I like to imagine that dragon tongues are really rough, like a cat's but 10x worse. They've evolved this way because they're specifically designed to "scrape" off old, hardened scales. Dragon scales themselves are smooth to the touch, but very durable a speeding arrow could not pierce an adult dragon's hide. Dragon tongues are also soothing, and probably carry some remedying agent on them or something (since dragons lick their wounds clean to heal).
Ember's not big on PDA at all, she actually finds it kind of unsettling, but her whole world kinda changes with Starlight. Dragon Lord is infatuated with her.
Ember lowkey becomes more dragon-y every time I draw her