Some headcanons for dragon bonding/affection/friendly body language and social customs (etc.):
Guardians: Extend a wing over smaller dragons to comfort and shelter them; make a deep rumbling noise when very happy or content (this can last for several minutes and be rather startling to dragons who’ve never heard it before).
Wildclaws: Lots of nuzzling and playful mouthing, especially when young; resting their heads and long necks on another dragon’s back.
Imperials: Gentle nuzzles and licks are common, along with some rubbing/scent marking. Highly bonded imperials will often touch and entwine their sensitive whiskers together for long periods, a form of intimacy that seems odd to other breeds. They also purr softly when very content.
Pearlcatchers: Not very physically affectionate; prefer to have deep conversations as a form of bonding. Pearlcatcher pairs may briefly touch whiskers, or drape them over close friends/mates of another breed, but do not entwine them like Imperials. Touching the whiskers of a Pearlcatcher who isn’t comfortable with you is a major social transgression among Pearlcatchers.
Skydancers: Careful, extensive preening sessions - you know you’re friends with a Skydancer when they start trying to groom you. Sometimes they will try to groom dragons they have upset/are not on good terms with as a form of appeasement.
Tundra: Sniffing and rubbing/scent-marking. A Tundra who rubs its scent on you has declared you a good friend. If a dragon is friendly with many Tundra, they may go to sleep alone and wake up surrounded by a protective circle of Tundra, all facing outward to watch for danger.
Mirrors: Half-lid their eyes or close their foremost set of eyes when comfortable with someone, as a wide-eyed stare would indicate aggression. An extremely comfortable mirror (especially a young one) will often flop their sinuous body over you and sleep on you in a variety of odd positions. Aggressive “love-bites” and scratches also occur, and a mirror may leave a bite or scar on another dragon to say “mine”.
Spirals: Coiling around another dragon. It’s not uncommon to see an Imp or Guardian trying to walk and go about their daily business while a spiral coils lovingly around their limbs.
Snappers: Not very physically affectionate, except for the occasional gentle headbutt. May produce a deep rumble/hum when content, similar to Guardians.
Coatl: Hum softly while flicking their tongues slowly as an expression of pleasure and peace. Gift-giving (in the form of small precious metals or gems) is an important bonding custom.
Fae: Perch and sleep on larger dragons, and keep a keen watch on friends from a distance. They seem aloof and unkind to many other breeds, even when being their most friendly.
Ridgebacks: Like Guardians, they will extend a wing to shelter smaller dragons. They have a penchant for bonding through storytelling and borrowing games rather than physical means.
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