth caring about Sonja; even an asshole like me knows that.”

“Asshole?” she snorted loudly. “You’re the nicest man I’ve ever met in my life!”

Scott pulled back and looked at her with wide eyes and a disturbed expression. “Oh, you poor thing!”

Sonja blinked then laughed a little. “You are, though...”

Scott felt a little uncomfortable when faced with her innocent devotion. He tried to change the subject. “Nice guys wear pants, Sonja.”

She smiled shyly then slowly shook her head. “Don’t care...”

Scott started to say something else to change the subject but he found himself to be under a sudden, but sweet, assault.

Sonja lunged forward and kissed him softly on the lips. Her nose gently brushed against his and she pressed her body tightly against his.

Sonja whimpered softly as she kissed him then held him tighter. It seemed as though she wanted to become even closer than she already was, and was frustrated that she could not embrace him tighter.

Scott was unable to formulate a proper response for a moment. He certainly did not hate her affection, but he did not really know if it was right to allow this to continue. She was starved for true and honest affection, and he did not want to hurt her inadvertently.

He did the bravest, and stupidest, thing of his life. Scott forced himself to relax then counted down from five while Sonja did her best to merge with him. After the countdown ended he slipped his arms down and then lifted them back up between them. His quick, but reasonably gentle, motion pried them apart.

Sonja stood in place. Her chest heaved and she wore an expression of shock that quickly morphed into one that was forlorn.

Scott could not stand that expression. He pulled her back to him with one arm, and then kissed her softly on the lips. However, when she tried to wrap her arms around him once more he fended her off.

Sonja bit her lip then looked away. “I’m sorry; I know you don’t want me to do things like that.”

“I told you, you don’t need to ask me for permission to do things that you want.” said Scott after a moment.

She blinked then looked back up at him. He had just given her a fairly serious mixed signal. “Master...?”

“Scott, my name is Scott...” he said.

Sonja’s lips trembled softly then after a moment of inner-struggle she whispered, “Scott...”

He reached out his hands and cupped her cheeks in his palms. He rubbed her gently with his thumbs then smiled at her. “See, was that so bad about seeing me as someone other than your master?”

Tears came to her eyes once more. Scott could feel her skin tighten as her nostrils flared a little. “Scott...”

He leaned forward and kissed her softly on the forehead. She closed her eyes gently then sniffled softly. Once more she whispered, “Scott...”