“We’ve been doing that,” Rux pointed out. “We’re extremely mysterious. Sam doesn’t even know we’re dragons.”
“Right, but this article says mystery is good. This other article” - Mabon switched tabs - “says mystery is manipulative and I should ‘be myauthentic self and let vulnerability create connection.’”
“Your authentic self is a two-thousand-year-old dragon who wants to carry him to our hoard and never let him leave,” Urien said flatly. “How’s that for vulnerability?”
Mabon ignored him, clicking through to a relationship advice forum. “Someone here says to make him jealous by flirting with other people.”
“No.” Rux’s voice came out in a growl. “Absolutely not.”
“I’m just reading what it says.”
“Read something else.”
Mabon found a blog post titledThe Five Love Languages. He skimmed it quickly. “Apparently, humans express affection through five distinct methods. Words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch.”
“We gave him gifts,” Rux said. “Excellent gifts.”
“Which he took to the pub to verify their authenticity.”
“Because we didn’t include words of affirmation,” Urien suggested. “Maybe the gifts needed notes explaining our intentions.”
“We left notes.”
“‘Have a nice day’ isn’t exactly a declaration of devotion.”
Mabon pulled up another tab. “According toHow to Win Friends and Influence People, I should remember details about Sam’s life and reference them in conversation to demonstrate genuine interest.”
“We know his favorite coffee, his work schedule, his cat’s name, where he lives, what size jumper he wears…” Rux caught Mabon’s expression. “That sounds bad when I list it out loud.”
“Very bad.”
“But we learned those things through careful observation, not…”
“Stalking?” Urien supplied.
“I was going to say courting.”
Mabon scrolled through a rom-com analysis piece. “Apparently, the keyto romantic success is a grand gesture. Something that proves devotion and overcomes all obstacles.”
“Like what?”
“This article references standing outside someone’s window with a boombox. Chasing them through an airport. Interrupting their wedding.”
“Sam’s not getting married,” Rux said.
“The point is scale. Drama. Proving that nothing matters more than winning their heart.”
Urien leaned forward. “What kind of grand gesture?”
Mabon kept reading. Examples scrolled past - flash mobs, skywriting, elaborate proposals, public declarations of love.
His dragon stirred uncomfortably. All of it felt too performative and too focused on spectacle rather than Sam himself.
“Here.” Mabon found another article. “Why Grand Gestures Are Toxic. ‘Public declarations create pressure and remove agency. True romance respects boundaries and builds trust through consistent actions rather than overwhelming displays.’”
“So grand gestures are both essential and toxic,” Rux said. “Helpful.”
“Wait.” Mabon clicked on a link titledUnderstanding Attachment Styles in Modern Dating. “This might be relevant.”
