Never in a million years would Inferno have called himself father material. He never planned on becoming a father anyway, instead opting to spend his life messing around with dragonesses and building a gem horde that he’d have all to himself. A pretty easy life, he envisioned.

But all that changed when Inferno was left with an egg—which was probably his—and forced to take care of it. He still wasn’t father material; he didn’t know the first thing about raising a whelp and the mother was nowhere to be found. He probably would’ve thrown it away had Emerald Beetle not showed up to help. But having the half-changeling around did make it easier…plus he was decent company.

It had been awhile since Inferno ended up with the egg, and he had no idea when it would hatch. But Em seemed to know, as recently he had begun watching it constantly. Whatever. He can play mom.

One day Inferno was awoken from a nap by an excited squeal.

“It’s hatching! It’s hatching!”

“Hm, it’s hatching…” his eyes shot open. “Wait, what? Seriously?”

“Yeah! Get over here!”

Inferno swooped down from the top of his horde to where the egg was perched, meeting Em who was already watching in glee.

Oh Dragon Lord, it’s hatching.

The dragon felt himself grow panicked as he watched the egg quiver and crack. This was really it. He was going to be a father. Shit, did he have what it takes? Probably not, but it was happening anyway.

Soon enough, the egg cracked open and a little orange face with big, blue eyes peeked out.

“Oh my gosh!” Emerald grinned. “Hey there, kid!”

“I-it’s here…” Inferno stammered. “It…it’s really here.”

“I know! Isn’t it awesome? We’re dads now!”

“I’m a dad,” Inferno corrected. “I’m…a dad.”

“Whatcha gonna call her?” Emerald asked. “We called her egg Amber. She kinda looks like magma too,” he pondered. “Amber Magma?”

“Sure…” Inferno uttered, still at a loss for words.

“She’s so cute!” Emerald reached out to the newly-hatched whelp and cooed. “Aren’t you, kiddo—OW!”

The hybrid dragon reeled back as the whelp bit his claw.

Despite his nerves, Inferno couldn’t help but chuckle at this.

“Yep. That’s my kid.”