Nova Academy

Bratty And The Beast

He couldn't keep things from his girlfriend, and when they got back it burst out of him.
"I— felt something strange when you touched my horns. A-at the hunt."

So they'd launched into conversation about it, Connie clearly already having a hundred thoughts she'd been holding back in case it was triggering.

She assured him that above all, she thought it was incredible and didn't make her see him as a monster. He told her there was a particular reason he didn't like shapeshifting anymore, and that was it. There was a roulette chance it might come with horns that only went away when everything went away.

"Can... Would it be okay if...?" She couldn't seem to get it out. Was it like asking to touch someone else's hair? Was it offensive how enamored she was with them?

He swallowed thickly. "Would you mind doing it in the dark?"

"Of course not, get over here and I'll close my eyes." She pressed her palms against them and hummed loudly like she was trying to ignore him completely. He laughed and dropped a peck on her cheek as he went to turn off the lights and shut the door.

He didn't know why he didn't want her to see him like this. It's not like he was really a monster again, he wasn't. He pushed the thought out of his head and focused on his powers. The stretching of his skin was always uncomfortable for a split second but after it was like it never happened. Like reverse CPR it sucked the oxygen from his lungs and then there was nothing at all, not even pain.

Steven scooped her up as he passed and sat her on the edge of the bed while he situated himself and then his wonderful girlfriend. The amount of trust between them was nothing fragile, it was firm and truthful. So she could touch.

This felt different from touching his gem, it felt more terrifying and made his head ask him a million questions. 'What if you turn into a monster again? Then what? Are you going to trudge home, destroying cities and hurting people when they fight back because they don't know any better? Do you really think what happened to you at 17 will happen again? What if she thinks you're weird? Why can't you be brave enough to show her for real? But then what? What if she finally snaps and leaves your monster ass for a better man? You'd never be able to change back, would you? Are you still broken, Steven?'

Connie's eyes were still closed as she was lost in thought. For some reason closing them gave her a bit more sensation in her hands even though it was dark. But now she was glad because her eyelids showed a bit of pink shine through them. "Shhhh..." She reached back to stroke his gem, then enveloped it with her hand gently. "I'm here. You're safe. I love you."

Her words dripped with honey and he felt himself relax a bit. This was okay, she was okay, and he would be too. She wouldn't hurt him.

He just felt so vulnerable.

He pulled her back up again, close enough to touch them and rested his head on the pillow. It was plush and cold, welcoming him after a long shower with his love. His hair was still slightly damp, and from all this nervous sweating he was doing he'd definitely have to take a shower again later.

The hybrid took a deep breath and lifted his head so she would know it was okay now to touch his horns. Her fingers landed on his forehead first and trailed up until she found them. He held back a gasp and let her explore for a minute, shivering as his brain felt like it was dimly lit. "You like them?" He asked uncertainly.

She straddled him with an intense hum over dreamily shut eyes. "Well, can't see, but I can feel them. Smooth and a little rougher in some places. They feel so gorgeous, Steven. You're gorgeous." She paused when she heard him grunt softly. Instantly her hands pulled away. "G-gosh I'm sorry Steven, I-I know this might be a little triggering. I overs–,"