Zohar liked waking, to Lemon. He liked nuzzling her and pestering her into one of the robes that were sent over. He liked looking over her hair clips before offering one. Lemon would glance at him chuckle and tack it swirling her hair into it’s latest confection and would turn and get his opinion. He never failed in giving it.

  Then they’d open the shop. From what Zohar gathered about Cronlen and his men were they were kicked out over the past couple nights. They’d made a mistake attacking Fren. The Tabaxi clan were staples of the black market community. They kept everyone alive, took in stray children and ensured they were fed and received some sort of education. In fact the school was run by the Tabaxi clan. So even the most hardened parts of the black market protected that area. Those individuals.

  Aiming for a child of a group that protects the children was truly a terrible choice.

  With Cronlen gone those hovering outside with greedy looks toward Lemon didn’t cease. No they’d grown. People approached her constantly trying to either lure her away like a child. Or try to convince her they could offer her a safer place then what he had. Zohar now noticed the flirting and he’d found some flirting didn’t bother him. Usually that was the kind that Lemon did the back and forth with. Lemon explained it as social flirting where it meant nothing but. When Lemon roll her eyes and turned away, the flirting annoyed Zohar. When Lemon bore her teeth, Zohar rumbled with irritation and would snap at them until they left.

  He’d tried flirting and continued to try because when he tried to flirt she lit up and she kissed him and she flirted back and often they ended up kissing for a mind numbingly long time.

  “Fren, Jib.” Lemon’s happy voice pulled Zohar out of his thoughts. The two boys still walked through the deliveries but now one of the large scarred Tabaxi men followed a bit behind then glancing around daring anyone to try anything. The boys it seemed really liked Lemon and Lemon seemed to really like them offering lots of praise and affection.

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  Zohar with the approval of the market made his own back docking out of apart of his wall. He himself had hired guarding for it he technically owned the entire landing so technically he hadn’t had to ask for permission but Zohar felt it was a level of respect when it involved business. The outside area near the water with the little sitting area and the bits of plant boxes though he hadn’t asked permission for and they lit up Lemon’s eyes when she’d seen it.

  Lemon liked rocky outside, she liked plants, she liked water. She liked reading outside. She liked sleeping outside when the sun was up. She liked being able to look at shipments.

  Zohar liked giving it to her. Liked ensuring she could have more area she was safe. He liked after being apart for a bit bumping around the areas searching for her and finding her absorbed in something, or fast asleep.

  Lemon was gardening while he received a shipment he’d been anticipating. When he’d contacted Higorn the man had already prepared a detailed list of different types of energy crystals and his letter complimented and scolded him for figuring it out this fast. He was also sent many, many texts about energy crystals and he’d assured a good deal of them were in writings Lemon knew.

  Lemon stood and walked over to look at the shipment. Her face went hesitant like it had been since he’d mentioned his desire for her to practice taking little bits from him.

  “Zohar.” Lemon breathed. “If I can’t” She started the argument she always gave and he kissed her.

  “I am large and I can fly.” He offered. Lemon hissed out a breath and glared at him.

  “Whatever you say Dragon.” She hissed out and he nuzzled her happily. Then he fell into his ideas with the energy crystals that could hold bits of energy on her belt that she could take from to use outside to protect herself. In these moments another look crossed Lemon’s face true surprise before she looked away. It always surprised Lemon when he tried to make her space wider and ensure she could be safe doing it.

  She didn’t talk about the whys of that but Zohar had the feeling it had to do with her mother. Most things he’d connected had to do with her mother.