Chapter 30: Ash the Foodie
As Bruce stepped inside the modest Ackerman home, the soft scent of healing herbs reached his nose. The curtains were pulled aside, letting moonlight spill into the living room, warming the wooden floors. Lily skipped in happily ahead of him, hugging Ash to her chest like a favorite stuffed toy. The tiny dragon flopped lazily in her arms, clearly enjoying the attention.
Bruce followed behind, holding a paper bag filled with snacks and supplies which he later handed over to her.
His mother, Lucy, was sitting on a small couch. A warm blanket was draped around her shoulders. Though she still looked slightly pale from earlier, her complexion had improved greatly since he healed her. Her gaze lifted, and when she saw Bruce, a gentle, trembling smile bloomed on her face.
"Bruce," she said softly, voice full of relief.
"I am back," he said simply, but those two words held weight, reassurance, and a silent promise.
Lucy brushed his cheek with her fingers, as if afraid he would disappear again. "You have been gone for hours. I thought..." She paused, exhaling shakily. "No. Never mind. You are home now. That is enough for me."
Before Bruce could respond, a small blur of energy bounded between them.
"Mom! Look!" Lily shouted proudly. "Big brother brought home a pet!"
Ash dangled from her arms like a limp pillow, face squished, flicking his tail mildly in annoyance.
Lucy blinked. "A-ah... what is that?"
"It is a dragon!" Lily declared excitedly.
Bruce corrected calmly, "Well, technically..."
"Ash!" Lily interrupted proudly. "His name is Ash and he loves candies and belly rubs!"
Ash chirped happily. "Kyuuu." Then he lifted a claw and waved at Lucy like a civilized gentleman.
Lucy froze. "Did it just wave at me?"
Bruce nodded as if this was perfectly normal. "Yes."
Lily pressed Ash closer to Lucy. "Mommy, touch him!"
"I do not think that is a good—"
Too late. Lily grabbed her mother’s hand and slapped it gently onto Ash’s forehead.
Ash purred.
Lucy hesitated, then slowly rubbed his head.
"He is warm," she said softly.
"Kyuuu." Ash nudged into her palm like a satisfied cat.
Lily grinned. "See? He likes you. That means he accepts you into the family."
Bruce squinted. "He accepts? Lily, this is our house. He joined our family, not the other way aro—"
"Shh. Do not hurt his feelings, big brother."
Ash shot Bruce a smug look. He somehow understood Lily’s words. He was extremely intelligent, and Bruce found that extremely interesting.
Bruce glared back. The dragon glared harder, sneakily eyeing the bunch of candies in Lily’s hands.
A silent war began between man and tiny dragon. But when Bruce noticed what it was aiming for he could not help but laugh silently.
"Hehe." Lucy noticed too and could not hold back a laugh. It was a small one, but warm and real. It filled the room with life.
She looked at Bruce, eyes softening with gratitude. "Thank you. Not just for saving us, but for today. The house feels alive again."
Bruce exhaled and nodded. "It should stay that way."
Lily raised her hand suddenly. "Big brother! I have a question!"
Bruce looked at her cautiously. "What?"
She held Ash in front of him like a sacred offering. "Is Ash going to sleep in my room?"
"No," Bruce replied instantly.
"Yes," Lily argued, clutching Ash tighter.
Ash nodded aggressively. "Kyuu!"
Bruce narrowed his eyes. "He is sleeping in my room. He is my contracted beast."
Lily gasped dramatically, as if betrayed. "Big brother, how could you say that?! Does that mean you love Ash more than me?!"
Bruce froze. Trap question. He could practically see red warning words flashing in his mind.
"No, Lily. I love you more—"
Ash slapped his cheek with his little tail.
Bruce. "..."
Lucy covered her mouth as her shoulders trembled. She was trying not to laugh.
Lily looked smug. Ash looked smug.
Sighing, Bruce pinched the bridge of his nose. "This is going to be a long night."
Lucy cleared her throat gently. "Come, Bruce. You must be hungry. I will get you something to eat."
"I want Ash to get food too," Lily insisted immediately, hugging the dragon even tighter as if worried Bruce would say no.
Ash, hearing his name, lifted his head and chirped pitifully, like a starving orphan from a tragic play.
Bruce sighed. Though Ash did not show it, Bruce could feel it. The dragon was hungry. Dangerously hungry. The kind of hunger that came from evolution and growth, not just an empty stomach.
"Just hold on, Ash. Tomorrow, once I get an adventurer’s badge and dungeon rights, I will feed you properly. I promise."
Lucy soon returned from the small kitchen carrying a plate. "Here, Bruce. It is still warm."
The scent hit him first. Spiced gravy, slow-cooked broth, and toasted grain. He blinked in surprise. The dish was a Velmoran stew, made of hearty root vegetables, tender monster-boar meat, and fluffy white grain bread on the side. It felt strangely nostalgic, like something he might have eaten long ago, back on Earth.
He accepted it with a small nod. "Thank you."
"I am making something for Ash too," Lucy added, already turning back to the kitchen.
A minute later she returned again, this time with a massive platter stacked with roasted meat. Steak-like slabs of monster-beast meat seared golden brown and dripping with juices. Bruce blinked.
"We had this much meat?"
Lucy shrugged with a tired but gentle smile. "Well, life gets hard sometimes. A little extra meat makes hard days easier."
Bruce had no idea whether to laugh or say something heartfelt.
Before he could decide, the plate hit the floor.
CHOMP.
Ash did not wait. He dove into the mountain of meat like a fluffy black thunderbolt and began shredding it apart.
RIP!
KRUNCH!!
GOBBLE!!!
GLURPP!!!!
In five seconds, the platter was empty.
Lily just stood there, jaw open. "He inhaled it."
Ash licked his claws. "Kyuu."
Lucy stared at the empty tray in horror. "I just set that down."
Bruce rubbed his forehead. "I thought he would have manners."
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A/N:
I NEED THEM STONES. PLS VOTE