Fight, Flight, or Gut You Like A Fish?

Hmm what's this?

》Y/N pov《

'Holy shit!'

That was… wow. Now I understand Veta's warning. Opening my eyes the ceiling stares back at me. My nerves still pleasantly buzz with contempt, my stomach on the other hand rumbles with hunger. It appears that Veta took liberty in getting me dressed back into the comfy clothes. It smells as though he washed them too. Another rumble from my stomach and I know it's time to get up.

Thankfully I am able to wobble myself to the door, it opens as I approach. The empty halls greet me, but I'm confident enough to find my way. I say that now, but in all honesty I'll probably get lost in a few minutes. No matter, I'll find my way around! Slowly but surely a smell fills the air. 

'Veta's cooking!'

I can't help the smile that spreads on my face. The thought of eating more of his cooking sits well with my stomach, and so like any cartoon character, I follow the smell. 

Right I was, because as I walk through another door the kitchen is now before me. Ayull and Bahtoh are looking over a tablet on the couch, while Veta is cooking of course. Bahtoh glances up from the tablet and begins a low purr.

"You wake." Bahtoh states as he rises from the couch. "Nice to know Veta didn't go too hard on you."

"Well, I'm sure you know more about his tendencies than I do." I say as heat rises in my face.

"Enough of that. How are you feeling?" Ayull questioned. 

"I feel light, like air." I sigh, "but the soreness is noticeable."

"I imagine." Bahtoh comes close to me, his body towering even without all the armor.

》Bahtoh pov《

From the moment Y/N entered the room I could smell the aftermath on them. Now with me standing right next to them, the smell is intoxicating. It takes everything in me not to just pounce them, despite my own insides being sore from Ayull. 

"Come sit, Veta is almost done cooking." I reach down, but pause a moment, "May I pick you up?"

Their eyes widen for a second, before a small smile tugs at their face. "Yeah, thanks for asking this time."

Reaching down, and placing my hands on their sides, I lift them up to my chest. Much like how Veta first held them. Their front rests against my chest, legs wrapped around my sides as far as they can. Whilst my right arm supports their weight and my left cradles their back. Almost instantly I can feel their muscles relax against me, maybe Veta went harder than we thought.

Despite my body temperature being higher than theirs, they still feel so warm. The purr starts high in my throat, making them giggle.

"What's got you so happy?" Y/N hums into my shoulder.

 
"You have me so happy," I take a deep sniff of the air, of them. "Your presence is calming. And you smell wonderful."

"Can you smell-"

"I can smell everything, especially Veta on, in, you."

I can feel heat rising in my 'oomans face as I sit back on the couch. 

》Y/N pov《

'How can someone be so warm?'

Honestly it's like Bahtoh is made of sun rays, even Ayull radiates heat. The cold calculating, but caring Ayull. He's an odd one. 

I can tell he wants to be my partner, my mate. But he still distances himself from me; why? As I look at him now he focuses on a tablet full of images, words I imagine. I don't focus on that, instead I look at him. His muscles, scars, horns, and eyes. They're harsh against the dark tones of his skin, but that just makes his eyes more attractive.

"It's no fair." 

Bahtoh and Ayull jump slightly at my blurted out nonsense. Red looks down, pausing his purrs, "What is unfair?"

"You guys are so effortlessly pretty, it's no fair." 

Veta chuckles from the kitchen. "If only you knew."

"Yautjas' actually do a lot to care for themselves." Ayull glances at me. "From displaying our scars, and trophies. To using body paints as a storyteller. We put quite a lot into appearances." 

"Yautjas? Is that what you guys are?" 

"Yes, and I'm sure Ayull would love to tell you more. After a meal, and some training." Veta calmly states as he sets the food out.

Bahtoh shuffles me onto my own feet and walks us over to the table. Ayull follows suit. 

On each plate is an array of blue plants, decorated with a green sauce. While in the middle seems to be some sort of animal's head holding another animal in its mouth. 

'Interesting?'

"Y/N I have a question." Halfway into our meal Ayull speaks up, still holding the tablet in one hand.

"What is it?" I take a gulp from a giant glass of water.

"How do 'oomans deal with pests? Invaders?" 

"Well…"

There's something off in the way Ayull asks the question. Not to mention the effect it seems to have on Veta and Bahtoh. They both seem to tense, Bahtoh going unusually still. While Veta takes a giant bite of food.

"Most of the time,  when a home has pests they'd chase off the critters. Or scare them away with traps, other animals, or just straight up hunt the pests."

Ayull hums as he turns back to the tablet.

"But in severe cases they'd call an exterminator, someone to kill the things before it becomes too bad." All of their eyes land in me, before shifting to one another.

"Thank you Y/N. Once you are done eating, go get dressed for training." Veta takes another bite of food.

I can't shake this feeling of unease.  They're planning something; but what? Poking at the last bits of my food I try to fit the pieces together, but to no avail. I walk back to my room with a full stomach, but a hungry mind. 

And I intend to quench that hunger.

Bababooey!!!
Another late night/ early morning chapter in the bag!
I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter, and I hope everyone's prepared for the ines that follow.
While I don't have any method to how I'm going to write the next chapters, in my head its gonna be intense! dramatic! Heart wrenching! Anger evoking! And down right juicy!! ;)
So while my dear readers wait for the next chapter, I want all of you to drink some water, maybe touch some grass. And take care of yallself .

Have a lovely time my darling readers
Yours truly~ the Author