I was growing inordinately attached to someone I only met a
week
ago. In a world I barely know, a life that has little to no structure, and
a body that was not mine
and might not even stay mine, forever.
"This is... concerning."
But even as I tried to
dismiss the unease and urges
, another thought emerged. If I was going to send this to her like I did with the fish... shouldn’t I include myself in the photo? Even if the looks were Helene’s, it’s not as if I don’t
like
them.
> The real achievement is mine. Citra Lomdi is the one in control, now. No need to existential panic about that every time something comes up. Why did her hypothetical pride in my achievement seem to matter more than my own satisfaction for a while there? Is it the mate bond? Don’t give me that look. This doesn’t mean anything deep. I just... appreciate competent people recognizing competence in others. That’s all. If I knew anyone else’s number I’d send it to them too! Maybe even buy her dinner for once - instead of always being the recipient of her generosity. <
The thought of the look on her face at me
offering
sends a warmth sprawling inside me that makes Vrika bark twice before circling and curling up in my soul. With
a final impression
that makes my eyes snap open.
"No, people can have dinner without marking each other! Beast foxes can even spend time hunting together for a while before they ever... damnit, you stupid wolf - what are you making me think about again?!"