It was very noticeable to Gabriel when Casey tensed up and he moved from their neck for a moment to lick their cheek affectionately before returning to snuffling around, going from their neck to under one of their arms, snout going straight into their armpit. He wanted to learn every bit about them as quickly as possible so that he felt more comfortable with them.

"Our soulmates, yes," he confirmed, his voice slightly muffled by his snout being pressed against their body and inhaling their scent. "You're mine. I knew from the moment I met you that you were mine. That's why you're not normal. You're a dragonaught."