X Everyone: Dino

One day, Dino found a fallen bird’s nest with a single, unbroken robin’s egg. He carried it in his mouth to her fence. Luna, trembling, came outside. He lowered his head to the ground. She touched his snout. It was warm and leathery, like a sun-baked baseball glove.

Samira complained that Dino spent more time at the library. “He brought me the quartz first!”

Mr. Hemlock grumbled that Luna got to ride on Dino’s back, and he was too old for such adventures. “Favoritism!” he huffed. dino x everyone

The mayor called a town meeting. Dino stood outside the town hall, his head bowed, his crest a dim, sad gray. He heard them shouting. Who does he love most? Who is his favorite?

Samira laughed. Mr. Hemlock patted Dino’s neck. Luna squeezed a bit of each of their hands. One day, Dino found a fallen bird’s nest

He blew a soft, warm puff of air into her hair. She giggled—the first laugh her father had heard in a year. Dino became her guardian. He’d let her braid his tail with dandelions and use his back as a slide. Her fear didn’t vanish, but it had a friend now.

He didn’t understand. He had never chosen. He had simply… loved. He lowered his head to the ground

And he loved them. Every single one. Unfairly, completely, and without reason. Because that, Dino knew, was the only way to love.