Aly just giggled.

"Dunno." she replied.

"Depends on... a lot of things." she said.

"Depends mostly on his ladyfriend." she then added.

"I guess we'll see when he's back." she then reasoned, before thinking about it some.

"Also depends on his 'other side'." she muttered.

Aly hadn't fallen asleep like Eke had, but she was cuddled up next to him.

"Mmm." she mumbled, as she closed her eyes and got comfortable, next to the man she loved.

Meanwhile, at the same time, two others were exiting the restaurant that they had decided to go to.

"Eh-heh." Ryker chuckled.

"That was a really good dinner." he commented.

"Didn't know a place like that existed here."

"Well, I DO get rather hungry." Ryker admitted.

"And how did I meet Eke?" he asked.

"Uhhh... well..." he mumbled, laughing nervously.

"Eke was in the middle of a forest, lost and alone." he told her.

"And he happened to stumble upon me... on a rock... waiting for the cursed wolves to show up and... rip me limb from limb." he then said.

"Yeah, I was out there actively trying to die."

"Eh-heh." Ryker chuckled.

"Yeah. He did stop me." he said.

"I begrudgingly tagged along with him, as I didn't want anything bad to happen to him. And over time, he just... well... gave me a reason to live." he told her.

"Guess I found value in living after a while." he shrugged.

"...and I'm glad I met you too." he then said, holding her hand in his.

"I never knew that something like this would happen to me." he admitted with a slightly red face as well.

Ryker's face turned a little redder, and he nodded.

"R-right." he said, before the demon took over.

"Real talk, you're all right." he told the female.

"I've met worse dragons." he said.

"You're not totally objectionable to be around." he added, crossing his arms over his chest.

Ryker walked inside, the demon giving control back.

"......." he was silent for a moment.

"Geez." he muttered.

"MORE reasons to continue living?" he asked the air.

"...guess I shouldn't complain." he said further.

"Man... how did it all come to this... from wanting to end my own life, and that being impossible... to THIS?" he went on, before he just leaned against the wall, slowly collapsed to his ass, and started to laugh at himself.

Ryker had just finished laughing, and looked at Eke.

"Huh? Oh, sorry." he apologised.

"Didn't realise how loud I was being." he said.

"Yeah, clearly, I'm home. And don't mind my sitting on the floor." he went on.

"Just looking back on my life and laughing."

Ryker watched as Eke fell asleep again, and gently tousled his hair.

"Heh." he chuckled.

"Eke... thank you." he said.

"You started all this. You put me on the path of life being worth living." he whispered.

"Thank you." he repeated.

He then sighed and got himself positioned so that he'd be a comfortable pillow for Eke, as he was sure the dragon would sleep through the night now.

About 30 seconds after Eke woke up, Ryker did as well, stretching and getting up.

"Good morning!" he called to Eke.

"Sleep well!?" he asked with a small laugh.

"...hm. I should shower." he then mumbled to himself.

"Spent the night in these clothes." he added, going to get himself a coffee, headed to the kitchen as well.

Ryker watched Eke get the stuff out, before stretching... his joints cracking as he did so.

"Thanks." he said.

"That'll help a lot." he told him.

"I shouldn't be long. 20 minutes or so." he added.

"Want me to wake Aly?" he then asked.