Fight, Flight, or Gut You Like A Fish?

Chill Pill

》Veta pov《

Dinner seems stale when Ayull doesn't join us, his empty seat feels so lonely. Although Y/N is enjoying themselves as always.

"I'm just saying; if you told me this was poop, I'd still eat it." They claimed with a mouth full of food.

Bahtoh practically falls out of his chair with laughter, "In no universe would we ever feed you cjit!" 

The rest of the evening continued smoothly, Y/N finished eating and Bahtoh told them stories of our past hunts. Specifically the one when I fell into a swamp and accidentally inhaled some odd pollen. It made me see things all loopy, and made my head feel like air. I believe- how the 'oomans say- I was tripping balls. 

"And then Veta started laughing uncontrollably, to the point we thought about sedating him!" Bahtoh exclaims.

"Wow, I can't imagine you guys high. " Y/N giggled. "I mean- did he seriously sing the same song for three hours!?"

"Unfortunately, I did. Ayull will refuse to listen to that song now, and probably for forever."

Bahtoh continued his story, "That's nothing compared to the time Ayull ate a whole aphrodisiac plant, I mean Veta's thing was funny. But Ayull… I thought we were gonna die." 

"Bahtoh!" I smack his shoulder, "that part of the story was uncalled for." 

"But it was hilarious!" He laughed with his mouth full of food. "The look on your face when he scooped us up was adorable!"

Y/N laughed with him to the point their face turned red. They remind me much of me as a youngblood; so curious and easily entertained. Infatuated by those around me, and by whats new. Something I will never tire of I hope.

》 Bahtoh pov 《

I have to agree with Y/N, Veta's cooking is amazing. The first time I tasted it, I nearly cried. But still, over the amazing smell, I can feel Veta's confliction. 

Veta has always been Ayull's keeper- trying to keep his social identity positive and to keep him from starting a brawl every day. But now, Veta is trying to be Y/N's keeper as well, and that is only a recipe for disaster. He just needs a break from being the peacemaker…

"Veta, what do you say we take Y/N to the pools of Sugan?" 

Y/N pauses their story to glance at me, "pools of Sugan? What's that?" 

"It's a planet covered in strange pools of water." Veta lightens at a chance to teach, "They vary in size, depth, and chemical structure. Some pools can make you feel strong emotions, while others will make your mind numb." 

"Woah." They seem bewildered by this new information, their food completely forgotten.

Y/N hasn't even seen the planet, and already I can sense their curiosity- the smell of citrus, paired with a buzzing sensation. Even their eyes display wonder and imagination. 

"I will ask Ayull, we all know he needs a break from brooding."

》Ayull pov《

The door to the forge hissed as Bahtoh entered, an air of caution hung around him. He is right to tread carefully, at this moment I feel as though I want to kill anything that moves. Still, my body relaxes and my mind clears as I look into his eyes. 

No words are spoken as he comes closer, his body language submissive and his left hand reaching towards me. I accept the contact by placing my hand in his, to which a low purr starts in his chest. His thumb rubs idle circles on the back of my hand as he clears his throat. 

"We wish to go to Sugan, relax in the water, and clear our minds." Bahtoh requests as he presses his forehead to mine- standing up on his toes. 

The thought of lounging in the warm water, or hunting the giant fish makes my whiskers twitch. "I only need my mates to keep my mind clear." 

He hums in response, "Yes, but right now one of our mates needs you to help them clear their mind."

I growl as I move away from Bahtoh, despite his truth. My heart aches in my chest, too many emotions pulling on its strings. "They do not need me, they need you and Veta."

All I ecer do to Y/N is grow their caution, their fear of me. The look on their face after my rant was shattering, true betrayal filled the air and I couldn't face them after that. Even now I doubt I could look in their eyes.

"Ayull," Bahtoh comes closer again, "my thar'n-dha, you are so strong. But Y/N needs you to be weak." 

I grunt in confusion, his words making as much sense as a drunken Ulare.

"They need you to open up, they have only ever seen you as a warrior doused in pain. It is time they see you as a mate filled with love." 

Silence and warmth filled the air as images of Y/N smiling at me filled my head, not some smile at a joke, or an awkward moment. A smile for me. For that moment I didn't see Y/N as the 'ooman before, all I saw was Y/N.

"Very well, to Sugan we go."

God why did this take me so long >:/
Another late night chapter from my brain into your hands. I know chapters have slowed, but ya know things happen. Good news as allways I am gearing up to do some smexy smexy things with Bahtoh ;)

See yall soon
- The Author