"Do you… blame me?"
The old Dragon Emperor turned to face Chronos, his eyes shimmering with a blend of hope and sorrow.
He reached out and pulled his grandson into a warm, enveloping hug, as if trying to make up for years of absence.
"For what?" Chronos inquired, pulling back.
He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, dispersing the tears that had snuck up on him.
The Dragon Emperor's face twisted in complexity, a tangle of regret, self-reproach, and a plea for understanding all in one.
"For disappearing right before you needed me the most…"
Chronos paused, weighing his words before shaking his head gently.
"I don't resent the experiences that have made me who I am today."
The taut lines on the Dragon Emperor's face eased.
His smile broke through like the first ray of dawn, full of pride and relief, as he patted Chronos's head fondly.
Changing gears, Chronos asked,
